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Where the Red Fern Grows and Related Readings
Where the red fern grows / Wilson Rawls --
Lob's girl / Joan Aiken --
Luke Baldwin's vow / Morley Callaghan --
Old dog / William Stafford --
Grip / Brendan Kennelly --
Friends of the hunted Ryland Loos --
Why they quit: thoughts from ex-hunters / Dena Jones Jolma --
Two dreamers / Gary Soto.
Lob's girl / Joan Aiken --
Luke Baldwin's vow / Morley Callaghan --
Old dog / William Stafford --
Grip / Brendan Kennelly --
Friends of the hunted Ryland Loos --
Why they quit: thoughts from ex-hunters / Dena Jones Jolma --
Two dreamers / Gary Soto.
- GenresClassicsYoung Adult
328 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1997
18 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Wilson Rawls
24books986followers 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 21, 2016
I pick up this book from a public library and the librarians told me that the book was interesting and awesome and I read 2 chapter and I thought it was a boring book but then I realize that it was really cool and I did finish.
This is a story of a boy called billy and he doesn't go to school and he was inspired to go hunt by his father and other family and about a boy who buys and trains two Red-bone Coonhound hunting dogs. the
This is a story of a boy called billy and he doesn't go to school and he was inspired to go hunt by his father and other family and about a boy who buys and trains two Red-bone Coonhound hunting dogs. the
March 24, 2007
This was one of my favorite books as a boy. I was also a big fan of Summer of the Monkeys, but this one broke my heart each time I read it. And of course I never had a dog, but someday I'd like to have a hound dog. And also maybe a son. I'm less sure about living in the Ozarks, but I haven't ruled it out yet.
May 29, 2021
One of my favorite books. Shows the love of hunting and has a thrilling story mixed in. Powerful ending. Very fast read. Read it to the boys!
April 28, 2009
so sad :(((((
April 14, 2019
Where the Red Fern Grows, published in 1961, by Wilson Rawls, is a classic novel that endures in the heart and mind ever after. It is a moving adventure story and yet a tragically haunting tale of friendship between a young boy and his beloved coon hunting dogs.
"It's strange indeed how memories can lie dormant in a man's mind for so many years. Yet those memories can be awakened and brought forth fresh and new, just by something you've seen, or something you've heard, or the sight of an old familiar face."
Billy, a young farm boy, desperately wants coonhounds but his family cannot afford any. Eventually though, after a lot of hard work and saving, Billy can finally afford his two hounds. Upon getting them the two pups bravely howl at a mountain lion, which is a highlight of the story as well as foreshadows the future of the trio. He decides to name them Old Dan and Little Ann that night. Old Dan is the brave one and Little Ann is the bright one. After a long time training them for coon hunting they finally, after much effort, get their first coon (poor coonie). Billy soon becomes a full time coon hunter, hunting as often as he can, though there are many dangers that await him on this path. Ghost coon hunting, contests, bullies, and plenty of other adventures ensue.
This book offers not only cherished memories of a timeless classic but also an interesting glimpse into an era, and the life of a youth growing up on a farm in those days. This book is recommended to lovers of classic literature, nostalgic youthful adventure tales and tragic animals friendships. According to Indian legend, only an angel can plant a red fern...
[OFFICIAL RATING: 4.5 STARS]
November 6, 2017
Billy really wanted a dog as a kid but he was told by his dad that he couldn’t afford one. Billy’s dad gave him some rodent traps but Billy was not satisfied with just those traps. Then One day in a catalog he sees some coonhounds for $25.
Billy starts to train his dogs to hunt coons. Billy promises his dogs that all they had to do was tree the coon and Billy would do the rest for them. This tree was a huge sycamore tree it was bigger than Billy's house. Billy stays there and his father finds him in the morning and brings him breakfast. Billys dad said that the coon had probably left and billy was waiting there for no reason.
A blizzard comes and everyone decides to go back to camp, but once they get there they realize that Billy’s grandfather is missing. They found him with a twisted ankle and unconscious. They win and get $300 and a gold cup, which he promised to give to his little sister. They win and get $300 and a gold cup, which he promised to give to his little sister.
Billy starts to train his dogs to hunt coons. Billy promises his dogs that all they had to do was tree the coon and Billy would do the rest for them. This tree was a huge sycamore tree it was bigger than Billy's house. Billy stays there and his father finds him in the morning and brings him breakfast. Billys dad said that the coon had probably left and billy was waiting there for no reason.
A blizzard comes and everyone decides to go back to camp, but once they get there they realize that Billy’s grandfather is missing. They found him with a twisted ankle and unconscious. They win and get $300 and a gold cup, which he promised to give to his little sister. They win and get $300 and a gold cup, which he promised to give to his little sister.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2023
My 4th grade teacher read this book to our class when I was a child and I recalled having fond memories of the book, but didn't remember much about it other than that it had dogs and a boy.
