Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows – Round 2 (pages 84-183) Chapter 9 Why is Billy crying? Billy is crying because the raccoon is in the tree and his muscles ache from chopping. What plan of action does Grandpa suggest? Grandpa says to build a scarecrow. What does Grandpa think about young boys chopping down such large trees? Grandpa feels as though this is something that every young boy should have to do in life; it gives kids will power. Describe what happens when Billy is wrapping his hands to make a final attack on the tree. He asks for help, he looks to the trees, see the tree blowing at the top, and begins to hear the popping as the tree falls. Chapter 10 What did Billy’s mother do with the first coon hide? She made him a coonskin hat. Which dog does Billy think is smarter? Billy thinks Little Ann is the smarter dog. What happened to the price of coonskins? The price of a good coonskin jumped between $4 and $7. Describe what happens to Old Dan and how Billy managed to rescue him. Old Dan got trapped in an old muskrat den. Little Ann was able to find Old Dan so Billy was able to dig him out. Another “pickle” Old Dan got into was when he wedged himself up a hollowed out tree, out onto the limb. Billy had to climb the tree to get Old Dan down. Chapter 11 Why was Billy unable to see his dogs? The fog was too thick. What has happened to the dogs? Little Ann has fallen into the middle of the river. How does Billy rescue his dogs? Billy uses a long pole, a lantern hook, and the light to “fish” Ann from the water. At the end of the chapter, why does Billy keep checking the handle of the lantern? Billy wanted to see if the “unseen power” really helped him. He wanted to see if the lantern handle would fall. Characters Billy Little Ann Old Dan Setting River bottoms Problem Little Ann is caught in the river, clinging to the icy banks. Event #1 Billy asks for help from the unseen power. Event #2 Billy hears a metallic sound (lantern) triggering his idea to save Ann. Event #3 Billy cuts cane, and makes a hook from lantern to “fish Little Ann” from water. Solution Billy saved Little Ann with the “fishing pole” and creates a fire to bring her back to life. Chapter 12 Describe the Pritchard family. The family is very mean. The family is secluded in the hills and keeps to themselves. What bet do the Pritchard boys make with Billy? The Pritchard boys bet Billy and his grandfather that Little Ann and Old Dan can’t tree the ghost coon. The bet is for $2. Why does Billy agree to the bet? Billy only agrees to the bet after grandfather agrees. The Pritchard boys really got under grandfather’s skin and that is why Billy agrees to the bet. Describe the ghost coon. The ghost coon is a wiley, old coon that cannot be treed by any hunting dogs in the area. Chapter 13 Why does Billy give Rubin the two dollars? Billy doesn’t want to kill the ghost coon. Where is Little Ann finally able to locate the ghost coon? Little Ann is able to find the ghost coon at the gatepost. Why doesn’t Billy want to kill the ghost coon? Billy doesn’t want to kill the ghost coon because it has lived so many years. Describe the horrible scene Billy is confronted with after breaking up the dogfight. Billy turns to see Rubin with the axe protruding from his stomach and blood coming from his mouth. How does Billy pay his respects? Billy decides to put flowers on the grave of Rubin, which is located on the Pritchard farm. Chapter 14 Why does Grandpa blame himself? Grandpa let the Pritchard boys get to him and he was the one who made the bet. How does Billy feel about entering the championship coon hunt? Billy is very excited to enter the coon hunt. Who will be going to the championship coon hunt with Billy? Billy, grandfather, papa, and his dogs will be going on the hunt. What does Billy think his chances of winning are? Billy is confident in his dogs and he feels as though no other dogs can be his dogs. Why is Billy worried about Little Ann? Billy is worried about Little Ann in this hunt because she is gun shy and all of the hunters will be using guns to scare the coons from the trees. Chapter 15 How is Billy treated like a man on the way to the hunting grounds? Billy was being spoken to like a man and he was allowed to have coffee. Explain the superstition about hearing a screech owl. It is believed to be bad luck if you hear two screech owls in the night. Why was Billy awarded a silver cup? Little Ann won the beauty contest and Billy was award the cup. What night is Billy set to hunt? Billy is going to hunt the 4th night. Why did Billy crawl under the buggy? Billy crawled under the buggy because grandfather discovered that he used his hair comb to groom Little Ann for the contest.