Where the Red Fern Grows (1961)

Saddest childhood book ever. ( )

Poor boy saves his money to buy a hunting dog. He earns enough for two. He trains both dogs to become the best raccoon hunting dogs in the area. Then Tragedy stricken the family. ( )

Oh, this book. I read it first with my 6th grade class (I probably never would have read it on my own) and I think it was the first book that made me cry.

I’ve kept my same copy from 6th grade for more years than I care to count, but it’s probably been since high school since I’ve actually read it. But now I have my own daughter with her own insatiable appetite for books, and I wanted to read thru it again to refresh my own memory before handing it off to her.

Mr. Rawls is maybe not the most eloquent of writers, but his style reflects the time and place of the story very well, and it’s simple and lovely in its way.

There were a couple of disturbing parts in the book, but it wasn’t gratuitous or out of place, and it fit with the style and setting of the book. Now I just have to determine when my daughter would be mature enough to handle these things. I remember being deeply affected by both parts when I read the book originally, but even though they’re fairly descriptive, it wasn’t traumatic. Almost worse than either of those was the end, when Billy brings his dogs home and over then next few days, both of them die. It’s completely heart wrenching to see him struggle and come to grips with one blow after another as it happens.

This is definitely a book for all my kids to read, in their time. It’s full of adventure and real life; love and conflict and grit and joy and pain. ( )

I have always loved classic children's literature and have read much of it. I especially love the classics that have animals in them. This particular book is one of my favorites and I think it is equally good when you it as an adult or as a child. The characters are engaging and realistic and the story draws you in. It is also equally good as an audiobook. ( )

You will enjoy this wonderful classic featuring Billy of the Ozarks and his two hunting dogs. I still remember reading this book as a child in school several years ago.