"Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls Tugs at Your Heart (UPDATED)

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is a children’s story about a hard-working, determined boy who loves to go coon hunting with his two hound dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann. He lives in the Ozarks on a farm with his mother, father, and three sisters and a cat. He also has a close relationship with his grandfather who helps him out and encourages him.

I have mixed feelings about this book because I like all animals so felt a little sorry for the poor raccoons who got hunted down by the boy and his dogs. It was interesting though learning habits of the raccoons. I didn’t like the boy or the parents in the beginning when he set his traps and caught his cat several times! That got me mad. Then he redeemed himself when he loved his dogs and had great adventures with them which included some suspense. At certain parts I cheered but thought the ending was horrible.  This story has its ups and downs.  If you enjoy sad books, you have to read this one! Yes, this is a tear jerker. I think the story should have ended sooner, like after the big coon hunting contest, and I would have liked it much better. The title of the book isn’t explained until the very end which I thought a bit strange. Get your tissues ready if you choose to read the whole book!

It is similar to the Shiloh series which I loved!
(Karen's review, 3 stars)


Gerard's Review 8/30/15 (4 stars):
Billy Coleman is a little boy living with his family in the Ozark mountains.  What he wants most of all is two coon hounds so he can go hunting and to keep him company.  It does not seem he is going to get them, but then he decides to do something about that.  The first 100 pages I did not think this book was all that!  From page 100 to the end though, it got really good.  That is because the dogs became the focus on the story, and what a story it is!

I really loved Billy and how he would do anything for his dogs!  The dogs were fantastic!  I did not like the ending though--too sad.  Anyway, based on Billy and his dogs, I give this 4 stars.

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