At a key moment in the novel, Darrell’s English teacher, Mr. Mitchell, gives him a copy of Gary Paulsen’s novel Hatchet. This classic coming-of-age survival story comes to symbolize Darrell’s potential inner toughness, showing him how he can strengthen his resolve to face difficult situations. Hatchet describes teenager Brian’s attempts to survive in the Canadian wilderness on his own after a plane crash. Brian faces many physical and emotional hardships but finds the strength to persevere through illness, injury, and loneliness without tipping into despair. By the end of the novel, he has matured into a person who controls his own fate.

At first, Darrell is reluctant to read the book and doubts that it can teach him anything. However, reading Hatchet helps Darrell recognize his tendency to feel helpless about his life. When Darrell feels particularly alone because of Tyray, reading about Brian facing the wilds shows Darrell that others have experienced the same seemingly incurable loneliness. Inspired by Brian’s resilience, Darrell asks what he can do to change life at Bluford. Rather than remaining passive, Darrell makes proactive choices, such as going to the dance, joining the wrestling team, and helping

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