Brenna M's Book Blog

“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 grown up between their two bodies. The story went on to say that only an angel could plant the seeds of a red fern, and that they never died; where one grew, that spot was sacred.”

I always loved Where the Red Fern Grows.  This is one book I will always need my box of tissues next to me, a cup of hot cocoa in hand, and a blanket around me on the couch. No matter the time of day, no matter if I stayed up to read it straight through or fell asleep clutching the book. A young boy's story of perseverance, hope while living in poverty, and learning to take responsibility. And the dogs, no one ever forgets his or her first pet. To remember and honor what having family and love means throughout your life, this is what is truly sacred and beautiful.

(original review 3/2014-Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls, is one book I can read and reread. About a 10 year old boy, living in a poor rural area where farming, hunting, working hard were not only the norm but how families survived, saves his pennies to purchase 2 hunting dogs. He raises them, with support from his family, to be incredible hunting dogs. The book starts with the main character, now living well in suburbia, looking back to his childhood and relationship with the dogs. I could not help but to fall in love with Billy, Annie, and Dan. Yes, there does seem to be an obsession with hunting for Billy. Learning to hunt, providing food for family, learning to use a gun, these were rites of passages for young people living at the time frame the story was set. The differences between a country boy and a city boy, at that time, seemed to be bigger differences then than they seem now. The author developed the characters well, used simple yet descriptive language. I definitely enjoyed this book and have recommended it to several people.