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60th out of 396 books
—
947 voters
Big Red (Big Red #1)
From the moment Danny sees the beautiful Irish setter, he knows Red is the dog for him.Fast and smart, strong and noble, Red is the only dog Danny wants by his side.Soon, neither boy nor dog can stand to be apart.Together Danny and Red face many dangers in the harsh Wintapi wilderness that they call home.But the greatest test of their courage and friendship will come from...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
February 1st 1992
by Yearling
(first published 1945)
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Read Kjelgaard's books when I was a kid and they were a formative influence. Indeed, here is a longer blog post I wrote up about the books (back when I was giving blogging a brief go):
I gave my nephew a set of four books this last Christmas: Big Red, Irish Red, Outlaw Red (a trilogy of Irish Setter stories) and Stormy, all by Jim Kjelgaard, and then for his ninth birthday, I found two more (the books are mostly out-of-print) Snow Dog and Wild Trek. He’s loved the books, as I figured he would, hi...more
I gave my nephew a set of four books this last Christmas: Big Red, Irish Red, Outlaw Red (a trilogy of Irish Setter stories) and Stormy, all by Jim Kjelgaard, and then for his ninth birthday, I found two more (the books are mostly out-of-print) Snow Dog and Wild Trek. He’s loved the books, as I figured he would, hi...more
Jim Kjelgaard really started my obsessive compulsive reading lifestyle. He was really the first author that I can vividly remember, at like 8 years old, going into a bookstore and blurting out to any employee "Do you have any Jim Kjelgaard books, I'll spell it for you..K-J-E-L-G-A-A-R-D" Great dog books too, by the way. Jack London lite.
Aug 11, 2011
Lisa Rathbun
added it
I loved this book as a child and reread it many times. I loved the thrilling adventures from the "smaller" ones like his encounter with the wolverine to the main conflict with the savage bear. Oooo, I remember being so creeped out by the bear! Danny sitting in the dark, hearing the bear's claws scraping on the rock and watching Big Red's hackles rise . . . brrrrr!
IMO, if kids are looking to be scared and feel chills up and down their spine, this is a lot healthier than some of the truly twisted...more
IMO, if kids are looking to be scared and feel chills up and down their spine, this is a lot healthier than some of the truly twisted...more
Nov 14, 2011
Hilary
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-chapter-books,
tri-review
For many readers, “Big Red,” is benchmark novel and childhood favorite. Holiday House offers Kjelgaard’s children’s 1956 classic to a new generation of readers at an affordable price. This is an important title and should be included in all children’s/young adult collections.
Here is a summary for those of you who somehow missed this novel the first time around:
Danny is smitten with the handsome Irish setter from the moment he claps eyes on him. Red is Intelligent, quick, and noble; Red and Dan...more
Here is a summary for those of you who somehow missed this novel the first time around:
Danny is smitten with the handsome Irish setter from the moment he claps eyes on him. Red is Intelligent, quick, and noble; Red and Dan...more
Nov 14, 2008
Richard
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Young males
Recommended to Richard by:
My aunt, many years ago.
Jim Kjelgaard's Irish Setter books are the ultimate boy-and-his-dog adventure stories. Although it has been a very long time since I read them, I do remember that they completely enthralled me at the time, and captured my heart and imagination.
This is a book, from an amazing author, that will work its way into your heart and you will never forget. I read this book the first time when I was 7 years old, and now here we are almost 21 years later and I still remember the look, feel, and smell of the book, as well as the story and how it touched my life.
It was written in 1956, but the way it is written you can mostly picture it in any time period, which I like... but there are some instances where there are era correct phrases and it is a...more
It was written in 1956, but the way it is written you can mostly picture it in any time period, which I like... but there are some instances where there are era correct phrases and it is a...more
This is about a Big Red dog and a boy who really loves this dog and lives in a place I cannot remember the name. The dog is a show dog but he can tell he is a good hunt dog. Eventually he gets hired to be a trainer, but the dog's leg is injured and will not be able to show any longer. He turns him into a partridge dog. There is also a bear named Old Majesty because no dog has been able to run him down. Big Red is there to challenge him and they defeat him in the night. I really liked this book b...more
An animal lover all my life, I'm pretty sure I read Kjelgaard's dog books when I was a child. I didn't remember Big Red but was glad for the chance to re-read it. It was okay but I found it hard to relate to the setting and people. The hunting scenes didn't do much for me and the story was definitely dated. Sometimes these things prove timeless but with Big Red it just felt stiff. I also had trouble suspending my disbelief on many occasions. A boy-and-his-dog tale that I'm sure BOYS (and girls)...more
This was a good, classic story about a boy and his dog, and about growing up. I loved the loyalty between Danny and his dad. His dad didn't understand his decisions, but for the most part respected his right to make his own choices. I also thought it was great that Mr. Haggin turned out to be such a great guy, and understood Danny so well.
