Where the Red Fern Grows - Rambling Readers

Hardcover, 212 pages

English language

Published July 1, 1996 by Delacorte Press.

ISBN:: 978-0-385-32330-7
OCLC Number:: 35700462

(2 reviews)

Growing up in the Ozark Mountains of northeastern Oklahoma, Billy Colman wants nothing more than to own the pair of coonhound pups he saw advertised in a sportsman's magazine. Although the sum is tremendous, Billy is determined, and after two years of hard work and saving, the two puppies become his.

Billy's pups are his "shadow," following his every move through the dark hills and icy river bottoms in search of the elusive raccoons. The three gain a fine reputation as an inseparable team when they win the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, capture the deceptive ghost coon, and, in the most difficult battle of all, put up a fierce struggle against a mountain lion.

But the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, and Billy's days of freedom and innocent boyhood rapidly end. Yet much remains for Billy: he not only has his wonderful memories, …

Growing up in the Ozark Mountains of northeastern Oklahoma, Billy Colman wants nothing more than to own the pair of coonhound pups he saw advertised in a sportsman's magazine. Although the sum is tremendous, Billy is determined, and after two years of hard work and saving, the two puppies become his.

Billy's pups are his "shadow," following his every move through the dark hills and icy river bottoms in search of the elusive raccoons. The three gain a fine reputation as an inseparable team when they win the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, capture the deceptive ghost coon, and, in the most difficult battle of all, put up a fierce struggle against a mountain lion.

But the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, and Billy's days of freedom and innocent boyhood rapidly end. Yet much remains for Billy: he not only has his wonderful memories, but he learns a beautiful old Indian legend which gives them sacred meaning.

As it has for generations, this modern classic is sure to warm the hearts of young and old alike. --front flap

39 editions

crabbygirl reviewed Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Review of 'Where the Red Fern Grows' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

sob - what a sad, sad ending. i cried and cried.

always meant to read this book, and - being so well known - it was hard to escape the (also well known) plot point of the dogs dying.... even the children knew this before they heard the story (we own a book on tape called 'no more dead dogs' where the narrator rails against reading this book where not one, but two (!) dogs die)

the beginning of the tale was beautifully written - drawing the reader in with nostalgia and foreshadow. before long, i was immersed in the story, and forgot to steel myself for the tragedy.

my favorite part was this boy's determination to get those pups - the odd jobs, the saving of every single penny, never losing sight of his goal for a full 2 years. and then he walks for 2 days to get …

sob - what a sad, sad ending. i cried and cried.

always meant to read this book, and - being so well known - it was hard to escape the (also well known) plot point of the dogs dying.... even the children knew this before they heard the story (we own a book on tape called 'no more dead dogs' where the narrator rails against reading this book where not one, but two (!) dogs die)

the beginning of the tale was beautifully written - drawing the reader in with nostalgia and foreshadow. before long, i was immersed in the story, and forgot to steel myself for the tragedy.

my favorite part was this boy's determination to get those pups - the odd jobs, the saving of every single penny, never losing sight of his goal for a full 2 years. and then he walks for 2 days to get them. this is not a boy - this is a man who is inside the body of a boy. this is someone worthy of aspiration & imitation.

THIS is a tangible hero for children.

J. J. Zepfanman @...readers

rated it

Feb. 9, 2011

Subjects

Dogs -- Juvenile fiction
Hunting -- Juvenile fiction
Ozark Mountains -- Juvenile fiction