Gary Paulsen Books

I read this book a few years ago, and it practically had me rolling on the floor laughing at times. Finally got it for myself to own, and it's still every bit as good. Gary Paulsen has a wonderful way with words, and is an excellent storyteller. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone.

One of the most entertaining books I have ever read. After reading one of the other reviews where the criticism was the authors lack of writing skills, for-gedda-bout-it. This book wasn't meant for your English Lit class. It's about one crazy dude's journey. It's funny, it's gritty, it's real, and if you're a dog lover, it's both happy and sad. I give it 10 thumbs up (ok, so I'm "all thumbs").

Very disappointing book. Boring, lots of padding. Poor and repetative story line. Not well written. Couldn't even read it to the end which I'm sad about as I love books and don't give up easily.

This book is outstanding.

Some of it is written in the manner of a tall tale, so I had moments when I doubted the narrator's credibility. But then I thought about it. Who cares! It's funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting. "Fine madness" is the point, after all.

Some people may think this is a stretch, but I see this book as a healthy mixture of Hemingway's prose, Faulkner's yarns, and an enthusiasm for animals

This book is going to stay with me for a long time, and for that reason, I recommend it to a broad range of readers.

You will enjoy this book.

Very interesting account of Gary Paulsen's experience preparing for and running the Iditarod. Although it identifies some of the colder sides of nature, it is a warm wonderful book with an excellent sense of humor...one that makes you laugh out loud as you read. This hard to put down book will leave you looking at life in a different way.

Here is one terrific writer who as a parent I would encourage you and your kids to select from some terrifically written books especially for kids who don't read enough or haven't grasp the value of well written books!

I read with both of your younger kids to keep them honest (i.e no shortcuts) and to insure they have comprehended the story well enough to have something meaningful discussion to talk about.

What I enjoyed most about this book was it brought back old memories of how low wages and pay was as a kid hustling for odd jobs in the 1950's and 60's just to have money in your pocket... not like today as Paulsen reflects how life was life when he was 16 in 1955 and hitchhiked 300 miles to get a job at the Birds Eye fresh-frozen vegetable plant at an astounding wage of one dollar and five cents per hour ($8.40 per day).

Also the other thought that crossed my mind reading this particular book was now I know how the famous celebrity "EVEL KNIEVEL" who was captured attention for performing similar stunts on his motorcycle in the 70's came about...

Mr. Paulsen - Thank you for the wonderful gift and legacy you have given readers of all ages!

Have you ever wanted to set a world record? Have you ever wanted to do something crazy? The characters in Gary Paulsen's How Angel Peterson got his Name do just that. At the age of 13, Paulsen and his friends break the world record on skis, wrestle with a bear, jump through a hoop of fire, and more.
The characters in the book have the same mind as young adult. It is a good choice for boys and some girls ages 11- 15 because they can relate to Gary Paulsen and his friends. This book is action packed and the fun never stops. Gary wants to tell his friends not to do the amazing stunts that they do because they might get hurt but he has the curiosity to keep his mouth shut. He wonders what will happen to Angel while breaking the record, what will happen to Orvis when he wrestles the bear?
Breaking the world record of 74 miles an hour on skis isn't easy, especially when you live where there aren't any hills. Another thing, there wasn't safety gear. The trouble starts when they pass the record at 82 miles an hour. They hit a place with out snow and Angel flies off his skies. Later he told his friends that he heard the Angels sing. They were singing "Your Cheatin' Heart" by Hank Williams."
Orvis Orvison wasn't very popular and was always being beaten up at school. He also couldn't talk to girls. So he got the girls' attention by showing off. Whenever there were girls around he would always be two feet higher or jump five feet farther then his friends. At the carnival he saw a sign that said wrestle with a bear for one minute win $25. Orvis saw some girls and got in the ring with the bear.
A New York Times Best Seller and a 2004 winner for the ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Paulsen's memoir about his childhood is not to be missed by middle school readers who want to read a book that will put a smile on their face. Teen readers will be able to find similarities between themselves and the characters in the book.

