Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I didn't read "Where the Red Fern Grows" until I was in my late sixties. It came about as part of a search for good books to read aloud to fifth grade classes. I asked my niece what book(s) she enjoyed at that age, and she recommended "Red Fern". Even at my advanced age (and that was about four years ago) I really enjoyed it myself. Right now I am almost half way through on my first experience of reading it to classes and I will report back on whether I was able to refrain from crying towards the end. (It takes a while when the sessions are only once a week for 30 minutes).
Since I am male, I don't like the idea of crying in front of a class of fifth graders but that is certainly not the worst thing that could happen to me in life! It's a possibility I accepted when I proposed "Red Fern" to the teachers, so whatever happens will be O.K.
The Voice of Bugle Ann by MacKinlay Kantor is also very very good. Some similarities, hunting dogs, similar area but involving men not a child. Written in 1935. There was a movie but I don't think its been digitized as I 've never seen it or been able to find a copy.
Just reporting back to say that thanks to the raves and tender memories shared here, I remembered to look for it at the library (would have really preferred kindle format but am managing with an old paperback). Happy to report that I have just started it. I mentioned it to my daughter who said she absolutely remembered reading it in elementary school and that it might have even been required reading. I have no clue where I was.......zero recognition of this title or anything about the book.
So again thank you all for posting about it and letting me know I had missed something.
Hello--- well I finished it this morning-
I really enjoyed it and was at times moved to tears. I have to admit that although I did read it all, I didn't love all the details regarding the trees and trails and so on but I guess it enhanced the story. It was a beautiful story and I can certainly see why it is so well remembered and raved about by those who read it. I wonder if it is still a standard book for elementary/middle school kids, what with the gory stuff and killing the raccoons.
I did find one or two things a little puzzling as an adult- maybe I read it and didn't remember but I thought when they are finally leaving the farm behind that more would have been explained about what that entailed. Just a side comment on my part but I was a little confused with that.
I loved the dogs, loved when he went into town to pick them up, loved their relationship with each other and him of course.
A very sweet story and I am glad that so many mentioned it and got me to read it.
Today I read the part of the book where the two dogs die to four different fifth grade classes. The first of the four classes was the most difficult; although I managed not to cry, my voice choked up a half a dozen times. I got through the other three classes more easily. A few of the kids cried, but no body broke down sobbing. It was, though, a very somber and grave moment for them all - it's a thing which can be read on their faces.
Today I read the part of the book where the two dogs die to four different fifth grade classes. The first of the four classes was the most difficult; although I managed not to cry, my voice choked up a half a dozen times. I got through the other three classes more easily. A few of the kids cried, but no body broke down sobbing. It was, though, a very somber and grave moment for them all - it's a thing which can be read on their faces.
You are giving those kids such a gift. My fondest memory of 3rd and 4th grade (I had the same teacher) is of her reading to us every day after lunch. We could put our heads down on our desks or draw if we wanted to. I don't remember anyone ever misbehaving while she did that. It was probably 15 or 20 minutes or so and seemed like such a relaxing time.
I hope to be able to do something similar when I retire.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
