Hunter's Choice

March 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 Twelve-year-old Hunter Higgins, whose favorite book is Hatchet, is beside himself with excitement; he's about to go on his first hunt with his father, grandfather, and Uncle Rick. The Higgins men's passionate devotion to the sport is the very reason the boy was named Hunter. But can he live up to that name? The first day of deer hunting puts it to the test when Hunter finds he's unable to shoot a magnificent buck because it's so beautiful. "Coward," he bitterly calls himself, "failure, hippie." He is only partially mollified when Uncle Rick, whom he reveres, talks with him about the philosophy of hunting and "the awesome, the holy power to kill." Hunter will test that thesis when, later, he and his uncle find themselves in mortal danger. This is a well-written but sometimes didactic paean to hunting that is otherwise notable for its verisimilitude and well-realized setting, the Idaho wilderness. The book's uncritical devotion to hunting recommends it for classroom use, where it may well invite discussion and debate.

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March 15, 2021
Can Hunter live up to his name? Hunter Higgins is 12, and it feels like his whole life has been leading to this weekend: his first deer hunt. His family is a hunting family, and their land in the Idaho wilderness has been its emotional center for decades. Hunter's taken all the classes, has perfected his shooting, earned his license--but still he wonders whether he can actually take a life. He keeps this worry bottled up as his family gathers at their lodge: his father, his grandfather, his uncle, and his cousin, Yumi, who's also 12--and, unexpectedly, Yumi's friend Annette, their classmate and Hunter's secret crush. Now Hunter has to navigate his family's expectations and Annette. Reedy introduces a powerful subplot in Yumi's difficult relationship with her father, a veteran whose experiences in Afghanistan have left hidden scars. Reedy's familiarity with the terrain, the culture of the outdoors, and combat breathe authenticity into the narrative; as Hunter reflects, "A non-shooter would probably never be able to understand what this felt like." Hunter's rural Idaho world is populated by folks like the Higginses; the ethics of hunting are not called into question. It is also mostly White, with Yumi and her mom's presumed Japanese heritage hinted at in their names. Readers from outside Hunter's culture may find such details as the lodge's all-camo decor cartoonish, but those from within it should feel at home. For kids who, like Hunter, can't get enough of Hatchet. (Fiction. 8-12)

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April 2, 2021

Gr 5-7-Turning 12 is a big deal in the Higgins family, because it means Hunter can be part of hunting expeditions. The sixth grader, who is white, is ready-he's taken the safety courses, learned the skills, and has had plenty of target practice-but he's not sure if he'll be able to actually shoot a living deer. Reedy lightly explores topics like mental health and gender dynamics, but the character development remains secondary to the plot. VERDICT Recommended for fans of hunting adventure stories or others looking for a plot-driven middle grade book with a modern rural setting. Not a first purchase.-Gesse Stark-Smith, Multnomah County Lib., Portland, OR

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