Where the Red Fern Grows Lesson Plan

Do you believe Little Ann would win the best-looking hound competition? Why or why not? If not, why did the author have her win?

Little Ann is often described as barely looking or acting like a hound. She is so little some people can't believe she's a hound. As such, do students think it's realistic that she would win best looking hound? Especially given that she was groomed with butter by a boy who had never groomed a dog before? Why do students think the author had her win if it wasn't realistic? The tone of the book gives a hint at the answer. It's hard to be nostalgic for times when you've lost something; it's more fun to reminisce over the good times than the bad.