Tracker, by Gary Paulsen

Tracker, by Gary Paulsen ISBN# 0-59044098-5

This very satisfying book deals with a thirteen-year-old boy dealing with the death of his grandfather in the North Woods of Minnesota. Every year John and his grandfather goes hunting for deer so the family will have meat for the winter. Since John’s grandfather has cancer, John must go alone this year.

John’s first hunt alone is anything but normal. He tracks a single deer for over two days and something strange comes over him. As author Paulsen beautifully describes the Minnesota woods, John associates the life of the deer with the life of his grandfather. John takes on a whole new worldview which includes the preciousness of life and the necessity of death. In other words, the process of the hunt makes him understand the imminent death of his grandfather.

This quiet and concise book really delves into what John psychologically goes through as he grows up during the hunt. I really enjoyed this book and it is highly recommended for fourth grade and up. Many people think that Paulsen writes “boy” books, but the universal topic of life and death will have appeal for girls. There are four characters in this book: grandfather, grandmother, John, and the deer, and they are all very strong.