# Books like Hatchet

**10** books similar to *Hatchet* by Gary Paulsen (Adventure · 1020L · grades 5–8), matched on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level. Every pick is grade-appropriate (a reading-level match, not just a topical one) and links to where it is assigned in US schools.

**Themes:** survival, resilience, self-reliance, nature, growing up
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/similar/hatchet
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Similar books

- [The River](https://readinglist.school/book/the-river) by Gary Paulsen _(Grades 5–8)_ — Is by Gary Paulsen, the same author, shares themes of survival and nature, and both on the North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award list.
- [Island of the Blue Dolphins](https://readinglist.school/book/island-of-the-blue-dolphins) by Scott O'Dell _(1000L · Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of survival, resilience, and nature, both on the Virginia Readers' Choice list (+2 more shared lists), and a close reading level (1000L vs 1020L).
- [Rascal](https://readinglist.school/book/rascal) by Sterling North _(Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of nature and growing up, both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (5–8).
- [Summer of the Monkeys](https://readinglist.school/book/summer-of-the-monkeys) by Wilson Rawls _(Grades 4–7)_ — Shares themes of nature and growing up, both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+2 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (4–7).
- [Old Yeller](https://readinglist.school/book/old-yeller) by Fred Gipson _(Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of survival and growing up, both on the Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (5–8).
- [Touching Spirit Bear](https://readinglist.school/book/touching-spirit-bear) by Ben Mikaelsen _(Grades 6–9)_ — Shares themes of survival and nature, both on the North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (6–9).
- [Harris and Me](https://readinglist.school/book/harris-and-me) by Gary Paulsen _(Grades 6–8)_ — Is by Gary Paulsen, the same author, both on the Wisconsin Golden Archer Award list (+1 more shared list), and overlapping grades (6–8).
- [Diary of a Wimpy Kid](https://readinglist.school/book/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid) by Jeff Kinney _(950L · Grades 3–7)_ — Shares themes of growing up, both on the Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award list (+3 more shared lists), and a close reading level (950L vs 1020L).
- [Smile](https://readinglist.school/book/smile) by Raina Telgemeier _(410L · Grades 4–8)_ — Shares themes of growing up, both on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award list (+3 more shared lists), and overlapping grades (4–8).
- [Two Degrees](https://readinglist.school/book/two-degrees) by Alan Gratz _(Grades 5–8)_ — Shares themes of survival, both on the Wisconsin Golden Archer Award list, and same genre (Adventure).

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