10/26/09

Where the Red Fern Grows

Author: Wilson Rawls

Publisher: Doubleday

Publication Date: 1961

Genre: Young Adult/ Mystery

Audience: Gr. Young Adult

Overview: As a young boy Billy worked hard to buy two Redbone coonhounds, Old Dan and Little Ann. He raises the dogs and trains them to hunt very well. They go on to win the gold championship in the prestigious coon hunt however when they attempt to tree a mountain lion, Old Dan is killed and Little Ann stops eating out of depression and dies as well. At the gravesite, a beautiful red fern grows which forever serves as a reminder of the true friendship and loyalty the two coons had to Billy.

Activity: Create a list of vocabulary words that students do not know as they read the book. Write a reflection of the emotions evoked from the novel.

Reviewer’s Name: Kate Williams