35 pages 1 hour read

Gary Paulsen

The River

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1991

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter 20-Measurements

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 20 Summary

The current grows stronger, and the raft picks up speed. Brian realizes that the river may have drops ahead and immediately hears water whooshing and falling. They are headed toward a waterfall.

Chapter 21 Summary

Brian has no time to steer the raft or slow their speed, and Brian sees that the river narrows between two bluffs, causing the water to pick up speed and crash over rocks. The water takes control of the raft, and Brian can only try to protect Derek as they hit an underwater boulder. The river throws Brian from the raft, and he struggles to free himself from the pressure wave crashing down on him. He finally makes it to the surface with his lungs screaming for air, but he hits his head and blacks out.

Chapter 22 Summary

Brian comes to in shallows below the rapids and is uninjured. Suddenly, he remembers Derek and the raft. He looks down the river, but can’t see the raft, and realizes Derek may have fallen off. He quickly recognizes that he must swim to try and catch up with the raft and see if Derek is alive.

Related Titles

By Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Brian's Hunt

Gary Paulsen

Brian's Hunt

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Brian's Return

Gary Paulsen

Brian's Return

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Guts

Gary Paulsen

Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books

Gary Paulsen

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE

logo

Harris and Me

Gary Paulsen

Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Gary Paulsen

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Liar, Liar

Gary Paulsen

Liar, Liar

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

Masters of Disaster

Gary Paulsen

Masters of Disaster

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

My Life in Dog Years

Gary Paulsen

My Life in Dog Years

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

Soldiers Heart

Gary Paulsen

Soldiers Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

The Crossing

Gary Paulsen

The Crossing

Gary Paulsen

Plot Summary

logo

The Monument

Gary Paulsen

The Monument

Gary Paulsen

Study Guide

logo

The Voyage of the Frog

Gary Paulsen

The Voyage of the Frog

Gary Paulsen