Book review of How Angel Peterson Got His Name

How Angel Peterson Got His Name is a book about a group of 12 year old boys doing crazy stunts and hilarious pranks. Each of these kids has a crazy and stupid dream or stunt that they want to accomplish. Even though they could end up dead if not very close to it, they still try. Gary Paulsen does a great gob describing all of these stunts and giving you a great picture of what is going on in the book.
Although this book is chopped up into little stories each with a stupider and crazier stunt than the last, it's still funny and a great book to read. But since there are just a bunch of little stories that fit into one which sort of makes it easier to read because you're not having to keep track of one big story. Rather than just a bunch of little stories so if you don't like one story you can just read the next one and see if you like it. That's why I would recommend this book to struggling readers that don't like to read big books because they are ether hard to understand or that if you miss a part then you may have skipped an important part in knowing the story.
Overall this is a great book with a crazy and outrageous changing plot full of surprising and funny twists along with all of the stupid stunts. In the end almost all the kids have gotten in trouble or hurt.

Pretty much all readers who have read this book say How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen is a great quick read. It's a great book for reluctant and struggling readers. It's a good book for these people because number one it's a short book but long chapters which is good because it will make the reader read to the end of the chapter, number two it's a very funny book, and number three there's quite a bit of characters so there will be quite a bit of similarity between the reader and the characters.
There isn't really a main character in this story it's all about a group of kids and the things they do for fun or to get girls to like them. Some of the kids will do anything to get girls attention. For example, a memorable scene is when, this one kid tries to wrestle a bear at the carnival, but the first few times he doesn't do it, but then he tries one more time and succeeds by getting tortured by the bear, because the objective is to stay in the rink for 1 minute. And then there was when the kids were really bored they decided to skateboard in the street and hold on to the back of the cars to go really fast.
By the end of the book, readers are hung off with questions like what would happen if our world was just like this book, or what would happen if the people in our world were like the people in the book.

I thought that I could totally relate to this book because I am also his age and I thought it was awsome to compare each other. This book always kept you on the edge of what they would do next.It was a funny book and was a book with morals. If your the type that likes funny and true stories, this is the book for you.

I really enjoyed reading Lisa's book, "Running With Champions". I thought it gave a great "insiders look" at what it really takes to run the Iditarod. As a reader, it was overwhelming to read about the physical preparations it takes just to get your gear and dogs ready... the endless hours of running the dogs, and of course, learning how "NOT" to do things. That is ALL before you get to the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage!

I thought that her writing style was engaging, and she was more than willing to share the ups and downs of her adventures. I enjoyed her sense of humor about the goof ups, and accidents she had during training. I thought her insights into living with and training with one of the "Big Dogs" of mushing, Jeff King, was fascinating. I have often wondered what makes these mushers tick.

I have read other books by other female mushers, and by far, Lisa's book was the most engaged, and engaging. Very thoughtful, warm and fun... Thanks for writing this book for us middle-aged gals!

Lisa was the tour guide on our 9 hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali NP in September and did a great job. Great on stories, history, and of course her dogs. The book is just like talking to Lisa. She has a very outgoing personality and a true love of Alaska - this comes through clearly in her book as well. This book also makes a great gift.

As others who reviewed this book, I too met the author and her husband, but not in Alaska, but in Belize, Central America of all places! After a sailing trip in a group, my friend and I had breakfast with them one morning. Off-handedly, she mentioned the experience and book. 7 months later after looking at some photos, I was reminded of it, and sent for it.
What a nice surprise! I Loved it! Not only was it interesting and inspiring, but the girl can write too! I cried several times and cheered her on. I'm passing it on to my neighbor for her trip this weekend. My only regret is that I hadn't known about her or her book before we met briefly. I would have talked her ear off with questions. So, when's the movie coming out!

I visited Alaska this year in early March during the week before the Iditerod and went to Lisa Frederic's book signing, bought the book, and absolutely loved it. She has the insight, humility and sense of humor to convey the exhilaration and the strain of this adventure. She was also very accessible and easy to talk to, brought her dogs with her, and read just enough of the book to make me want to buy it and read it. This book helped me understand and appreciate the race and the time I spent in Alaska. I can not recommend it enough.

