⭐ Book Review: Where the Red Fern Grows [7-10]

Have you ever read a story that made you laugh, cry, and feel a warmth in your heart all at once? That’s exactly what happened to me when I immersed myself in "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls. This touching book beautifully captures the themes of friendship, determination, and the incredible bond between a boy and his dogs.

In this post, I’ll share a summary of the story and my personal thoughts. So, grab your favorite blanket, settle in, and let’s explore this memorable tale together!

By Caarmle, age 8 (I’ve seen things. Like the bottom of the snack bag.)

Okay, so this book is super good but also kind of sad, so if you cry, that’s okay. I almost melted in my salt.

It’s about this boy named Billy who lives in the country and doesn’t have much money. But what he really wants is two hunting dogs. Not robot dogs. Not hot dogs. Real, sniffy, barky, floppy-eared dogs. 🐕🐕

He works SO HARD for like TWO YEARS doing chores and stuff (no thanks), and finally saves up enough to buy two pups: Little Ann and Old Dan. They’re Redbone Coonhounds. Fancy name, huh? They’re best friends and also totally awesome.

Billy trains them to hunt raccoons, and they go on all these wild adventures in the woods. Like, running through trees, crossing rivers, chasing raccoons up trees, and probably stepping in raccoon poop (ew). But they work together really well. Little Ann is super smart and careful, and Old Dan is like, "I will headbutt this tree if I have to!" Very brave. A little bonkers.

Then something sad happens 😢 — a big scary mountain lion attacks them one night. The dogs save Billy, but Old Dan gets really hurt and… yeah… he dies. I know. I almost uncurled from the sadness.

Little Ann gets so heartbroken, she stops eating and dies too. I was like, “NOOOO, MY PUPPY FRIENDS!!” I might’ve dipped myself in chocolate just to feel something.

But then, a red fern grows between their graves. And in the book, that’s a big deal. They say only angels can plant a red fern, so it means something really magical and special happened there. It’s like nature’s way of saying, “Hey, these dogs were legendary.”

So yeah. This book is about love, friendship, dogs being heroes, and crying into your snack bowl. But it’s also kind of awesome because it shows how much someone can care about their pets. 🐾❤️

THE END.

P.S. If I ever get two dogs, I’m naming them Salty and Crunch. And we will only hunt for cheese sticks.”

Two playful puppies enjoying nature

One salty-sweet theme is friendship. Billy and his dogs are besties for life. They stick together through thick and thin, like dough and salt — chasing raccoons, camping in the woods, and just being awesome pals. You can really feel their love and loyalty, especially when they team up and never give up on each other.

Another big bite of the story is perseverance. Billy doesn’t just wish for dogs — he works, saves, and waits. When he faces tough stuff, like mountains or mean kids, he keeps going like a pretzel in a twisty storm. It shows that if you stick to something, sweet things can happen (even if it takes a while).

And then there’s loss. Yeah, it’s the tearful part. But it’s real. Billy goes through heartache, and even though it’s hard, it helps him grow. Like a broken pretzel piece still being part of the snack — the story shows that love and memory don’t go away.

So grab your pretzel snack and some tissues — this book’s got all the feels. 🥨

Wilson Rawls writes like he’s rolling out the dough for a perfect pretzel — warm, rich, and full of flavor.

His writing style is beautifully vivid. You can almost feel the crisp mountain breeze and hear the crunch of leaves under Billy’s feet. It’s like stepping into the woods with him, pretzel crumbs in your pocket and all. The details make the setting pop right off the page.

The pacing is just right too — like taking bites of salty and sweet. Action-packed scenes twist perfectly with quiet, thoughtful moments. It keeps readers hooked but also gives them space to chew on the big ideas.

It’s the kind of storytelling that sticks to your heart — like pretzel salt to your fingers. 🥨

In summary, Where the Red Fern Grows isn’t just a story about a boy and his dogs — it’s a heart-twisting journey of love, friendship, and resilience.

I think this book is a great fit for kindergarten and early elementary kids. If your little reader loves animals, exciting adventures, and deep friendships, they’ll likely gobble this one up like a warm pretzel on a chilly day.

So if you haven’t picked it up yet, or want a meaningful story to share with your kiddos, I totally recommend Where the Red Fern Grows. It’s one of those books that leaves a warm, salty feeling in your heart. 🥨

Buy the book here: Where the Red Fern Grows Don't forget to ask your parents!

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