Big Red

by Jim Kjelgaard

Book Overview

A devoted, courageous dog always stands by the boy who loves him in this genuine classic, in print for 75 years. "A timeless, not-to-be-missed classic." --Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award winning... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553151940
• ISBN13: 9780553151947
• Release Date: October 1982
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 218 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Big Red

I love the book , but the quality you sent me was worse than poor, it was the bottom of the barrel quality

adventures of a young man and his dog

Jim Kjelgaard is a really great writer of dog stories set in the outdoors. "Big Red" is the first of three Irish Setter books. If you like "Big Red" the second book is "Irish Red" and the third one is "Outlaw Red". Danny lives with his father in a shack back in the mountains. They run a trap line and harvest wild honey for money. They are squatters on the land of a rich man, Mr. Haggin. Danny's mother died a long time ago. Danny and his father make a little money on the side by doing work for Mr. Haggin. Mr. Haggin has a beautiful Irish Setter he calls Boy. When Danny sees him, it's love at first sight. But when Danny asks Mr. Haggin how much a dog like Boy would cost, Mr. Haggin says he paid $7000 for him. Danny knows a trapper could never afford a dog like that. Mr. Haggin takes an interest in Danny. It is clear that Danny is different from his father, he has some kind of quality he inherited from his mother, tempered by the ruggedness and independence he learned from living in the wilderness. Mr. Haggin gives Danny a job taking care of Boy, who Danny calls Red. Like Danny, Red shows special quality. But he has never done for himself. He's a show dog. Mr. Haggin sends Danny to New York with Red when he's in a dog show. Then when they go back to Mr. Haggin's ranch, Danny is allowed to take Red out in the wilderness. Red learns from Danny how to be a brave and rugged dog. Red and Mr. Haggin give Danny a chance to move into the civilized world, and Danny gives Red a chance to reach his potential as a real dog in the outdoor world. An earlier reviewer made a great point that applies to all of Mr. Kjelgaard's books I have read: the dog doesn't have to be killed in his books. Most great dog stories are very sad. Examples would be "Sounder", "Where the Red Fern Grows", and "Old Yeller". I don't really like to watch most dog movies, because the dog always dies. The worst that happens to the dogs in Mr. Kjelgaard's books is a broken leg, or a bad wound that heals. No kleenex needed, no broken hearts here.

Lucas Mays' opinion

The book "Big Red" is a book that tells of a boy that loves his dog. This book is a perfect example of mans best friend. Danny and Red have alot of exciting adventures. The author of the book is Jim Kjelgaard. He is also the author of "Irish Red", and "Outlaw Red." The main points of this book are very obvious I think. The main points are to trust your friends when times get rough. Also to believe in yourself. Alot of people don't think that they can do alot of things but they realy can. You need to give people a second chance because we all do things we don't mean. To me this book is a real confidence builder. This book is realy somthing special if you ask me. So if you love stories about dogs or just like adventure books "Big Red" is for you. I rated this book good for one reason only, and that is because it's a good book.

A Really Great Book

This was one of the best books I ever read. This book is about a 17 year old boy named Danny Pickett. He lives with his dad near a mountain. They each have been trappers all their lives and are pretty poor. The land that they live on is owned by a very rich man named Mr. Haggin. He has a very, very smart dog named Red because he has long red hair. He is a show dog and it is a dog like Danny has always wanted. One day Mr. Haggin asks Danny if he wants to go to one of Red's dog shows in New York and care for Red from then on. Danny's dreams have come true. Danny makes Red a hunting dog and they have lots of adventures together.

All Time Favorite!

This is one of my all time favorite books. I read it 20 years ago and have just purchased it to read to my daughter. Good for both boys and girls, a very nice adventure story. Got me hooked on all the books by this author, all of which are worth a read.

a book about a dog aboy and an unforgetable friendship

this is an all time great book if you love heartwarming tales about dogs and thier owners I thik that every dog lover should have this book.(even if you dont like reading)