Tracker Summary
Gary Paulsen

Tracker Overview

Tracker is a coming of age teen novel by Gary Paulsen. It is the story of John Borne, a thirteen-year-old who lives on a farm with his grandparents, whom he deeply loves. John has already known death in his life when his parents were killed in a plane crash. John is now facing the death of his grandfather who is terminally ill with cancer. John's grandfather realizes that John will soon be the man of the family. As such, he will need to be able to take care of his grandmother and the farm. John will have more responsibility and more work. To prepare John for manhood, Grandpa tells him that he must go on this year's hunt alone. This stuns John who has always done things with his Grandpa. As John sets out on the hunt, he is setting out on his journey to manhood. When his grandson returns home, Grandpa realizes that John is ready to face the future as a man.