On a recent trip to Alaska's Denali National Park, my wife and I were fortunate to have an extremely knowledgeable tour guide who had spent the last 27 years in Alaska, first as a commercial fisherman(or fisherwoman) and now as a dog trainer/fisherman/tour guide. Only in passing, at the end of our delightful 8 hour tour, did she mention that she had completed the Iditarod (at age 42). Seeing this obviously healthy, energetic, and outgoing person and hearing this rather incredible story certainly piqued our interest. As we were leaving, she also mentioned that she had written an account of her adventure "Running with Champions". At our first stop, at the Denali Wilderness Center, we found the book and both of us read it in the next three days. I only hope that Alaskan travelers can have the pleasure of Lisa's company on the Denali tour and share in her story and extensive knowledge of this great state and National Park. If Alaska isn't in your plans, please read this book and share Lisa's love of life, dogs, and the challenges of the Alaska frontier.

After reading this book I don't think you could disagree with that statement. I mean, these people worked - HARD.

I am addicted to books about homesteading, living off the land, and the days of farming and this is one of the best homesteading books I have read in a long, long time. It was broken up into seasons, with a description of the work required on a farm back in the 30's with the start of each season. Though I finished the book feeling like a big lazy louse, I was also inspired to be more hands-on in my day-to-day life and quit taking my can-opening, freezer meal, fresh produce existence for granted.

My favorite book, hands down. I have read this through completely many dozens of times, and re-read favorite passages regularly. Very well-written, evocative, beautiful, simply a great book. Anytime I need an escape, or a recharge, I pick this book up and read a few paragraphs or pages. I highly, highly recommend this book.

I grew up on a small family farm in rural Michigan, the type of farm that was vanishing even as I grew up on it. Since I grew up in the 1950's, many of the episodes and scenarios depicted in Gary Paulsen's Clabbered Dirt, Sweet Grass pre-date my youth, but enough do not that I can assure you that Paulsen has captured the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells and even the textures of the events he pictures in words. New calves, for example do not know how to drink from a bucket and must be taught, because the purpose of having a dairy cow is the sale of her milk, and if the calf is allowed to suck, it will as Paulsen says "ruin the cow for milking," while the calf cannot possibly consume all of the milk the cow produces. "So when the cows were milked a small amount was poured into a bucket and the children had to teach them how to drink. They would suck on anything, the ends of our coats, mittens, ears, and we would stick our fingers in their mouths and start them sucking and lower our hands into the warm milk in the bucket so they would suck the milk up through our fingers. It took them only a short time to learn to suck the milk directly, slamming their heads into the buckets as they would slam them into the cow to make the milk flow so that milk splashed up and out and into our faces, down our clothes, hot new milk, spring milk." Or as he says of milking, "the hands work in a rhythm as old as all rhythms, the rhythm that is the giving of milk, so that the person becomes the calf and the cow the mother and the milk hisses and sputters into the white foam." For those who have never known farm life, Gary Paulsen's poetic prose will provide a vivid and accurate picture of life as it used to be on the family farm. For those who, like my 80-year-old father, knew the family farm of the 1920's-1950's, this book will evoke rich memories. For those of us who knew farm life afterward, the memories will be selective. But they're there. They're there.

Anyone who has ever been raised on a farm, or spent summers on a farm--as I did as a child--will find evocative reading in Gary Paulsen's memoir/prose poem. And, it is so lyrically written that even if you've spent all your days in the city, the reading of this piece will refresh your soul. A treasure!

Mr. Paulson writes a beautiful, touching, book that reflects his undying love of nature and the land. Take the time to read the forward to the book that explains the motive behind it's writing. Picture the two men sitting next to the deceased workhorse as the farmer unravels his story of his life and his land. Contrast the respect for the land and nature's cycles of "old time" farmers, versus the "forced yields" of today's factory farms. I have read this book several times and each time I gain a greater knowledge and respect for the wonders Mother Earth reveals, if you treat her with respect and take the time to listen. I have recomended this book to dozens of people - city and country folk alike - and all have been glad that I did so. Every person who has felt a link or calling to the earth should read this book.

