Mrs. Stephens’ Class Nears the Final Chapters of Where the Red Fern Grows
February 04, 2026
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Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #3In Mrs. Stephens’ classroom, the atmosphere has been buzzing with anticipation as her students approach the final chapters of Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls’ classic novel about determination, loyalty, and the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dogs. For weeks, the class has journeyed alongside Billy Colman, experiencing the triumphs and heartbreaks that shape his coming of age story in the Ozark Mountains.
The novel has sparked deep conversations about perseverance, responsibility, and the emotional power of storytelling. Students have been especially drawn to the relationship between Billy and his two coon hounds, Old Dan and Little Ann, admiring their teamwork, courage, and devotion. As the class nears the book’s emotional conclusion, many students are already reflecting on how the story has affected them.
Hutson Marshall shared that he’s been “hooked since the first hunting adventure,” and he’s both excited and nervous to see how Billy’s journey ends. He said the book has made him think about what it means to work hard for something you truly want.
Audrey Wallace expressed that she’s loved the way the story blends adventure with heart. She mentioned that the book has made her feel “connected to the characters in a way that makes it hard to stop reading,” and she’s preparing herself for the emotional ending she’s heard so much about.
Mrs. Stephens has guided her students through discussions about setting, character development, and theme, helping them explore not only what happens in the story but why it matters. As they prepare to close the book for the final time, the class is carrying forward lessons about love, loss, and resilience, lessons that linger long after the last page is turned.
With just a few chapters left, the students are eager, reflective, and a little sentimental. Their shared experience with Where the Red Fern Grows has become more than just a reading assignment, it’s a journey they’ve taken together, one that will stay with them long after the red fern is planted in their imaginations.
