May 18 2009
Contest Entry: Where the Red Fern Grows
Review by Morgan C., Age 13
Before reading this inspiring book, I didn’t know how much someone could truly have such perseverance to accomplish something. While reading it, I realized that just because something is out of reach, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Amazingly, it has really taught me to be more open-minded, which is what the character in the book became.
Billy is a young boy with a longing heart for something as simple as a loving pet. Although he absolutely knew it was impossible, he persevered towards his goal by beginning with doing the absolute worst, begging his parents. Not surprising, it didn’t work. After that experience, he right away turned to earning the money completely by himself. Accomplishing his goal, which was receiving his dogs became the greatest reward, because he proved to himself and to others that even though it seemed impossible, it certainly was not.
“This book taught me a lot,” would absolutely be an understatement and pretty boring. Before anything, I must say that the details were incredible because even in sentences such as when the author was describing two cups on the mantel, they could have just said, there were two cups, but no. “The highly polished surface gleamed and glistened with gold sheen.” Being an incredible writer the words gleaming, glistening, and sparkling occurred. Amazingly, I have learned that you could take a bunch of boring old words and turn them into an inspiring book. Details have the ability to make any book or essay sound and look better.
Overall, this absolutely incredible book has really inspired me. I have learned to be more open-minded and the writing technique of adding specific details is incredible. Where The Red Fern Grows is a phenomenal book.
Rachel’s Note: Morgan has reviewed a classic of children’s literature. Where the Red Fern Grows is a beautiful written story of love, loss, and — as Morgan points out — doing the impossible. I loved the quote Morgan chose to share in this review as an example of descriptive writing. The author shows the cups instead of just telling us about them. As Morgan so aptly put it, "Details have the ability to make any book or essay sound and look better."