This series of stories about about Francis Tucket is chocked full of encounters with Pawnee Indians, thieves, ruthless Comancheroes, sadistic murderers, and rattlesnakes. But the stories are also populated by such wonderful characters like Lottie and Billy, Jason Grimes, the one-armed mountain man, Garcia, and Iktah. Paulsen who has the deserved reputation as a great storyteller has created a series that will entertain as well as educate. You are given a glimpse of just how harsh conditions were for early settlers in the West but the stories also re-affirms our hope that there are truly good people out there as well.

I LOVE ALL THE GARY PAULSEN BOOKS. THE francis tuckets are some of my favorites because i've always wanted to go back in time to the western days and these books took me there.

travis l. blue.

I have already read both of the Misadventures of Maude March books. My grandmother bought me thiese books because I kept looking for more westerns. These Tucket books are very good but something is missing. Partly girls. Partly a lot of other people. Still I can't cut off any stars.

It's a good thing they are all five together. This book was so good even I (mom) didn't want to stop reading it! I even cried at the end. My son (9 yrs) and I read this together. It is a very good book to read aloud because you can explain things if you need, and you (as an adult) can really add some drama with your voice. One night my son had a friend stay overnight (8 yrs) and he wasn't excited about having me read to them (especially in the middle of the book and all) but he was hooked after one chapter. I think this would be a good book for those who "hate" reading because the story just pulls you in and keeps you wanting to know what happens next. There is even a little bit of historical information and things to learn (but don't tell the kids!) I would recommend it to grades 3 and up. My 6 yr old had trouble sitting still for it.

This was a great story!!! I loved it! If you are looking for a book, this would be the book to read!!!

Paulsen types his thoughts to create a story to make the reader think about their life.Paulsen uses short and descriptive sentences to create his fantasy life over again.

Paulsen has written one of the funniest books we've ever read, about preparing for and racing in the Iditarod. Like all the best humorists, his humor comes from the heart. This book is much more serious but it still comes from the heart and succeeds for that reason.

Here he is writing about his dogs and in particular a dog named Cookie, a female who served as his lead dog in the Iditarod and also was mother to many of his other dogs. He starts with the birth of her last litter of pups and goes on from there. Some of the most striking anecdotes show just how intelligent and sensitive these animals are: one of the other dogs teaching the puppies how to get all of the meat out of the skull, and Cookie herself seemingly forcing a pack of dogs to go back and help her owner when he has to let all of them go in order to extricate himself from a predicament.

In the end, they both have to give up running, and of course humans live longer than dogs, so we know how it ends: sadly but poignantly, as the author says goodbye to someone he obviously considers a friend.

My eight year old son has a passion for the Iditarod, and is just starting to read chapter books. This book was perfect for him, and he finished it crying he was so attached to Cookie, the main dog. Paulsen writes beautifully about dogs, appealing to all ages. This is a wonderful book, beautifully illustrated, for all ages of dog lovers.

I read this to my nine year old last week. Before I knew it, my wife and twelve year old were rivited. It is beautiful and touching. Most books you put down and forget a day later. The images from this book stay with me and my family. We are going to run out and buy some more stories by this author. You do not have to love dogs or dogsledding to truly enjoy his writing. Suggestion: Read aloud by the fire.

This is a great book. It's about a man who owns a dog kennel. He loves the dogs more than life itself. But, he gets heart disese. He may have to give up the kennel. This is a drama that kept me interested. I don't usually read this type of book, so it had to be very good to interest me. I hope you like it.

Canoe Days, by Gary Paulsen, is a very inspirational story. The pictures by Ruth Wright Paulsen are also a big part of it too. I think this story sends a great message.
This book has words in its pictures. An example of this is that the fish look like they are swimming whenever it shoes them in the water. This book has very descriptive words. They describe the motion of the butterflies wings as swish. The author barely talks about the person, but more about the animals. They make it seem like they do, but they really describe the nature instead. The example of this is where the person is going down the creek in his boat, and the animals are around him and they talk about the animals.
This book is a classic. IT sends a great message. It had good words and pictures, it is very descriptive. IT is a nature based book. This story was great

Canoe Days is an incredible book. It has detailed illustrations and vivid colors. Extensive description gives you the sensational feeling of canoeing.

