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Quick answer: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is best for ages 10 to 12. It’s a beloved story about a boy and his two hunting dogs, but it includes raccoon hunting, a boy’s gruesome accidental death and the deaths of both dogs, so it’s very sad for animal lovers.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 10 to 12 (9+ with a parent)
Reading level: Grades 4 to 7
Genre: Classic children’s fiction
Published: 1961
Main concerns: Animal deaths, a child’s death, hunting
Movie rating: G (1974 film); PG (2003 film)
Where the Red Fern Grows is one of the most beloved and most tear-inducing children’s books ever written. Generations of kids have read it in school and never forgotten it. It’s a story of hard work, love and loyalty in the Ozark Mountains. It also contains deaths that are more graphic than many parents remember. This guide explains what to expect.
Table of Contents
What Is Where the Red Fern Grows About?
Ten-year-old Billy Colman lives on a farm in the Ozarks and wants a pair of coonhounds more than anything. His family is too poor to buy them, so he spends two years doing odd jobs and saving every penny.
Billy finally buys two pups, Old Dan and Little Ann, and trains them into the best raccoon-hunting team in the valley. Their adventures lead to a championship hunt, a terrible accident and a heartbreaking ending.
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Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Animal deaths | Significant | Both of Billy’s dogs die near the end, one after fighting a mountain lion. |
| Human death | Moderate | A bully named Rubin falls on Billy’s axe and dies in front of him. |
| Hunting | Central | Raccoon hunting is described in detail, including killing raccoons. |
| Violence | Moderate | A dog fight and a mountain lion attack. |
| Language and romance | None | No swearing or romance. |
| Positive messages | Very strong | Hard work, determination, loyalty and love. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is Where the Red Fern Grows a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| Under 8 | Usually too sad and graphic. |
| 8 to 9 | Possible with a parent, especially for animal lovers who can handle loss. |
| 10 to 12 | The sweet spot; it’s often read in fourth to sixth grade. |
| 13 and up | Still moving and rewarding. |
How Sad Is Where the Red Fern Grows?
Very. Most readers cry at the ending, when both dogs die, and many remember it for years. The death of Rubin is also sudden and graphic for a children’s book.
If your child is especially sensitive about animals, consider reading it together or waiting until they’re a bit older. Talking about the legend of the red fern at the end can help children find comfort in the story’s message.
Is Where the Red Fern Grows Okay for a 9-Year-Old?
Some 9-year-olds read it, especially as a read-aloud. The writing is straightforward, but the deaths can be hard. For younger children who have recently lost a pet, it may be better to wait.
Most schools introduce it in fourth, fifth or sixth grade, often with discussion.
What Parents Should Know
- Prepare for tears. The ending is famously sad.
- Rubin’s death is graphic. It’s brief but shocking.
- Hunting is central. Some kids find it upsetting.
- It’s a classic for a reason. Billy’s determination inspires many kids.
- The movies are family-friendly. The 1974 film is rated G.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for Where the Red Fern Grows
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of Where the Red Fern Grows.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- What does Billy’s hard work teach you?
- What makes Old Dan and Little Ann such a good team?
- How does Billy feel after the accident with Rubin?
- What does the legend of the red fern mean?
- Have you ever worked hard for something you really wanted?
If Your Child Isn’t Ready Yet: Similar Books to Try
These dog and animal stories range from gentle to emotional.
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: ages 8 and up. A boy hides a beagle from its abusive owner. This Newbery Medal winner is gentler and hopeful.
Check price of Shiloh on Amazon
Rascal by Sterling North: ages 9 and up. A boy raises a pet raccoon in 1918 Wisconsin. It’s a warm, true story.
Check price of Rascal on Amazon
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson: ages 10 and up. A boy and a stray dog protect a Texas frontier family. It’s another classic tearjerker.
Check price of Old Yeller on Amazon
Related: what age Hatchet is appropriate for and best books to read to your kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Where the Red Fern Grows appropriate for?
Where the Red Fern Grows is best for ages 10 to 12 and is often read in grades 4 to 6.
Is Where the Red Fern Grows sad?
Yes, very. Both dogs die at the end, and a boy dies in an accident earlier.
Is Where the Red Fern Grows violent?
It includes raccoon hunting, a dog fight, a mountain lion attack and a boy’s accidental death.
Is Where the Red Fern Grows a true story?
It’s fiction, but Wilson Rawls based it partly on his own childhood in the Ozarks.
What should kids read after Where the Red Fern Grows?
Shiloh, Old Yeller and Hatchet are popular next reads.