Where the Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls

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• ISBN13: 9780553274295
• Condition: New
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Book Reviews of Where the Red Fern Grows

Book Review: Heart warming classic for all ages
Summary: 5 Stars

The time period was the depression and Billy is lucky to have two hounds and he values these animals as his prize and joy. Billy would learned first hand the power and responsiblity he weild with this animals. The depravation of the depression had not prevent this boy from experience life. Billy's grandfather meets with Billy while is chopping down the old sycamore tree. The grandfather thinks it will be good for the boy to chop the tree down, telling him to finish the job he has started. A delimma arose after the grandfather told Billy, his mother had prepared chicken and dumplings for supper, and they would need to leave soon. Billy didn't want to miss supper nor did he want the coon to get away. A compromise was worked out as the grandfather showed Billy how to be build a scarecrow, to keep the coon in the tree, while they ate supper. The next day Billy woke up, to find only little anne begging for his attention. He realized that old dan was not around and was probably down at the scyamore tree corning the coon. Old dan responded to Billy's call and he scolded little anne for not being as faithful as old dan. Once, he realized a larger and smaller bed in the leaves near the tree, he was convinced his two hounds were the best. He was very confident in the quality of his animals.

Billy felt bad about chopping the old tree down. However, Billy's desire to catch the coon was as strong, as the natural instincts of his dogs. Billy chopped all day until his hands were blistered. He wrapped his hands and continued to chop. Billy stopped chopping with a groove that almost went through the tree. However, it was not enough for the tree to fall. The tree was almost ready to fall. Exhausted he walked off a distance and kneeled down to pray. He prayed for help to push the tree over. This is a very powerful moment in the book. Billy didn't want to give up, but knew he had reached his limits. He sought divine help in his quest.

Shortly after a gush of wind pushed the tree, the tree seemed to fight back, but with a burst of crackling, it fell over, and with a strong thud, hit the ground. He realized the cause and effect of the tree falling. He had destroyed the old tree to get the coon and could not what nature had provided. Billy pondered, if it was worth chopping the old tree down, to get at the coon.

It seemed odd to Billy, how the tree fell since the other trees did not seem affected by the wind.
Once the tree fell, the coon escaped out of the branches. The coon put up a fight, but Billy's hounds eventually killed the coon. The blood and injuries associated with killing the coon shocked Billy. Billy picked up the dead coon by the hind legs and carried off his prize.

Billy brought the coon home and told his father about the old sycamore tree and the wind. Billy mother said she was afraid for him when she heard the tree fall. Billy told her he was far away from the tree and it couldn't have hit him. Billy asked his father, if he thought that God had helped him push over the tree. His father told Billy he would have to decide for himself. Billy maked his decision. I found the story to be about a young boy becoming a man. His father, mother, and grandfather watched and understood Billy's transformation and were pleased with the values this young man discovered.. Billy on the other hand learn some of the harsh realities of life.

Summary of Where the Red Fern Grows

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• Books > Subjects > Teens