32 pages • 1 hour read
Gary PaulsenTracker
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1978A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Tracker by Gary Paulsen, John Borne contends with the imminent death of his grandfather from cancer and immerses himself in deer hunting as a coping mechanism. During the hunt, he encounters a doe and realizes that understanding and accepting the deer's life helps him come to terms with his grandfather's mortality, reflecting themes of survival, nature, and emotional resilience.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gary Paulsen's Tracker is praised for its vivid descriptions and realistic portrayal of nature, making readers feel deeply connected to the wilderness. The coming-of-age story resonates with many, highlighting themes of loss and survival. However, some critique the novel for its slow pace and limited character development. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of outdoor adventure and introspective narratives.
Who Should Read Tracker?
A reader who would enjoy Tracker by Gary Paulsen is likely a young adult or middle-grade student interested in themes of nature, survival, and self-discovery. Fans of Paulsen's Hatchet or Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia would appreciate its introspective narrative and wilderness setting.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
930LBook Details
Action / Adventure
Realistic Fiction
Children's Literature
Natural World: Nurture v. Nature
Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Natural World: Animals
Animals
Science / Nature