Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows is a timeless coming-of-age story that hits hard no matter your age. Though aimed at younger readers, this novel holds a powerfully emotional narrative that captures the heart of anyone willing to dive into its pages. It follows Billy, a determined young boy growing up in the Ozarks, and the deep bond he forms with his two beloved coonhounds, Old Dan and Little Ann. What makes this book shine is its honest portrayal of hard work, loyalty, and loss. Billy earns his dogs through perseverance, raises them with love, and trains them into champion hunting dogs. His growth as a character—his independence, compassion, and quiet strength—is inspiring, especially as he faces the responsibilities of adulthood far earlier than most. And yet, his family—especially his grandfather—remains a grounding, loving force throughout his journey. But be warned: this book does not spare your emotions. Against all hope, you may try to convince yourself that not all endings are tragic—but Rawls doesn’t flinch from portraying the harsh truths of life. The ending is deeply heartbreaking, and it's not something you'll easily forget. Few books make you weep in public, but this is one of them. The grief is raw, the love is real, and the final image of the red fern is as poetic as it is symbolic. Even the so-called antagonists—such as the rival boys or even the tragic death of one—are handled with complexity and empathy, allowing readers to feel compassion even for the flawed characters. This nuance adds depth to what could have been a simple tale about a boy and his dogs and instead makes it a story of resilience, sacrifice, and deep emotional growth. Where the Red Fern Grows is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant story that explores childhood, devotion, and the pain of growing up. It's a must-read classic that lingers with you long after the final page—and yes, it may just break your heart, but it’s worth every tear.

LOVED this book for "children" (I am 72) about the deep love and devotion between humans and dogs. Cried for the last 10 pages.

This will forever be my favorite book. It is the one that taught me that you can escape into another world with reading and fall in love with characters.

I first read this book as a kid in 5th grade. Well, actually, the class listened as the teacher, Mrs. Brown, read the story. I remember her reading the story a chapter or two a day for about 2 weeks. A story about a boy and his love of his two dogs spoke to me as I was also a boy who loved dogs. The story stayed with me for years. In 2025, I ran across the book on Kindle and remembered a bit about it from years ago. I bought it. I took me a few months to start reading it and six months to finish it. The reason it took so long was I wasn't reading much at the time as I have the last month. Mr. Rawls was able to tell this story in a way that the reader had no trouble following along. I could imagine Billy working hard and saving the money to get Dan and Ann. I could see their nightly hunts. The tragedy of Rubin Pritchard's death, the exhilaration of Ann winning the Dog Show, both Dan and Ann winning the Hunting Championship, and crying when reading about the deaths of Dan and Ann. I also like how Mr. Rawls included several instances of answered (and unanswered) prayers.

My son's favorite book. Nice hard back.No damages, arrived on time.

My grandson is 8 and is just starting to read chapter books. Might be a little advanced for him but I will hope he reads it in the future.

Excellent story for any age. A story about family, making do with what you have and being grateful. It's about a young boy coming of age with his hunting dogs

I first read this book in 5th grade and it gutted me. To this day I don’t think I’ve ever read a more heartbreakingly beautiful book. I UGLY cried for 5 days straight. I reread it as a young adult, thinking it would be a nostalgic read but not as emotional..I was wrong. I bought a copy for my kids to read but at 44 I am still not ready for a 3rd read. Will forever be my favorite book.

The story line is of the maturing of a boy to a young man in the wilds of the USA, by wanting and then training dogs to hunt coons (of Davy Crockett hat fame). I am not giving any more away. Read it.

Kleiner Spoiler aber ich muss es loswerden, das Ende des Buches war für much emotional damage ×1000. Aber ansonsten eine schöne Geschichte über die liebe eines Jungen zu seinen Hunden.

they are both Xmas presents so have not been opened yet

A classic youth novel! Will make a great gift!

Not impressed with the quality of the book. Considering it should be a gift very disappointed it looks worn and second hand 🤦🏻‍♀️