RULES

We just started this book, but you found out a lot about the character Catherine in it.  Tell me about her. 

Where the Red Fern Grows

Saddest story I have ever read.  I was completely heart broken by what happened to Billy's dogs.  This story really shows the connection you can have with a pet.  Losing something like Billy did would be extremely difficult.  Especially if the things you lost were the result of them saving your life.  I think it would be different if they dogs were old and they had a chance to do everything together their whole lives.  But their lives were cut short and they didn't get that chance.  His dad made a great point that GOD didn't think they should be separated as a family and that is why they were taken from him.  Maybe that's true.  I still believe he would have preferred to live out their lives together.  I want to know how you felt about the book. 

Beauty Contest

During this last chapter, Billy is finding out what it is like to be part of a "band" of hunters.  The contest is all he hoped for, but also very unfamiliar to him.  At one point, he finds out there is a "Beaut Contest" for the best looking dog.  I really don't think Billy has any idea what a beauty contest is or how to prepare for one (he ends up using butter to groom his dogs).  But in the end, his true love for his dogs shows and it even helps him win the contest.  Little Ann ends up walking straight to him and everyone goes crazy when this happens.  He ends up winning the silver cup.  Even though I have read this book 20 times, it still makes me feel so proud and happy for Billy when good things happen because of all the hard work he has put in.  What are your thoughts about the Beauty Contest?  How are you feeling as we read this story? 

The Bet

An extremely interesting event happend in our story Where the Red Fern Grows.  Billy and his grandfather decided to take the bet that the Pritchard boys made.  All in all, it seemed pretty harmless.  Three boys hunting the elusive Ghost Coon.  But we know from the story the Pritchard's aren't very well behaved kids.  As the scene evolves, Billy and his dogs don't tree the Ghost Coon so he pays off his part of the bet.  Suddenly, the dogs find the Ghost Coon, but Billy doesn't have the heart to kill it.  This is where the story takes quite a turn.  They Pritchards start to beat up Billy, but Billy's dogs end up fighting with the Pritchard's dog and almost kill it.  Then the unthinkable happens.  Rubin, who had taken Billy's ax, goes after his dogs to kill them.  He trips over a stick and lands on the ax and dies. 

I don't know what I would do in this situation.  Shock is they only way I could describe how I would feel.  I want you to tell me your thoughts as you heard these last two chapters.  What was going on in your mind?