29) Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Rawls, Wilson. Where the Red Fern Grows. Yearling, 1996. 208 pages. ISBN: 978-0440412670.
Genre/Subject: Adventure

Ages: 9 and up


Plot: A young boy named Billy lives on a farm. He wants two good hound dogs that can hunt raccoons. His family is poor and cannot afford to buy him two hounds.  Billy decides to work hard and earn the money to buy the hounds himself. From selling fruit to cleaning, to baiting for fishermen, Billy saved his money until he has enough to buy the dogs. He gives his money to his grandfather, who orders the dogs for him. When they arrive at the post office, Billy cannot wait for them to be delivered, so he sneaks out in the middle of the night and walks into town to pick them up. In town, other people recognise how he is dressed and a boy picks a fight. Helped by the Marshal, Billy is able to continue on his way home. Billy decides to name the two hounds Dan and Little Ann, because he saw two names carved into a tree, inside a heart, with an arrow. Billy begins training the hounds to catch raccoons. His goal is to make the hounds the best raccoon hunters in all of Arkansas, by taking them on a hunt every night. One day Billy's grandfather makes a bet with two boys that Billy's hounds will catch a "ghost coon". The boys start fighting, and Ruben takes Billy's axe, trips, and accidentally kills himself. Billy blames himself for Ruben's death, and decides to quit hunting. Billy's grandfather presents a coon-hunting contest, and wants Billy to enter. Billy decides to let his hounds compete in the contest. Although the hounds were distracted from killing hounds, to save Billy's grandfather, a kind competitor allows Billy to take the win--the gold cup and the money. The money is enough for the entire family to move into town and start a new life. On a camping trip, Billy's hounds fight with a mountain lion. Dan is killed in the fight. Billy is distraught about the death, and Little Ann refuses to leave the grave-site of Dan. Little Ann will not eat, and slowly dies at the grave-site where Dan is buried. Before leaving, Billy visits the grave-site and notices a little red fern--legend says that only angels can plant a red fern. This gives Billy closure, and they leave for the town.

Review: This is an excellent boy-and-dog story. The story shows how hard work and determination can be rewarded.  The read is easy, and the descriptions keep the book interesting. The plot changes, offering a sense of adventure. This story also has a range of emotions--it alternates between sadness and happiness. The family dynamic is also positive. Despite the fact that Billy's family is poor, they support him in his hunting activities. Billy has a fantastic relationship with his father, and he shows respect to his mother and gets along well with his younger sisters. Tweens will identify with Billy's feelings of anticipation, determination, patience, courage, happiness, love, and loss.