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Where the Red Fern Grows( The Story of Two Dogs and a Boy)[WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS][Mass Market Paperback]

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Where the Red Fern Grows( The Story of Two Dogs and a Boy) <> Mass Market Paperback <> WilsonRawls <> LaurelLeafLibrary

Mass Market Paperback

Published March 31, 1997

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38 people want to read

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WilsonRawls

3 books

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5 stars
85 (67%)
4 stars
26 (20%)
3 stars
12 (9%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Maggie Sharp.
62 reviews6 followers
September 12, 2024
Everyone needs the read this book!! For sure in my top ten books. The movie doesn't do Wilson Rawls justice. He was an incredibly talented author that people don't talk about enough!
Profile Image for Jen.
186 reviews
August 2, 2025
I came across this in a used book store and couldn't resist the nostalgia. This book still holds up almost 40 years after hearing my fifth grade teacher read it aloud.
Profile Image for Gabi Sofronea.
24 reviews
June 27, 2025
Where The Red Ferns Grow is a compelling work by the author

Wilson Rawls

Wilson Rawls is an author from America. As a boy he lived in the Ozark mountains which inspired him to write this book.
The overall impression this book gives off is an adventure about a boy and his dogs. If you read this book the initial impression it makes on you is very fulfilling. The first handful of chapters delve into the curiosity of a young boy's mind.
It delves into Billy Coleman's conscience. In chapter 3 Billy strives for 3 long years to get enough money to buy hunting dogs, imagine having the the want for something for 3 whole years and finally getting what you wanted, the feeling must be euphoric.

Billy Coleman is a headstrong and caring little boy. He was 10 when he started saving for his dogs, 13 when he had enough money and 14 when his dogs died.
The story starts when he sees an advert to a dog breeder in Kentucky. The first couple of chapters see him saving up for two Cedbone Coonhounds. After this the story takes a different approach to story telling, they are setting up a bunch of characters for different reasons. For example, the Prichard Brothers are set up as delinquents that only want to chew tobacco and hunt coons, which mirrors what happens to them in the Ghost-Coon chapter. On the other hand Billy Coleman is a headstrong and caring little boy. Which mirrors him winning the coon hunting tournament because he went out to save his grandpa from the snowstorm.
My favorite character has to be grandpa, he's the funniest, the most caring and the most helpful character in the book.[QUOTE]
My least favorite would have to be the Prichard Brothers, they are cocky, obnoxious and overall just bad people. [QUOTE]
The relationship between Billy and Grandpa evolves from a parent/kid relation to a friend/friend relationship, this makes for amazing storytelling from the author. The main story of the book revolves around Billy and his dogs hunting coons for meat and money. The author has a really exciting way of making the chasing scenes so intense and visceral, its honestly some of the best parts of the book. The coonhunting tournament is probably the most action packed part of the book.
The Prichard saga is the second most intense part of the book.
The aftermath of chapter 12 and 13 changed the rest of the book. It was no longer just a kids book that was set in the Ozark mountain, it was a thought provoking masterpiece.
The way the author makes every tree branch snapping, every coon hiss, every leaf falling so intense and exciting is so wonderfully marvelous is truly what all authors should strive to do.

In conclusion, I would 100% recommend this to anyone who likes dogs or hunting. The author has truly done some amazing work on this book. 10/10 would read again. :)
Profile Image for Tara Blais Davison.
721 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2025
5/5 Exceptional.

One of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever heard about a young boy, Billy Coleman, and his two exceptional dogs; Old Dan and Little Ann by (Woodrow) Wilson Rawls
The American author beautifully captured the striking essence of unconditional love and the unflinching loyalty of dogs. One of the most beautiful and fateful stories about love, dogs, character and faith I’ve ever known.

