83 pages • 2 hours read
Gary PaulsenThe Transall Saga
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Gary Paulsen's 1998 fantasy/sci-fi novel The Transall Saga, thirteen-year-old Mark Harrison embarks on a solo hiking trip but is mysteriously transported to the world of Transall, where he must survive among strange creatures, vegetation, and warring tribes while seeking a way to return home. The novel includes themes of enslavement and conflict influenced by race and bigotry.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen receives mixed reviews. Readers praise its imaginative world-building and fast-paced adventure, appealing to younger audiences with a taste for speculative fiction. However, critics note underdeveloped characters and a predictable plot. The novel's strengths lie in its creativity and action, making it more suitable for adolescents than adults.
Who Should Read The Transall Saga?
Readers who enjoy thrilling survival adventures mixed with elements of science fiction and fantasy would be captivated by Gary Paulsen's The Transall Saga. Similar to Hatchet by Paulsen or The Giver by Lois Lowry, this book appeals to young adults intrigued by resilience, self-discovery, and dystopian worlds.
RecommendedReading Age
12-15yearsLexile Level
630LBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Fantasy
Action / Adventure
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Natural World: Environment