Product Description

Billy, Old Dan and Little Ann -- a Boy and His Two Dogs...

A loving threesome, they ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains -- and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. And close by was the strange and wonderful power that's only found...

An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29718 in Books
• Published on: 1997-03-12
• Released on: 1997-03-12
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .38 pounds
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 256 pages

From Amazon.com
Author Wilson Rawls spent his boyhood much like the character of this book, Billy Colman, roaming the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma with his bluetick hound. A straightforward, shoot-from-the-hip storyteller with a searingly honest voice, Rawls is well-loved for this powerful 1961 classic and the award-winning novel Summer of the Monkeys. In Where the Red Fern Grows, Billy and his precious coonhound pups romp relentlessly through the Ozarks, trying to "tree" the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion. When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs. This unforgettable classic belongs on every child's bookshelf. (Ages 9 and up)

From AudioFile
In spite of being written during the Depression, there is a timelessness to this simple story. Young Billy works two long, hard years to earn the money to realize his dream-to own a pair of dogs for hunting raccoons. Rawls instills this autobiographical piece with a strong sense of right and wrong, as well as innocence and integrity. Anthony Heald is wonderful with this action and emotion-laden story. He aptly delivers a tone and sense appropriate to the text. He also does a particularly good representation of young and old voices and a variety of Southern accents. This title is an excellent selection for family listening or for anyone desiring an uplifting, but realistic tale. S.G.B. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Ingram
Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains, and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too.

Customer Reviews

Once upon a time when I was a little girl
I hate it when a reviewer gives the story away, so I won't. Safe to say, though, that when I was a little girl, I read a book in one night, under the covers with a flashlight. That book, of course, was WTRFG. I just re-read it again after 20 some-odd years. I am surprised to find that I cried as hard as I did as when I was 9. I was once again, so engrossed that I read it in one night, ignoring the fact that I had to work the next day. It is a beautiful story, a timeless one. A childhood favorite. I am amazed that it didn't win a Newberry Honor medal, or some other kind of award. This is one of the books that helped instill a loving of reading at an early age. A GEM, don't miss it. A story about a young boy on the brink of manhood and his love for his pups....whom he worked so hard for. You will laugh and cry, at age 9, 29, or 99. Buy it for your kids, and rea it for yourself.

Where the Red Fern Grows
Where the Red Fern Grows

This exciting book takes place in the Ozark Mountains, during the Great Depression. Saving for two years, ten-year-old Billy finally gets what he has been dreaming of. Billy has wanted a hound dog ever since he first heard one, during a coon hunt one year. After all his hard work he buys his two hound pups, Ol'Dann and Li'l Ann. He trains them each and everyday, and tries to make them into the best hound dogs around. With the help of his Grandpa and Dad, he gets to go on breath-taking adventures. Where he faces death, wins a little something and loses something dear to him.
I love this fictional book because it is based on a true story. I also love this book because it is such a thrilling book about love, adventure and passion for dogs. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves some drama, excitement and a little bit of crying! Even if you don't like dogs or any of this stuff I still think you should read this book. Because I read this book, loved it and I hate dogs!

Is there a better story out there?
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.