The sentences get to the point despite being very descriptive. Many similes and metaphors are used and it accurately describes the surroundings. A picture is the background on every page, and the pictures are detailed and illustrated on a canvas. The colors in the pictures blend well. The sentences have lots of adjectives. The adjectives are so good they create a picture in your head.

This is a great book. The illustrations and words take you on a canoeing trip. The surrounding appear in your mind. Also the similes and metaphors add to the experience.

I love books that combine beautiful artwork with rich text. This is a winner in my mind! The words and pictures in this book make you feel like you're right there in the canoe, feeling and seeing all that the author describes. A dreamy little ride I'll enjoy taking again and again!

Opening this book is like getting into a canoe, taking up a paddle & gliding out into the beauty of a small lake for a day of peace & pleasure where the water & sky are one. Where neighborly deer, heron, mallards, foxes & raccoons come down to the water. A wonderful gift!

This book takes the reader on a canoe ride across a lake where many animals and types of fish are encountered. Paulens's word choices are excellent. It has excellent color illustrations and is highly recommended for 3rd and 4th graders.

Ms. Fine accurately captures the spirit of Gary Paulsen, writer, adventurer, teacher and animal activist. This book is well written and an exciting read. Children of all ages will benefit from reading about a life well lived. Ms. Fine's beatifully written and carefully researched book on Mr. Paulsen will be a great addition to everyone's personal library. Read On!

The Biography about Gary Paulsen written by Edith Hope Fine is a wonderful story that talks about all of Paulsen's goals, achievements, and also books written by Gary Paulsen himself. Paulsen did not have a good childhood in fact he spent most of his childhood taking care of himself. His two parents were always drinking and using drugs because of all there stress. Most of there stress was from either his dad going to war almost every month, or the fact that they did not know how to take care of Gary. Gary being the smart man he is learned all of his lessons in life by watching his parent's mistakes.

Gary Paulsen uses a lot of imagery, as well as wonderful examples filling the readers mind with pictures and thoughts about the topic. The cover of the book has a wonderful picture of Gary. The book was put in chronological order of Gary Paulsen's life. The book also has colorful photos in each chapter of Gary. Also in the back of the book there is a timeline of the exact dates when Gary wrote his book's. You would be very surprised at how many books Gary has written!! Underneath all pictures there is a quote that Gary wrote at the time that the picture was taken. I think all people young and old would love to read this book.

The brightly colored photo of Gary Paulsen on this book's cover makes it an attention grabber for students in middle or high school; the text includes a generous scattering of black-and-white pictures and maps. Mr. Paulsen dedicated HATCHET, one of his three Newbery Honor Books, to the students of Hershey Middle School in Hershey, Pennsylvania, because of their enthusiastic response to his participation in the Alaskan Iditarod sled dog race, and Chapter Eight explains how this came to happen. Ms. Fine crams the book with factual information that helps readers understand how Paulsen uses his own life experiences like the race when he writes his books about survival, skillfully weaving their titles into the biography. Graphic detail, such as the stitching back of his tongue after a childhood accident in the Philippines, is minimal, just enough to tweak interest. Footnotes in a special section both satisfy curiosity and demonstrate Ms. Fine's care to clearly cite authorities, a good model for young report writers. The three-page index also helps teens, who will find many references to his book titles here.

An adequate biography on Paulsen that is age appropriate is hard to find. This one fills the bill.

My 12 year old son and I have just finished reading Edith Fine's wonderful new biography on Gary Paulsen. Since Paulsen is one of our favorite authors we were thrilled to learn more about the details of his life. Being a volunteer reading teacher in the public schools and a leader of a weekend reading group of 6 adolescent boys, I know that Gary Paulsen's books are extremely popular with kids that age, and yet there has never been much written about his life. (Hopefully, libraries will order several copies each of this book.) Edith Fine does an exceptional job of writing in a way that's easily understood by both kids and adults. She takes the time to explain details such as what a "pinsetter" does. Most kids don't realize that bowling alleys haven't always been mechanized and that a real person had to actually set up the bowling pins each time a ball knocked them down. My son shares Gary Paulsen's love of dogs and Ms. Fine incorporates each family dog into the events of his life. Although Gary Paulsen's childhood and part of his adult life involve such painful subjects as alcoholism, Edith fine describes them in a matter of fact way- not skirting the issue, but also not laying out too many gory details. (important for kids) Gary Paulsen's life is a fascinating read and one that many people, kids and adults alike, can profit from- especially ones that aren't astute in reading and writing. He shows us that anyone can learn to better themselves- even if the cards seem stacked against them. This book is a must have for any Gary Paulsen fan. Kudos to Edith Fine!

