Plot Points
What does Brian drink when he wakes up extremely thirsty?
Water from the lake.
What tool is Brian carrying that may help him survive?
A hatchet given to him by his mother.
Who is Mr. Perpich, whom Brian remembers when trying to stay positive?
A teacher who encouraged students to stay motivated and think positively
What bothers Brian's skin after he spends time outside following the crash?
Mosquito bites and sunburn.
What does Brian learn from becoming sick after eating too many berries?
He needs to be more careful and pay attention to what he eats.
What does Brian realize about the searchers after thinking about the plane's flight path?
They may not know where to look for him because the plane went off course.
What two basic needs does Brian focus on meeting after the crash?
Food and shelter. He also needs water.
What painful family memory keeps returning to Brian's thoughts?
The memory of seeing his mother kissing a man with short blond hair
What kind of animal does Brian encounter while gathering berries?
A bear.
Why does Brian keep his hatchet close when he sleeps?
It is his most important tool and makes him feel safer.
What kind of shelter does Brian begin building?
A lean-to shelter against a rocky overhang
What does Brian do to help himself think clearly instead of panicking?
He takes inventory of what he has and focuses on what he can do.
Why does Brian begin to think differently about being rescued?
He realizes that no one may know his exact location, so he must prepare to survive.
What animal enters Brian's shelter at night in Chapter 8?
A porcupine.
What can you infer about Brian from his decision to keep trying after setbacks?
He is becoming more determined and resourceful.
What happens to Brian after he eats too many unfamiliar berries?
He becomes violently sick during the night.
What food does Brian find growing in a patch that he can eat and collect?
Raspberries
How does Brian's response to the bear show that he is beginning to reason through fear?
He realizes that if the bear wanted to attack him, it likely would have already done so.
What happens when Brian throws his hatchet at the porcupine?
The porcupine reacts by sending quills into Brian's leg.
Why is Brian's memory of his teacher important to his survival?
It reminds him to stay positive, think clearly, and take action instead of giving up.
What gives Brian the idea that he might be able to make fire?
He realizes that striking his hatchet against stone might create sparks.
What connection does Brian make between his hatchet and starting a fire?
He realizes he may be able to strike the hatchet against stone to create sparks.
How does Brian's attitude change across Chapters 5–8?
He begins to move from shock and self-pity toward taking action and learning from his experiences.
Why is eating unfamiliar berries a dangerous choice for Brian?
He does not know which berries are safe or how many he should eat.
What important survival lesson does Brian begin to understand after the porcupine attack?
Feeling sorry for himself will not solve his problems; he must learn from the experience and keep going