# The River

**Author:** Gary Paulsen
**Grade range:** Grades 5–8
**Age range:** 10–13
**First published:** 1991
**Page count:** 132
**Genre:** Adventure
**ISBN-13:** `9780385902212`
**ISBN-10:** `0385303882`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-river
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Gary Paulsen's 1991 sequel to Hatchet sends Brian Robeson back into the wilderness on purpose: government researchers want him to repeat his survival, this time observed. When a lightning strike leaves his companion in a coma, Brian must keep them both alive by rafting a hundred miles down a wild river to find help.

## Themes

- survival
- nature
- courage
- adventure

## Where this book is assigned

### North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 5th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)

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