So, when I stumbled upon the title on the Great American Read List(2018), I was unsure about reading a "children's" book. But, I finally picked up a copy through Thriftbooks' points program.
I was not prepared for such a delightful book. It doesn't require the great concentration needed to chew through the literary greats, and is simply a joyful read. The passion, determination, grit, and pure love are incredibly written.
However, I did not realize that reading the end of this book while my husband had company over, was not the best of ideas until I was bawling like a baby!
So, when I stumbled upon the title on the Great American Read List(2018), I was unsure about reading a "children's" book. But, I finally picked up a copy through Thriftbooks' points program.
I was not prepared for such a delightful book. It doesn't require the great concentration needed to chew through the literary greats, and is simply a joyful read. The passion, determination, grit, and pure love are incredibly written.
However, I did not realize that reading the end of this book while my husband had company over, was not the best of ideas until I was bawling like a baby!
January 19, 2024
So, In the begging to get a hound, now I kinda want a 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 🐩 poodle. And when he saves money I didn't think it would be 2 YEARS. I cried at the end though because they died 😢 😭 😔 😪 😕 😞 😢 😭 😔 😪 😕 😞 😢 😭 😔 😪 😕 😞 😢 😭 😔 😪 😕 😞 😢 😭 😔 😪 😕 😞 😢 😭 😔 😪 and I was sad and didn't want to finish it, but I did and now I'm happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2019
Had not read this as a preteen or since. Enjoyed the book but it contains some outdated ideas about hunting, predators and gender roles. I liked the descriptions of the woods and the critters therein.
December 15, 2023
I cried more when reading this book than any other book. I remember my mom and I read this book to each other and we both cried, but for some reason I could still speaking relatively clearly while crying and she couldn't, so I ended up reading most of the ending.
July 5, 2018
Classic story about a boy in the Ozarks around 1920. Heart-warming story paints a picture of life on a farm during that era.
February 8, 2020
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN DURING THE COURSE OF MY 54 YEARS ALIVE!!!!!!! A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER READ IT!!!
August 29, 2023
Simple enjoyable book.
March 1, 2025
Still makes me cry.
May 21, 2009
"this is about a youg boy that does not go to school. so he got enspirered by hering his dads friends talk about there hunting days.and all the fun they had hunting with there dogs.so he tells his dad that he wants to hunt and he wants two blood hounds.but his dad says it is to much, so he goes look for some cheap dogs on a add. then he finds two for $50. so he begins to work for his mony".
"I recomend this book to everone.it is a okay book it is eazy yo read. it is a nice book to read so far it is good but I heard it is nice at the end."
"I recomend this book to everone.it is a okay book it is eazy yo read. it is a nice book to read so far it is good but I heard it is nice at the end."
February 13, 2009
A truly heart warming but sorrowful tale of a boy and his dogs. I had to get this book when I saw , I always loved this story and hope to pass it on, since I first read it in fourth grade.
April 20, 2010
This book is a touching story about a boy with to dogs and the adventure of a racoon hunter. This story has happy and sad moments that will make you cry. I read this book in the 7th grade Engligh class. It is a great story for young kids, and also parents with kids. It shows the bond between kids and there pets.
March 26, 2007
i was around 10 when i read this for school, and was sobbing so hard at the end that in order to finish it my mother had to read the last pages to me aloud, then she started sobbing. clearly we're wusses.
December 15, 2009
This book is a heart warming story that is about a boy with to dogs and the adventure of a racoon hunter. This story has happy and sad moments that will make you cry which I'm prety sure you will. It isa great story.
February 12, 2010
Read this with my 12 year old son for our Parent Child Book Club. It was one of his favourite books from school last year. It is a lovely story about a boys and his dogs, a bit of a surprise choice for my son
since he usually goes for the fantasy and gore books.
since he usually goes for the fantasy and gore books.
December 24, 2007
i didn't finish it yet i'm in chapter 10...lol
May 5, 2009
the relationship between the dog and the boy reminds me of me and my dog but i think i would die if my dog died on me! -tear- =(
May 31, 2009
I didn't read all of the related readings, but a lot of them I did not want to read.
March 6, 2016
Class Work
November 19, 2017
This is a sad sad book. You really learn a lot about the culture in which this book takes place. I� cried reading this book and watching the movie.
May 19, 2007
I've read this book more than any other and I cry every time. Seriously.
January 30, 2018
This book is good but i got mixed up towards the end but i reread the end I got it. I do think this book is good and you should read it!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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