Published in 1986, this book follows 13-year-old Brian Robeson into the Canadian wilderness. Here, he must survive with only his wits and a hatchet after the pilot of his plane dies of a heart attack.

“Hatchet,” by Gary Paulsen (Simon & Schuster reissue, 2006) This novel is proof that age categorizations of books are mere suggestions, for this adventure tale is touted for young adults but ...