This is my second book review. If you don't like it, I apologize. I try my hardest to be honest and describe things as they are, but if I do a poor job of constructing an analysis of my reasons for liking this book, please forgive me and my poor writing structure.

Where the Red Fern Grows. A vividly written middle-grade book for children. Young adults. Grown adults. Elderly adults. Anyone can read and enjoy this wonderful classic.

I remember reading this emotional story in seventh grade. Honestly, I've never read anything like it. At the end of the book, I was literally crying because of how well-designed and three-dimensional the characters were. I loved Billy's relationship with his two dogs. This book perfectly describes what it's like to have a pet or pets. Billy is a very complex main character, and despite his age, he doesn't come off as an unruly and annoying teenager, as most main characters of young adult fiction do. I was able to relate to him and found him very likable. Most of the things he did made a lot of sense, and he carries fatherly traits within him. This can be seen through the way he protects his dogs and invests his time in them.

I wasn't a big fan of the ending, but it just showed how attached I became to the story and how much I loved it. I became woven in with the characters, looking at the events through their perspectives and imagining myself in their shoes as the story progressed.

The setting was perfect. The author went into detail as he described where Billy and his family lived and made it feel as if I could close my eyes and see the place. I liked how he placed emphasis on the beauty of the place. He made it feel homely and showed why Billy, the main character and owner of Old Dan and Little Ann, was attached to that place and believed it to be better than industrialized cities and towns.
The relationship between Old Dan and Little Ann was lovely. I like how the dogs were so close to each other and protected each other as much as possible. They were like a brother and sister duo, always by each other's sides and cooperating to complete tasks with Billy.

At times, the book was funny, tense, exciting, and sad. There were so many scenes that evoked conflicting emotions within me as I read them. As I said, the ending wasn't my favorite part, but it was very satisfying and led me to the conclusion that this is one of the best books I've read throughout my childhood, if not the best.

Overall, the main lesson I got from the book is that it's better to have an animal as a companion rather than an ungrateful human being. If you like animals and you like rural areas, this book is certainly for you. I hope they keep this book in schools so the future generation can enjoy this heartwarming story. ✨✨ ( )

This book is one that I come back to over and over again. ( )

AR: 4.9

IRL: 3 - 7
awards: New Hampshire Great Stone Face Award

New Hampshire Great Stone Face Children's Book Award

Massachusetts Children's Book Award

North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award

Reading age: 8+ ( )