This biography of Gary Paulsen belongs on the shelf of every library serving students who know and love Gary Paulsen's work. Teachers who study Gary Paulsen's work, including such favorites as HATCHET, will want a copy (or more) for their students. Edith Hope Fine balances Paulsen's background and tough life with his hard work and his work ethic. Black and white photographs are helpful to the text. Schools organizing author visits will enjoy the segment on Gary's school visit. This is a well-written, solid biography, and an enjoyable read. Public and school libraries will find this a helpful addition to their collections. If you are a fan of Paulsen's work you will enjoy reading this fine biography and learning more about him.

This is an excellent book. The book is written in such detail that it is easy to imagine yourself being there. This is a great book for those of any age. It will bring back some good memories of your childhood.

Paulsen writes about seasons in his hometown being determined by types of fish caught down by the dam, under the Ninth street bridge, or in frozen lakes, and not by dates on calendars. When fishing ends, hunting is the obsession for Paulsen and friends he calls "orphans of the woods." He explains, "When we were in the woods or fishing the rivers and lakes our lives didn't hurt."

This book is a nature lover's choice. Paulsen writes of growing up in a small Minnesota town and he intertwines this town's life with stories of adventurous boys. Two of my favorite essays are "Running the River" and "Bow Hunting." The first is a hilarious tale of an overplanned camping trip gone wrong when the boat, full of supplies and boys, sinks, forcing the boys to walk back to town. "Bow Hunting" is a coming of age essay in which a boy, after killing his first doe, poignantly describes his realization that while his life will continue, hers will not.

This is one of the best books I have read about outdoors. The stories were exellently written and engulfed me in the happnings. I felt as if I could smell the crisp morning air on the first day of hunting season.I would give this book 50 stars but there is only five on the sheet.

This book truly brings nature to your fingertips. As a reader, I felt as if I was out in the wild, experiencing everything of which Paulsen wrote. With the descriptive settings and easy-to-relate-to tales, Paulsen makes the reader feel as if they have entered the woods along with the characters in the story. The essays on fishing and hunting in the northern woods are definitely his best work yet! This book is easy to follow, yet has very deep and interesting accounts.
I recommend this illustration to anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. If you want to learn about cold, winter morning fishing excursions, or hot, summer days in the woods, this is the perfect book to help fulfill your curiosity. Father Water Mother Woods is worth your time of reading and is definitely a classic.

Excellent book to use with your class when reading the novel Hatchet. Contains extension activities, vocabulary lists, and quizes.

The story was about a boy named Brian, who was trying to survive in the wilderness. One summer, Brian flew to Canada to visit his father. The pilot had a heart attack and died. Brian had to fly the plane. He flew into water and was hurt very badly. The only things he had were the clothes he had on, money, and a hatchet. Now he has to try to survive with the things he has. I liked the book because it was exciting and it had a lot of aciton. My favorite part was when Brian went into the plane to get the first aid kit. I think you should read it because it is about a boy who is trying to survive alone in the wilderness.

Brian is going to be with his dad in Alaska when the pilot of the two person plain has a heart attack brian crash lands the plain in a lake . Brian is forced to survive in the Alaska wilderness with only the hatchit his mom gave him before he left.

After the pilot of the plane has a heart attack, thirteen-year-old Brian is forced into a crashed landing. Alone now, Brian must brave the Canadian wilderness armed with only a hatchet and his survival skills. He struggles with the elements and the knowledge of his mother's secret affair while waiting to be saved. The author, Gary Paulsen goes into great detail when describing Brian's environmnet, yet he never forgets to share his emotions with the reader. This is a great book for middle grade students to enjoy.