I recently read Old Yeller for my last outside reading assignment. The book was written by Fred Gipson, and has long been known as one of the great books of children's literature.

The book basically tells the story of a family with two young boys whose father is away on a cattle drive. The eldest boy, Travis, is told to protect the family when the father leaves, and he takes this duty to heart. While the father is away, a dog shows up on their doorstep. Travis initially tries to chase the dog away (because he fears he will steal their meat), but the younger boy, Arliss, falls in love with the dog immediately. The boys' mother decides to allow them to keep the dog, and he becomes one of the family.

Eventually, the dog's rightful owner shows up and wants the dog back. However, the family convinces him to trade the dog for a nice meal and Arliss' pet toad. The family gets so used to the dog and loves him as a family member, that it is pure tragedy when Travis is forced to put him down. Yeller gets rabies while saving the family from a wolf, and Travis takes him out back to shoot him.

This is known as one of the greatest children's tragedies written in the 20th century. People are known to be of the utmost cold heartedness if they do not cry at the end of Old Yeller.

I feel very privileged to be able to say that my mother knew Fred Gipson personally and that this story has a very deep place in my heart.