Reading Response #5
Old Yeller By Fred Gipson
I think that Old Yeller is a good book. There are many carefully described details and thoughtful characters. This book is about a 14-year old boy named Travis who becomes the "man" of his family. While his father is gone, Travis becomes friends with an old, yellow dog who shows up at their cabin. He doesn't like this dog at all until something bad happens to his brother, Arliss and Old Yeller comes to the rescue. This book is filled with friendship, happiness, excitement, and sadness, which reminds me of the movie Shiloh.
Old Yeller takes place in the Texas hills during the 1860's. The setting is very important because it shows how hard it was to manage living. For example, they didn't have soap back then. They would have to mix lye water with hog fat and boil it. The setting also explains that they lived in the country area and had to prepare very hard each year for the comings of winter. This is one reason why they needed a dog to help. Luckily, Old Yeller joined the family and helped along!
If I could meet the author, Fred Gipson, I would ask him many questions. Was he the first author to write about a boy and a dog's friendship? Did many people copy his idea because they liked his book? Or did he get his plot idea from another author? Also, I would ask him if this story is true. While reading Old Yeller, I felt as if it really happened because of the wonderful details. I think it would be quite amazing if this plot weren't a true story because I felt that Old Yeller is very realistic and I felt very close to the characters. They have unique personalities.
Old Yeller reminds me of life in the world. Like the world, this book has sadness, joy, happiness, problems, and pain. In the world there are a lot pain, like when Old Yeller repeatedly gets hit by a rock. I think this is one of the reasons why this book is so interesting to read.
Old Yeller is a great book. I think that it was a good idea for this book to get a Newbury Honor. I recommend Old Yeller to everyone who likes A Day No Pigs Would Die by R. Peck. Both books are about an animal that becomes an important part of the main character's lives.
Author Fred Gipson perfectly captures the time period of Texas in the late 1800's and the challenges of daily life. Into the mix of chores and adventures on the farm is the universal bond of a boy and his dog. Travis and Old Yeller are two characters that any child will immediately connect with and grow to love. And naturally as many novels geared towards younger readers, the conclusion will remain with them long after the novel has been read.
On a side note I must also recommend the classic Walt Disney version of OLD YELLER (VHS or DVD). Young readers will enjoy the similarities and differences between novel and movie. It's an excellent example to build discussion or writing lessons involving comparisons or contrasts.
And while I have continually mentioned young readers I should also comment that OLD YELLER is a must-read for people of any age group. So the next time you need to be entertained by a great novel, pick up this classic.
List price: $15.95 (that's 30% off!)
I loved this story since a child after watching the movie on The Wonderful World of Disney and I wanted to read and share the experience with my 6 year old daughter.
You will find yourself wanting to find out what will happen next as the three companions travel through hostile terrain to find their loving family hundreds of miles away.
The word choices are often hard to understand as an adult and my daughter would often ask "what does that mean"? Also she had a hard time keeping straight which dog was which but she did enjoy the book very much.
The last chapter is the best and I almost cried when two of the animals found their owners and then again when the old dog was reunited with his owner after everyone thought he did not survive The Incredible Journey.
I would like to know if this was any way based on a true story. You will enjoy this book very much but it is not a casual read.
The old English bull terrier was very weak, hungry and tired. Then on the way he fell and wouldn't get up. The wheat-colored Siamese and Labrador tried to get him up but he wouldn't move. When' a bear cub attacked him the Siamese and Labrador attacked the cub. After a few days he got up and moved on. Later the cat fell down a waterfall but is okay that was a sad part. I liked it when the Labrador tried to save the Siamese because he cared about him. When he left a girl who found him he was okay. The cat's fur was as silky as a silk blanket. Another sad part is when the Labrador goes after a porcine and has needles in the side of his face. A great part is when the animals get back together and rejoin.