"Where the Red Fern Grows" is a children's novel by Wilson Rawls about a boy named Billy Coleman who lives in the Ozark Mountains. Billy dreams of owning a pair of Redbone Coonhounds for hunting, so he works hard and saves money to buy two puppies, whom he names Old Dan and Little Ann
. Billy trains his dogs to be excellent raccoon hunters, and the trio shares many adventures. Eventually, Billy enters a championship raccoon hunt and wins, despite harsh weather and tough competition. However, during one hunt, a mountain lion attacks, and though Old Dan and Little Ann save Billy, Old Dan dies from his injuries. Little Ann later dies from grief, leaving Billy heartbroken
. Before moving to town for a better education, Billy visits the graves of his dogs and finds a red fern growing between them. According to an Indian legend, only an angel can plant a red fern, symbolizing a sacred or divine presence. This gives Billy comfort and a sense of peace about the loss of his dogs
. The novel is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of love, friendship, determination, and coping with loss through the bond between Billy and his dogs
