Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

He would have to find some way to protect himself, some weapon. The fire worked well when it was burning, but it had burned down. His hatchet and knife would have done nothing more than make the bear really angry -- something he did not like to think about -- and his bow was good only for smaller game. He had never tried to shoot anything bigger than a fool bird or rabbit with it and doubted that the bow would push the arrow deep enough to do anything but -- again -- make the bear really mad.

He bundled in his bag that night, the end of the two weeks of warm weather. He kept putting wood on the fire, half afraid the bear would come back. All the while he tried to think of a solution.

But in reality, the bear was not his primary adversary. Nor was the wolf, nor any animal. Brian had become his own worst enemy because in all the business of hunting, fishing and surviving he had forgotten the primary rule: Always, always pay attention to what was happening. Everything in nature means something and he had missed the warnings that summer was ending, had in many ways already ended, and what was coming would be the most dangerous thing he had faced since the plane crashed.

Paperback, 144 pages

Published January 12, 1998

 by Laurel Leaf

3/5 stars

Brian’s Winter is the third book in the Brian Saga Series and takes a familiar story in a new direction. This novel is a “what if” scenario that imagines what would have happened if Brian had not been rescued before winter after the plane crash that left him stranded in the wilderness.

The focus is squarely on survival as Brian endures the brutal winter months, relying on his growing knowledge of the land and sheer determination. Paulsen’s descriptions of the cold, isolation, and daily struggle for food and shelter are vivid, especially for readers who enjoy wilderness survival stories.

That said, the plot feels more reflective than suspenseful and much of the story revisits challenges similar to those in earlier books. While it’s interesting to see Brian tested in a harsher season, the narrative doesn’t offer many surprises or strong emotional shifts.

Overall, Brian’s Winter is a solid addition for fans of the series, particularly those curious about this alternate outcome. It’s an engaging survival tale, but it doesn’t quite stand out from the rest of Brian’s journey.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge and is book #1