Where the Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls
304 pages // published in 1961 // classic YA
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Where the Red Fern Grows is a beloved classic that captures the powerful bond between man and man’s best friend.
Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two dogs. So when he’s finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own—Old Dan and Little Ann—he’s ecstatic. It’s true that times are tough, but together they’ll roam the hills of the Ozarks.
Soon Billy and his hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley. Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan’s brawn, Little Ann’s brains, and Billy’s sheer will seems unbeatable. But tragedy awaits these determined hunters—now friends—and Billy learns that hope can grow out of despair.
Where the Red Fern Grows is a beloved classic that captures the powerful bond between man and man’s best friend.
Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two dogs. So when he’s finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own—Old Dan and Little Ann—he’s ecstatic. It’s true that times are tough, but together they’ll roam the hills of the Ozarks.
Soon Billy and his hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley. Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan’s brawn, Little Ann’s brains, and Billy’s sheer will seems unbeatable. But tragedy awaits these determined hunters—now friends—and Billy learns that hope can grow out of despair.
Heartwarming... Heartbreaking...
Billy is a hard-working country boy. His one desire in life is to get his own set of hunting dogs. So he does the only thing he can do -- work harder to get what he wants -- excellent morals for young readers! Truly, I was impressed with the amount of odd jobs he took on, to help him reach his goal; this boy found himself a worthy cause. Once his reward arrives, in the form of two wagging tails, two licking tongues, and eight furry legs pounding through the woods with him, it changes Billy forever...
This is a good tale that allows you to feel it in your soul. It's a rough, raw glimpse into the life of an Ozark boy and his family. It's a sentimental story of true love; of animals being the best thing to make a human being actually more human.
Also, just wanted to mention that I love the spiritual moments in the story, where Billy is praying to the Lord for help in time of need... there is a particular scene out in the woods, just Billy, his dogs, and the hand of God -- I won't be forgetting it!
Usually recommended for middle-graders, I think, but teens and adults will be drawn into the story too, and likely set it down with a tearful eye. Just to warn you, there are some tragic moments, and some violence.
Old Dan and Little Ann, I'll love you forever.
Book #6 completed // Classic From A Place You've Lived
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I read this for the first time just last year. SO good.
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