Northwind

By (author) Paulsen Gary
Short description/annotation
An edge-of-your seat adventure by Gary Paulsen, the master of high-stakes survival stories and the author of Hatchet.
Description

From Gary Paulsen, the bestselling and much-loved author of Hatchet, comes another high-stakes survival story about a young boy on the knife-edge between life and death, where the raging seas meet a coastal wilderness.

When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, thrown from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination. Yet the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer Leif comes to his truest self as he connects to the heartbeat of the ocean, the pulse of the sea.

A stunning historical adventure with hints of Nordic mythology and an irresistible narrative pull, Northwind is Gary Paulsen at his captivating, adventuresome best.

Review quote
Gary Paulsen’s final novel, ‘Northwind’ — a tale of survival as masterfully understated as the man himself — brings the author’s career, and his life, full circle . . . Paulsen, who died in October, was not only a master storyteller, but also a master world-builder. Leif’s trip north is ‘a movement through worlds.’ And although these worlds are earthly ones, they’re as fresh and surprising as distant stars.
Review quote
A voyage both singular and universal, marked by sharply felt risks and rewards and deep waters beneath.
Review quote
Paulsen once again demonstrates his extraordinary knowledge of nature and the outdoors . . . Beautifully written, it’s classic Paulsen at his best.
Review quote
Spare, survival-oriented prose keeps the reader immersed in scenes difficult and wondrous, offering a glimpse of the sheer awesomeness of nature, showcasing the beauty of the sea and its inhabitants, and regaling readers with a timeless and irresistible adventure that has resilience at its heart.
Review quote
This is is an absolute masterpiece. Nobody writes about survival like him. If I were teaching about Vikings this would straight away be the book I’d use. Fantastic description and connection with nature.
Biographical note
Gary Paulsen (1939-2021) wrote more than two hundred books for children and adults. Three of his novels – Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room – were Newbery Honor books. In 1997, he received the ALA''s Margaret A. Edwards Award for his contribution to young adult literature. His books have sold over 35 million copies around the world.
Promotional headline
An edge-of-your seat adventure by Gary Paulsen, the master of high-stakes survival stories and the author of Hatchet.
Review quote: previous work
This is is an absolute masterpiece. Nobody writes about survival like him. If I were teaching about Vikings this would straight away be the book I’d use. Fantastic description and connection with nature.