Where the Red Fern Grows

About the book

Ten-year-old Billy Colman lives in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression. After two years of hard labor saving fifty dollars, he purchases two Redbone Coonhound puppies, Old Dan and Little Ann. Billy trains the pair to hunt raccoons during the winter nights, relying on Old Dan’s physical strength and Little Ann’s intelligence. The trio navigates the rugged river bottoms and steep hillsides, eventually entering a prestigious championship hunting tournament. Their bond is tested during a life-threatening encounter with a mountain lion, leading to a conclusion based on a Cherokee legend regarding the sacred red fern.

This story is intended for young readers interested in the outdoors, animal companionship, and the realities of rural life. It provides a direct look at the discipline required to train working animals and the persistence needed to overcome poverty. Readers gain an understanding of the grief that follows the loss of a pet and how cultural folklore helps people process death. The book remains a staple in classrooms for its clear depiction of grit, loyalty, and the inevitable transition from childhood into the complexities of the natural world.

Details

Published

1961

Language

EN