“I sucked in a mouthful of air. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing: there between the graves, a beautiful red fern had sprung up from the rich mountain soil. It was fully two feet tall, and its long red leaves had reached out in rainbow arches curved over the graves of my dogs. I had heard the old Indian legend about the red fern. How a little Indian boy and girl were lost in a blizzard and had frozen to death. In the spring, when they were found, a beautiful red fern had sprung up between their two bodies. The story went on to say, ‘0nly an angel can plant the seeds of a red fern and that they never died. Where one grew that spot was sacred.’”

“…if god made room for all good dogs in heaven then I know he made a special place for my two dogs”

Expertly read by Anthony Heald
Profile Image for Gabriel Kokenzie.
5 reviews
December 23, 2024
I have read a lot of books and out of all the books there is only on I have to read every year. At the time of this review I have read it four time.

I don't think it is possible to say here what the book can say for itself. This is easily my number one book of all time. First of all it is the only book to have ever made me cry (the first three times I read it), and even after all those times it still impacts me the way it did the first time.

Wilson Rawls first person story telling bond you so closely to Billy and his two red-bones that you feel everything along with them

I can't recommend this book enough

DISCLAIMER:
There is some language (the one downside to the entire book)
17 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2025
Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the red fern grows is, in my opinion, is one of the best books every written. The story is a mix of a tragedy and a rags to riches. I feel that when the family shows the mom the money is the best part of the story. I like that it is a tale which we could all place ourselves in and how dedicated the boy was to get the dogs. It was such a good book that I sound myself being the mood that Billy Colman was. The book is about a boy, Billy Colman, who really wanted two coon hounds and was finally able to get them. They had a lot of thrilling adventures together until the dogs died. It was a fabulous tale.
144 reviews2 followers
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June 22, 2025
Hey there! This is Charlie P. I’m 10 years old, and I am reading books to raise money for charity. I also want to help Moms find great books that their kids will love. Here is another review by me of a book I recently read.

I loved this book. The characters have a lot of feeling, and you won't want to put this down until the end. I would recommend this book to any kids from 9 to 13. The book has a classic, old fashion feeling to it, and, parents, you might enjoy this book too! My dad and I read it together. If you like action and adventure, this book will be a winner for you!
Profile Image for Ruby.
4 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2025
This is definitely my favorite book that is not a series. It is one of those books that just makes you cry your eyeballs out every few chapters! It was so sad, but totally worth it! This book is so cute, and I really love it. I have SOOOO much to say about it, but that would be a spoiler. Everybody, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!
Profile Image for Kevin Godinho.
237 reviews12 followers
May 1, 2025
4.5 stars. I'm rounding up. Really good book. Wholesome story about a hard-working and determined kid. There were some seriously shocking sections. It's a bit violent and graphic at parts. The last chapter was hard to get through. You know a book is good, a classic, if it makes you cry.

Really fun story with ups and downs. Lots of adventure. Great ending with good closure.
Profile Image for Kasey Box.
120 reviews
June 8, 2025
This is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE reads. The Heart and Depth of Feeling is overpowering. This story takes you from INSPIRATION to FEELING A SENSE OF ADVENTURE to THE SOUL CRUSHING CLIMAX...and finally the EXPLANATION OF WHAT THE TITLE MEANS. if you have not read this book. I challenge you to pick it up and do so...you won't regret it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily.
51 reviews
April 13, 2025
Such a good book! I really loved it! It was sad at the end, I even cried a tiny bit. It is such Beautiful story that I might even read it again! I recommend! Top five of my books! Definitely Everyone should read it! 🌸
Profile Image for Mary.
537 reviews
May 10, 2025
I dearly loved this book when I read it some 50 years (!) ago. Recently, I listened to it on Audible. I was surprised how much I didn’t remember, but still loved it. The narrator was excellent. The author’s full name is Woodrow Wilson Rawls.
Profile Image for Lillian.
30 reviews
June 23, 2025
Book made me want coonhounds so bad. Even after a decade of having read the book.
71 reviews
August 25, 2025
Wow! How have I not ever read this book? So good.
I would give it 6 stars.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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