Where the Red Fern Grows

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Summary: A good book that will keep you on the edge of your chair....
Review: " Where the Red Fern Grows" is written very powerfully and maybe a little too detailed at the ending for me. I remember my 4th grade teacher would have to go out in the hall when she would read the ending to her class, because it was so heartshattering. But there are good times with Billy Coleman and his two dogs Little Ann- small but smart, she can track any coon in the Ozarks; and don't forget Old Dan- big and tough he may be, he doesn't let go of those coons. Okay, let me give you a brief tour on the book. Billy Coleman lives in the Ozarks with his three sisters, mom and dad. He has had puppy fever for quite a while, so he saves up money to buy two hounds with the help of his faithful grandpa. He trains those dogs, making them the best in the valley. They get so experienced with their hunting skills, grandpa enters Billy and his dogs in a coon tournament. Does he win? Sorry, you'll have to find out for yourself and read the ending. Billy and his two dogs will surely find a way into your heart.

Rating:
Summary: A real tear jerker!
Review: An awesome story of a boy's love for his dogs. A boy billy raises two dogs after he sends away for them. He goes through the struggles of teaching them how to be great hunters. He also has to deal with a group of boys who are always harassing him and giving him a hard time. Toward the end of the book the boy enters his dogs into a contest to see who has the best hunting dogs. The ending is great.....probably will reduce most animal lovers to tears.
A must read!

Rating:
Summary: Is there a better story out there?
Review: NO, this has to be the best story I have ever read. I read this book recently to my 7 year old son. Wanting to show him the power of books. I was worried he'd be upset by the ending in this. I shouldn't of worried. I was the one who ended up crying and reading it to him at the same time. As an adult I felt foolish. He wasn't near as upset about it as me and I KNEW what was going to happen since I read it as a child myself. WOW, the power of a book. Simply amazing.

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Summary: Where The Red Fern Grows, A Most Touching Story
Review: The book "Where the Red Fern Grows" is about a 10 year old boy named Billy, who wants two coon hounds to hunt with. When my 7th grade English class started reading the abridged version this year, I thought it was the corniest book, but boy was I wrong. In the book, Billy, wants two coon hounds that together are fifty dollars. This is during the Great Depression, and his family won't buy the dogs for him. He saves every penny he gets by helping fisherman and other people who camp down at a river in the Ozarks. After two long years and a prayer he got his coon hounds. He and his grandfather kept the fact that he had saved all that money, a secret. Because Billy didn't want to wait to have someone that shopped at his grandfather's store take him to Tahlequah, he walked the hundred miles in three days. After 6 days, Billy returned with his dogs and various items for his 3 sisters, his mother and his father (because the price of the dogs had dropped to 30 dollars). Eventually hunting season starts and before it had Billy had named and trained his two dogs Little Ann and Old Dan. He immediatly took them hunting. The first coon they had treed, was in a tree that was so wide, that one couldn't even stretch and arms length and reach the other side of the tree. But Billy had made a promise to his dogs that the first coon they had treed he would kill the coon. Billy, kept his promise. They continued to hunt all throughout the season even in horrible storms. If you read the book, you will understand how aggressive Little Ann and Old Dan are. Then, near the end of the season grandfather sees an ad for a coon hunting champion and immediately enters Little Ann and Old Dan. Two days before the championship begins, Grandfather, Papa, Billy and the dogs, set off for the grounds where the championship will be held. When they get there, they sign in and there is a contest that night. You can enter your dog to try to win the beauty contest. Billy works up Little Ann and enters her, (for she has far less scars than Old Dan). The next night is the beginning of the hunting part of the championship. Billy, along with three other hunters, will hunt on the 4th night. When everyone thinks it's the end, three hunters, including Billy, are tied with the most amount of coons. So they have one more night and there is a blizzard. Little Ann and Old Dan get lost. They almost freeze to death before anyone finds them. But wouldn't leave the coon they treed. Eventually the championship ends and everyone goes home. There is much more to this book but it's the tear-jerker climax part of the story. I recommend this book to everyone because it's one of the most touching books I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: where the red fern grows
Review: This is a book you'll always come back to, despite your age, reading level, or intellect. I first read this book when I was in 4th grade, and since then, I've probably read it every few years, at least. The story/plot is a little cliched at times and is almost too linear, but there are a few twists along the way. However, the relatively simple story doesn't detract from the novel as a whole. The simple story fits the simple characters, and it all seems congruent. The book is very well-written. Rawls has a unique gift for using detail, without the details themselves becoming distracting. He also uses rather simple language and style, but like Hemingway, it works, and seems to bring the words to life. The first-person perspective is perfect for this type of story. Although the book borders on corny at the ending, it doesn't cross the line. It's sappy, but not disgustingly sappy, so that makes it ok. If you don't cry during this book, then you might not be human. I love this book and also Summer of the Monkeys, also by Rawls. I wish he'd written more books in the same genre. You will not regret reading Where the Red Fern Grows.. It's just too good.