I liked the descriptions of Danny and Ross' life, how difficult it was to survive, and how they depended so much on each other. I expected several times that (...more
I liked the descriptions of Danny and Ross' life, how difficult it was to survive, and how they depended so much on each other. I expected several times that (...more
My impressions of Kjelgaard's series have faded into a few out of focus images except for my intense and enduring desire to own an Irish setter. This series made the dogs my favorite breed when I was thirteen, and that hasn't changed, ten years later. I connect them with incredible beauty, courage, intelligence, and devotion; a characterization that I credit to Kjelgaard's writing. I trust that, were I ever to pick up these books again I would still enjoy them as, at the very least, a platform f...more
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A great book, not only from a Boy And His Dog perspective but for the insights into the life of a North American hunter and trapper. Teenager Danny and the aristocratic red setter his father's boss has bought bond the instant they meet. Luckily the boss recognises true love when he sees it and allows Danny to look after Red at his cabin. As well as preparing Red for his career as a show dog, stud dog and partridge dog, Danny and his dad have to battle the elements and a neverending parade of fie...more
Great old classic, my true favorite when I was growing up. I remember the teacher telling me I had to do my next book report on a different author because all I would read was Kjelgaard books. My own kids are getting sick of me telling them they have to read these books. All kids are interested in now days is vampires and wizards and not real good quality stories of life lessons learned.
First book by Kjelgaard I ever read. Was recommended by my local librarian. I was hooked. Think I was 10. Since then I have read every thing he ever wrote and every once in a while I re-read one. Takes me back to a simpler time and place. Love outdoor adventures and I spend a lot of my time outdoors now; hunting and fishing. Kjelgaard really was a positive influence in my life.
read this because it was a favorite of my boyfriend's while he was growing up. for adolescent fiction, it was pretty enjoyable. quick read, endearing. would recommend it to anyone feeling nostalgic for a way of life they never lived. or anyone feeling nostalgic for a way of life they DID live but don't anymore. simpler times, etc. reminiscent (in a good way) of Where the Red Fern Grows.
I have read this book countless times and used to read it at least four times a year. I checked out the school library copy so many times my mom had to finally buy me my own copy. I desperately wanted an Irish Setter, but my mother wouldn't let get me one. Also, totally had a crush on Danny, hard core. He was probably my first crush, like, ever. Yeah, I'm a nerd.
Oh I loved Big Red. He was my ideal dog, his intelligence, loyalty, beauty, & sense of humor sold me on the Irish Setter as a little girl, & they have been the dog of my heart all my life. I have been fortunate enough to share my life, or parts of it, with 2 of them growing up, but I have never owned one as an adult, but I will someday :)
I can't believe I never read this book when I was younger, but I'm glad I had to read it now for Em's Language Arts class. This is a truly wonderful story, not only about the dog, Red, but the growth of Danny, the young man charged with caring for Red. This book has it all - adventure, drama, animals. A great read.
I read this as a girl, and really enjoyed it. I have just finished reading it to my own daughter. I grew up in the countryside, so understood quite a lot of what Danny experienced, but my townie daughter needed a lot of things explaining to her! In particular, she didn't like it when the bear killed Ross's hounds.
one of my memories from my boy and dog phase. i thought there were definitely not enough girl and dog books. but there was island of the blue dolphins and julie of the wolves.. and a million other BOY and dog books. so i read them. continued to develop a sharp eye for sexism and respect for animal intelligence :)
I read every book about dogs (and any animal for that matter) that I could find in elementary school. This is one of those. I saw a dog on the cover and I had to read it. It's a fairly formulaic boy-and-his-dog story, but it's a great classic. I put it right up there with Lassie and Old Yeller.
I can remember reading this when I was a very young boy and I have found memories of reading it over and over. I guess it is still popular. Maybe I will look for an ebook version and try to get my grandson to read it. I remember it was about a dog and I think it ends sad!
One of my favorites that I must have re-read at least five or six times between ages 9-12. A must-read for any kid or adult who loves loyal, brave dogs and wilderness adventures - along with an interesting contrast with an elite dog show in New York City.
Oct 26, 2010
Colleen Houck
added it
I started reading these dog books when I was in third grade. There is no substitute for a child's love of their pets and I wanted one more than anything. I loved all of Jim Kjelgaards books and highly encourage anyone to read them.
Big red IS NOT the usual book I read. But, nevertheless, I liked it. It's another book I had to read for school. It was totally DOG and quite a bit of adventure. I think it lead on to a dream I had with a pretty big red dog!
I love this book. This is a great kid's book. I am almost 30 years old and reread it last week, and it is such a great story. It is always good to read about the bond between a boy and a dog. Good story.
Jun 06, 2012
David
added it
I read pretty much everything I could find by Jim Kjelgaard when I was in the seventh and eighth grade. I just used something I learned from one of those books the other day to treat my dog for fleas.
This book singlehandedly convinced me that the ONE THING I needed to be happy in life was an Irish Setter.
Thanks, Big Red, for ensuring that I was perpetually miserable as a child.
Thanks, Big Red, for ensuring that I was perpetually miserable as a child.
I read a million of these dog books as a kid-- for a year or so, Kjelgaard was my favorite author. Only slightly spoiled by my dad telling me that Irish Setters are the dimmest of the dim dogs.
This is a book about a Irish Setter that is a realy good hunting dog but is also a good show dog. In the end Red and his owner are chaseing after old Majestk and red gets injerd. And will lose his hunter career.
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an American author of young adult literature.
Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 [2] and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's po...more
More about Jim Kjelgaard...
Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 [2] and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's po...more
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Dec 22, 2012 08:31am