Big Red may be a bit dated, but there is something about a story of a boy and a dog that remains warm and friendly.
High Point: The outdoor adventures of hunting, fishing, trapping, and dogs.
Low Point: Some actions in the narrative may be uncomfortable to 21st century sensitivities.
Author: Jim Kjelgaard
Publication Date: 1945
Genre: Young Adult
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Jim Kjelgaard’s three-novel series about a teenage boy and a family of Irish Setters offers the adventures about which the typical junior high school boy might have dreamed in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Big Red—first published in 1945—kicked it all off.
The story follows teenager Danny and Red—a champion show dog whose wealthy owner wants Danny to turn him into a hunting dog. Danny and his father live a hand-to-mouth existence in a small cabin on the dog owner’s rural property along with a few varmint dogs and an old mule.
The book is all about hunting, fishing and trapping with an angry wolverine and a mad monster bear thrown in. Kjelgaard keeps the narrative lively with one adventure after another.
One might expect 21st century sensitivities to have dulled the book’s appeal. But apparently the market is still strong enough to have warranted Random House’s publication of a 75th anniversary edition in 2021.
Big Red may be dated, but there is something about a story of a boy and a dog that remains warm and friendly. Big Red may be one of the best.
Movie/TV Adaptation
Big Red (1962)
Sources For This Book
This book was purchased at BoneAnza Barn – Glen Rose, Texas
Free eBook (Project Gutenberg): Not available
Free Audiobook (LibriVox): Not available
Available for Purchase: AceBooks, Thriftbooks
