Where the Red Fern Grows with Related Readings

by Wilson Rawls

Young Billy Colman is about as happy as a fellow can be. Having worked hard for two years to buy two bluetick hound pups, he is now free to roam the Ozark hills of northeastern Oklahoma with his cherished dogs, treeing raccoons and eventually taking the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest. This simple story of a young boy growing up during the harsh years of the Depression presents timeless themes of right and wrong, innocence and integrity. A tragedy leaves Billy grieving, but he learns important lessons about life from a culture very different from his own.

Related Readings

from Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood—memoir by Willie Morris

"Harnessing the Howls"—newspaper article by Karin Winegar

"Coon Hunt"—humorous essay by LeRoy Powell

"The Best Coon-and-Possum Dog" and "The Split Dog"—traditional folktales

"The Dog of Montargis"—folktale retold by James Baldwin

"The Velveteen Rabbit"—fairy tale by Margery Williams
--glencoe.com

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Childrens

224 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2000

About the author

Wilson Rawls was born on September 24, 1913, in the Ozark country of Scraper, Oklahoma. His mother home-schooled her children, and after Rawls read Jack London's canine-centered tale Call of the Wild, he decided to become a writer.

But the Great Depression hit the United States in 1929, and Rawls left home to find work. His family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1935, and he came home each fall to work and hunt. He wrote stories while he traveled, but his lack of formal education hampered his grammar, and he could not sell anything. In 1958, he gave up on his dream and burned all his work. He later revealed his literary desires to his wife, Sophie, and she encouraged him to keep writing.

In a three-week burst, Rawls wrote Where the Red Fern Grows, a highly autobiographical and poignant account of a boy, his two hounds, and raccoon-hunting in the Ozark Mountains. His wife edited his grammar and, after serialization in the "Saturday Evening Post," Doubleday published the novel in 1961. By the late 1960s, word-of-mouth helped the book become a classic for young readers. Rawls wrote (and Sophie edited) one more book, The Summer of the Monkeys, in 1976. This, too, became a classic. Rawls died in 1984 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Reviews

[Isadora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I don't feel like I would have read this book on my own. The type of story wasn't for me, although I would like to start reading classics more. The author's writing style was very excellent. He wasn't straight-forward. He used a lot of figurative language and built up the suspense for the next chapter (sometimes). I rated this book for the story and writing style. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

[NA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally the school has given me a book I actually really like. This book was absolutely fantastic, everything in this book was very details and feel like I was actually watching a movie it was awesome! This book wasn't bland or anything like that also the characters I loved i wish I had a little more about them, but that's ok. Also the story wasn't plan and boring I've never lost my interest in the story from the beginning to the end.

🚨Spoiler🚨

I did warn you, now for the people who have read this book did you also cry when little Anne and old Dan died because I DID! OMG the way old Dan died was so sad 😢 and little Anne will she died omg my heart! Little Anne miss Old Dan so much and was so depressed she died like wtf 😢( my eyes are water up writing this, I like just finished the book ok so all the feeling are very fresh 😢). Also the grandfather in the book almost the same way my grandfather acts the attitude the humor and determination lol. Also the relationship between Billy and the grandfather I can totally relate to 😆.

💙NOT SPOILER💙
I loved every part of this book I totally courage you to pick it up and read it. It's very easy to read also very short and if you're looking for a happy/sad book this is your book I guarantee you will love it as well😊😊

[Farah Miyagishima · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Not every 200 page story can provoke such raw emotions. I caught myself laughing, smiling, and crying (I mean hysterically crying). Throughout the whole book you can sense the love Billy Coleman has for his dogs, and the dog's love for Billy. The determination they had for each other is beautiful, and the sport of hunting. Also, I think that the ending to this story is so sad and beutiful that you ugly cry. Honestly, I think there is tear stains in my book. I don't have any more words for this story, because I don't want to spoil it; because you need to read it!

[Melinda Borda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy spends his days and nights dreaming of having his own pair of coon hounds so that he can hunt. His parents cannot afford to buy the dogs for him so Billy sets to work on his own to earn the money to buy his own coonhounds. When Billy is finally able to buy his hounds, his dreams have come true. He works hard to train the best set of coon hounds in Oklahoma. Billy's first hunt with his hounds leads them to tree a coon in the biggest tree around. Billy doesn't think he'll be able to get the hound of the tree. But his hounds won't leave the coon behind. So Billy tells his hounds he'll chop down that tree. And even though it takes over a day, Billy does the job. From then on, Billy and his hounds are almost inseparable. They continue hunting together. Billy learns to work hard, to honor his promises, to walk away from bullies, and so much more.

Content considerations: During one of Billy's hunting adventures, another boy hunting with him has an accident while running and holding an ax. The boy falls on the ax and dies in Billy's arms. The description is pretty heavy.

Joel (9): It's a lot of fun. It's a lot where someone is trying to--it's about hunting, and the dude is trying to get dogs famous. I like Old Dan because he's awesome, and because he charges into fights because that's exactly what I would do.

Alexa (8): I like Little Ann because she's really cute.

[Maddie Fritsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me cry more than any 200 page book I’ve ever read. The beginning was a bit slow, but the ending made it worth it. The sobbing was real in this book.

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever. I know, I say this a lot, but I really mean it this time...and last time. And there always is that other one...

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story never gets old, a classic tale of a boy and his dog. Recommend for older readers as it contains topics that may be too tough to understand for younger readers.

[Wendy Blacke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that ever made me cry. It still makes me cry as a 36 year old woman.

[Ian Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some novels can evoke powerful emotions in the reader, and Where the Red Fern Grows is one of those books. While I’m surprised I never read this wonderful novel in middle school, my strong emotional reaction to the final chapters makes me glad I didn’t. Author Wilson Rawls delivers a classic and powerful story that will continue to resonate with me for a while.

As a dog lover, I was drawn into the story from the start and could identify with young Billy Colman’s desire and determination to acquire two dogs that would be his responsibility. Billy’s adventures and emotional journey with his hunting dogs throughout the story captivate the imagination.

The author’s ability to evoke strong emotions from the reader as Billy and his dogs encounter and experience myriad situations while on the hunt makes this coming-of-age story a truly unforgettable tale.

Admittedly, I cried as I read the last few chapters of Where the Red Fern Grows. As an avid reader, I can only think of a handful of novels that have affected me in this way. Even thinking back to those final chapters now, I get a little choked up.

Wilson Rawls has a masterful way with language, and his ability to draw in and connect the audience with his characters showcases why this novel has been a literary classic since its debut in 1961. If you didn’t read this book in school or glossed over it as another boring book to read for class, I recommend revisiting it. The story has a greater and more impactful meaning as an adult, and its themes and life lessons make it a timeless story for all ages.

I highly recommend Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. I also recommend keeping a box of tissues handy for the final chapters.

[Christina HowMc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother daughter book club read. It is interesting how differently I remembered this book from childhood. I remember crying for hours after reading this as a child. I wasn’t saddened as an adult reading this, maybe because I’ve seen so much of the cycle of life or because i can appreciate sacrificing for someone you love and see it as second nature. My daughter is still trying to work her way through, as she is bogged down by the archaic aspects of Billy’s life but I loved the reminder how much we have to be thankful for in modern society. 4.5 stars.

[Sandy (Ms Reads A Lot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the last 80 pages of this book with both joy and sadness. I knew the end was coming but I could not put the book down.

This is the story of Billy. All Billy wants in life is 2 dogs… 2 very specific dogs, coon hounds. He does everything he can to earn money to buy the dogs.

The love Billy has for the dogs is really what makes this story special. It is amazing and sweet but so very very sad in the end.

I definitely shed a tear (or two).
Loved it. May read it again 💕💕💕💕💕

[Destiney Cleveland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that we read in jr. high as a class, and it was an amazing book about the love the little boy had for his dog. The ending of this story is sad, and I cried a little when we watched the movie and finished the book. This is a book that I would provide for older students but not younger ones.

[Trey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up this was my favorite book. In a short 200 pages, the author invokes so many emotions. It is a great story for people of all ages about a boy and his dogs. This book tells the story of a young man who works hard to achieve his dream of owning two coon dogs and, once earning them, fights every step of the way to keep them safe.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing how this book ends, I have avoided reading it for so long.

While the hunting aspect was a turn-off for me, the relationship between Billy and his dogs, and more so between Little Ann and Old Dan gripped me.

A must-read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandmother/grandson book club read. I never read this book when I was younger, and I’m so glad I chose it (at age 76!) to read with my grandson. He hasn’t finished it yet, so I’m looking forward to his review of this wonderful coming of age story of a boy and his beloved hunting dogs.

[Tony Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

[Jocelyn Wynveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old classic! Loving story of a boy and his dogs.

[Laura Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed me as a child, and my idea of what it means to want and love something more than the limitations you may think you have.

[Dakota Betts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is sad

[Grarden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS ONE MAKES ME CRY

[Glenda Cortez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is nostalgic for me. I love this book.

[Faye Reaume · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it was very sad. The 2 dogs are my favorite part. I rate it 5/5!😁🫣

[Alaina Juneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic!

[Delores · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story....a boy and his two dogs!!! I smiled...laughed...and finally I cried, feeling all the joy and pain of Billy Colman, the main character. The love shared between he and his dogs cannot be ignored or totally explained. However it is there in the pages of this book and is worth reading. And yes I do highly recommend.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1st time I read this was to my 4th grade class in 1974. The whole class, including myself, were crying so hard as we finished the book I let the class out 20 minutes late. Many parents called me that night wanting to know why their child was so upset!

[Ethan Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book I loved Little Ann and Old Dan because they were always able to find their way into places and catch racoons so I just loved them both. When his dogs were dieing it made me really sad because I used to have a dog but then it died, but it was a good book.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible book about a boy, his dogs and life in Eastern Oklahoma during the Depression.