Where the Red Fern Grows

Description

Ten-year-old Billy Colman longs for two Redbone Coonhounds and spends two years earning the money to buy them. After traveling a long distance to collect the dogs, he returns to the Ozarks and, with help from his grandfather, begins the demanding work of training them for raccoon hunting. Billy and the hounds grow into a closely bonded team whose skill earns them a formidable reputation. Their hunts lead from a contest against a legendary raccoon that has defeated generations of hunters to a championship against seasoned competitors. When a blizzard engulfs the final night, ambition gives way to endurance and loyalty. Shaped by autobiographical elements, the novel portrays childhood determination through the risks and responsibilities of loving animals.

Themes