• Where the Red Fern Grows

  • By: Wilson Rawls
  • Narrated by: Anthony Heald
  • Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (7,355 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Where the Red Fern Grows  By  cover art

Where the Red Fern Grows

By: Wilson Rawls
Narrated by: Anthony Heald
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.00

Buy for $18.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

A loving threesome, Billy and his two dogs ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan has the brawn, Little Ann has the brains, and Billy has the will to make them into the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. Soon their skills will be put to the test as they brave the dangers of the wilds for the ultimate glory.

Since its publication over forty years ago, this heartwarming tale of a boy and his dogs has touched millions. A tale of adventure, special friendship and coming-of-age, Where the Red Fern Grows makes for delightful listening. This unabridged production, featuring a moving performance by Anthony Heald, brings this enduring classic to life and makes a powerful story even more unforgettable.

©1961 Woodrow Wilson Rawls (P)1995 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, an Imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"This title is an excellent selection for family listening or for anyone desiring an uplifting, but realistic tale." (AudioFile)

Featured Article: Stirring Audiobooks Guaranteed to Make You Cry


When life gets overwhelming, there’s nothing more comforting than getting lost in an emotional listen and having a good cry. Whether a novel or a memoir, listens that make you cry are always a good thing: it means you’ve connected with the characters, become invested in the story, and truly feel the feelings—heartache, regret, betrayal, grief—the author intended to convey. Listen in to one of these audiobooks that will leave you reaching for the tissues.

What listeners say about Where the Red Fern Grows

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6,456
  • 4 Stars
    607
  • 3 Stars
    159
  • 2 Stars
    46
  • 1 Stars
    87
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,246
  • 4 Stars
    599
  • 3 Stars
    170
  • 2 Stars
    34
  • 1 Stars
    54
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,515
  • 4 Stars
    412
  • 3 Stars
    100
  • 2 Stars
    43
  • 1 Stars
    53

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

What a great story!

This book runs the gamut of human emotions. I loved this book when I was younger and really enjoyed visiting it again through an Audio version. I liked the narrator's voice alot. I thought he captured the nuances and feelings in the book perfectly. This is a true classic, one you can enjoy again and again. And yes, I did cry at the end just like the first time. :-)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

46 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Where the Red Fern Grows

Where The Red Fern Grows is a book that is a classic in my opinion. The first time I read it I was 11 years old and I have read it probably twenty times more since then. It compasses all the emotions that humans are capable of and the true loyal and loving nature of dogs. Big Dan and Little Ann loved each other and Billy more than words can can express. It broke my heart right along with Billy's when his little hounds passed away. Even the intro when he is supposed to be a grown man and taking care of the stray dog tears me up. If humans knew how to be as loving, loyal, and kind as dogs the world would be a wonderful place! Anyone who picks this book up will sure to love it whether you are an animal lover or not. I recommend this book to all ages and genders. It is truly a classic and one you will be sure to read over and over again!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent for children and adults

A wonderful and moving story of a boy and his love for the two hunting dogs he raises. The Ozark forests are beautifully remembered and the dangers and challenges that boy, his dogs, and his family face are exciting, and deeply moving. While not for young children, this book will be memorable for both children and adults. The reading is near perfect in pace and tone.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read this it's great.

I love this book. I read it as a child and remembering it as one of my favorites I decided to listen to the audible version. Twenty years later it is still just as good as I remember.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome story - but dont buy for kids under 10!!

Any additional comments?

This is a fantastic story with a great moral and a lot of adventure for boys. BUT, the ending is very sad and one of my 8 year old boys was traumatised. He has been having nightmares and tears and can no longer sleep alone. Unfortunately, the story was so vivid and wonderful that he became so involved and consequently was most upset at the ending. Mine are very well read kids, and not sooks, and I don't think it was worth the trauma. I would definately say wait till your kids are at least 10 (unless they are not remotely imaginative).

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

I loved this book as a child. It was wonderful - beautifully read. I listen to books when I work out at the gym. I think that the people around me must of thought I was crazy - at the end of the book I was on the treadmill and tears were running down my face and my nose was running. Just a wonderful, fabulous book and great reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great depiction!

The vivid description of the hounds and the wilderness of nature is among the best! And the narration is also great adding to the intense storyline. But I wouldn't recommend a kid under 10 to read it unless reading it with an adult. Some scenes are a little graphic and violent. At some point, my eyes were definitely more widely-open! Overall, it's a wonderful book, especially it is endowed with certain kind of belief and faith that bring the story warm flows of feeling.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good story for the whole family

We all enjoyed the plot- ages 6 to 54!
The perspective of a young boy gives an adventurous feel to simple life lessons of love and persistence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love story of a boy & his dogs

I read this book as a child and saw the movie. I wanted my sons to experience it too, but they would never willing pick up a book, so this was the best option for our long commutes in the car. Such a wonderful and heartfelt story! Two thumbs up, a thousand times over!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Definately a keeper!

I truly, truly enjoyed this listen, beginning to end. The touching story along Anthony Heald reading it made this one of the best books I've heard. I laughed; I cried and was totally entertained the entire listen!! It's a keeper.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful