The Rifle Page 6

  Crafting this sweet rifle was perhaps the greatest achievement of Cornish’s life. What skill do you hope to perfect in your lifetime?

  There are so many variables that caused this rifle to end up where it did. If any number of small, random occurrences had been different, the fate of the rifle—and of course, the fate of Richard—would have also been different. Think of a time that you had a bad day. If you could go back and change anything that happened, what might you change so that your day would end up differently?

  So often in the news we hear about terrible accidents like the one that killed Richard. Did reading about all the moments that Richard missed out on by dying young, his family’s grief, and Harv’s guilt give you any new insight into the possible far-reaching effects of such events?

  About the Author

  GARY PAULSEN has written nearly two hundred books for young people, including the Newbery Honor Books Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room. He divides his time between a home in New Mexico and a boat on the Pacific Ocean.