Brian's Winter - Gary Paulsen

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⭐9/10

Everything I thought might be true of Hatchet really was true of Brian's Winter. I read this one in a weekend and found it much easier to get through, pretty much getting rid of all the issues I had, and telling a much more compelling survival story. 

It's a funny book because it retcons the last one, and actually Brian wasn't saved and has to survive a winter. Has that ever been done before? Either way I love the choice as it's so much more interesting than having to contrive a motivation for him to go back or something. And now he gets to level up all his skills, and he's already a cool, tough preteen rather than the whiny baby he was to start the first. 

Yeah, this book is awesome. I did this one on audio and the reader is absolutely fantastic and reminded me of sitting in a circle listening to the teacher read, except that the teacher is now a very good reader. There are also musical accompaniments and I'm not sure there's a better audiobook adaptation out there. Really lovely to listen to. 

There is something so snug and comfy reading about Brian surviving a winter, getting warm, working on his war bow and making clothes from moose hide. Is was odd to listen to this one while outside in blistering heat, but this is a prime cozy read. It's exciting but not as dramatic as the first, and Brian loves nature now, is one with it, and it's cool to read about. 

Rating kids books always uses some sort of scale, but I genuinely enjoyed this one! If I ever have a kid it will only be so I can make them was Brian's Winter.

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