This is one of Wilson Rawls' finest works. It is a book which can be enjoyed over and over by audiences of all ages. Teachers may find that the book may be used to focus on the themes: perseverance, unconditional love, and death. Billy never gave up his dream of owning two dogs, regardless of the fact that it took him over two years to save the money for them. Once he had them, their love for each other grew to the point where they were willing to give up their lives for each other. As one of the characters in the book said, "You can read everday where a dog saved the life of a drowning child, or lay down his life for his master. Some people call this loyalty...but I call it love--the deepest kind of love." Mr. Rawls manages to vividly create this love in his words and transmit it to the readers. The legend of the sacred red fern also creates in the reader a sense of magic, almost heavenly type of love between the boy and his dogs.
The ending, as well as other parts of the book, are incredibly touching. Despite the fact that everything in the story revolves around Billy and his dogs, the author manages to entertain the reader with exciting events scattered throughout. This is a story for those in search of a dream and the inspiration for tenacity.
Rawls, Wilson. 1961.Where the red fern grows. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group,
Inc. ISBN 0-440-41267-6
