Themes

• Coming of age and personal growth

• The bond between humans and animals

• Perseverance and determination

• The power of faith and prayer

• The cycle of life and death

• The value of hard work and sacrifice

• The beauty and challenges of rural life

Setting

Set in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma during the Great Depression era, Where the Red Fern Grows paints a vivid picture of rural life in the 1930s. The story unfolds in the rugged, forested terrain of Cherokee County, where the protagonist Billy Coleman and his loyal coonhounds roam the hills and river bottoms in search of raccoons.

The novel's setting is characterized by its wild and untamed landscape, with dense forests, steep hills, and winding rivers forming the backdrop for Billy's adventures. Specific locations mentioned include the family farm where Billy lives, the nearby town of Tahlequah where he purchases his dogs, and the vast expanses of wilderness where most of the hunting takes place.

While the story primarily focuses on the rural Ozarks, it also touches on the broader socioeconomic context of the time. The Great Depression's impact is evident in the characters' lives, as Billy's family struggles financially and he must work tirelessly to save money for his dogs. This setting provides a rich tapestry for the coming-of-age tale, highlighting themes of perseverance, family bonds, and the deep connection between humans and nature.

Characters

• Billy Colman: The protagonist and narrator of the story. A determined and hardworking 10-year-old boy living in the Ozark Mountains who dreams of owning hunting dogs. Billy's perseverance leads him to save money for two years to buy his dogs. He forms an incredibly close bond with Old Dan and Little Ann, becoming an accomplished raccoon hunter.

• Old Dan: One of Billy's redbone coonhounds. Old Dan is brave, strong, and tenacious, often leading the hunts. He is completely devoted to Billy and forms a perfect hunting team with Little Ann.

• Little Ann: Billy's other redbone coonhound. She is the more intelligent and cautious of the pair. Little Ann's tracking skills and loyalty complement Old Dan's strength, making them an unbeatable hunting duo.

• Billy's Grandfather: The owner of the local store and Billy's mentor in coon hunting. He supports Billy's passion, enters him in the championship coon hunt, and provides wisdom and guidance throughout the story.

• Billy's Parents: Supportive and hardworking, they allow Billy to pursue his dream of owning hunting dogs. They use the money from Billy's hunting success to move the family to town for better educational opportunities.

• Rubin Pritchard: A local troublemaker who challenges Billy to hunt the legendary ghost coon. His actions lead to a tragic accident, serving as a turning point in the story.

• Rainie Pritchard: Rubin's younger brother. He idolizes Rubin and is devastated by his death.

Quick facts

• Author Wilson Rawls originally burned the manuscript for Where the Red Fern Grows out of frustration, but his wife encouraged him to rewrite it.

• The book is based on Rawls' own childhood experiences growing up in the Ozarks during the Great Depression.

• It took Rawls over a year to rewrite the entire novel from memory after burning the original.

• The book was initially rejected by several publishers before being accepted by Doubleday in 1961.

• Despite slow initial sales, the novel has now sold over 6 million copies since its publication.

• There is no actual plant called a “red fern” - it is a mythical plant in Cherokee legend.

• The story has been adapted into three films - in 1974, 1992 (a sequel), and 2003.

• The Idaho Falls Public Library features a statue of Billy and his two dogs from the novel.

• Rawls wrote the book for adults but it became popular among young readers and is now considered a children's novel.

• The Redbone Coonhound breed featured in the book saw increased popularity after the novel's success.

About the Author

Woodrow Wilson Rawls, born in 1913 in rural Oklahoma, overcame a lack of formal education to become a beloved children's author. Growing up during the Great Depression, Rawls developed a passion for reading and writing despite limited schooling. His mother taught him to read, and Jack London's wilderness tales inspired Rawls to pursue a career as an author.

For decades, Rawls worked various jobs while honing his writing craft in secret. He wrote several manuscripts but, insecure about his grammar and punctuation, kept them hidden. In a heartbreaking moment before his marriage in 1958, Rawls burned all his unpublished works out of embarrassment. However, his wife Sophie encouraged him to rewrite one of his stories, which became his classic novel Where the Red Fern Grows.

Published in 1961, Where the Red Fern Grows drew from Rawls' experiences growing up in the Ozarks. The autobiographical tale of a boy and his loyal hunting dogs struck a chord with readers and became a beloved children's classic. Rawls followed this success with another well-received novel, Summer of the Monkeys, in 1976. Both books won numerous children's literature awards and have been adapted for film.

Though Rawls only published two novels in his lifetime, his perseverance and evocative storytelling left an indelible mark on children's literature. His works continue to captivate readers with their heartfelt portrayals of rural life, the bond between humans and animals, and coming-of-age experiences. Rawls passed away in 1984, but his literary legacy endures through generations of devoted fans.