349 reviews for:

Old Yeller

Fred Gipson

3.75 AVERAGE


Better than the movie. But Gwen has nightmares about rabies - she won't let us say the word - we have to call it hydrophobia b/c she says that is less scary. Doesn't help that Jared insists he was bit by a rabid dog on his mission - what a dork.

had to read this like eight years ago for school and only reread it to help the kid I’m babysitting do his summer work and it’s only SLIGHTLY less boring and sad than I remember
adventurous emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
challenging emotional sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Glad I finally got to this classic! I enjoyed this little tale a lot. It's a cute but very sad little tale of a boy and his dog. I would definitely recommend everyone add this little book to their classics list :)
adventurous emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Pros
·this is a sweet, short book with a satisfying arc. I, like Travis, grew fond of Old Yeller, and I liked the way the author built up the story 
·There are also some funny moments, mainly related to Little Arliss 
·Travis learns some big lessons about growing up that might really resonate with the target audience 
 
Cons: 
· I think the book is a little outdated. The old west aspect of it, the way they live their lives, the toxic masculinity that was absolutely just the way things used to be 
·The descriptions of all the farming/animal stuff could get a little boring 
 
Recommendation: I recommend if you’re curious about the old classic or if you’re a tween boy who loves dogs and wishes you could live off the land. This was quick and enjoyable, and while I don’t necessarily feel that it was timeless, there’s a nice loss of innocence theme here that certainly still holds up. Avoid if you want something suspenseful, modern, or complex! 

Great historical fiction/coming-of-age/frontier tale/animal story. If only it weren't so depressing. . . .

fred woke up and chose violence