Books like Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls reads as emotional, bittersweet. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Kate DiCamillo

Both explore family & grief

78% genome match

My Side of the Mountain

Jean Craighead George

Same classic feel

60% genome match

Bridge to Terabithia

Katherine Paterson

Both explore grief

77% genome match

The Boxcar Children

Gertrude Chandler Warner

Both explore family

57% genome match

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Elizabeth George Speare

Same classic feel

56% genome match

Tuck Everlasting

Natalie Babbitt

Both explore family & love

71% genome match

The evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Jacqueline Kelly · 2009

Both explore family

58% genome match

Sounder

William Howard Armstrong · 1971

Both explore family

67% genome match

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Betty Smith · 1943

Both explore family

67% genome match

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Mildred D. Taylor

Both explore family

67% genome match

Heidi

Johanna Spyri

Both explore family

67% genome match

The little shepherd of Kingdom Come

John Fox Jr. · 1903

Same classic feel

57% genome match