Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

I grew up on this movie, and it was always one of my favorites.  For some reason, I just never thought of it as a book, so I was pleasantly surprised to find it at a book store one day.  I bought it, brought it home and promptly read it to my children.  I was delighted with it, the movie followed it very closely. 

This book has everything in it that I love: farm life, animals, children and a mother who loves them dearly.

Fourteen year old Travis's father goes on a cattle drive that will take months, leaving his wife and two sons in a wild frontier settlement to make out the best they can.  As he leaves, he tells Travis: "Now, Travis, you are getting to be a big boy; and while I'm gone, you'll be the man of the family.  I want you to act like one.  You take care of Mama and Little Arliss.  You look after the work and don't wait around for your mama to point out what needs to be done.  Think you can do that?"
Travis responds that he can and will, and reminds his father that he's been wanting a horse.  When dad replies that what Travis needs is a good dog, Travis says "Yessir, but a horse is what I'm wanting worse."  So his father tells  him that if he acts the man's part, he will bring him home a man's horse.  They shake on it, and the father leaves.

Travis takes on the job of a man, caring for his mother and his brother Little Arliss, who is always getting into scrapes.  Soon, a big yellow dog shows up.  Travis tries to run him off, but Little Arliss claims him and his mother backs him up.  Travis is determined not to like the dog, who is soon known as Old Yeller, but the dog proves himself over and over, saving Little Arliss from a bear, saving Travis from an attack by wild pigs and nearly losing his own life in the process, and before long, he is a valuable member of the family.  But then, a rabies epidemic hits the land...

This is a great book.  It has everything, excitement, sweetness, sadness, love and heartache.  It's a book that doesn't hold back the realities of life.  It's characters are human and very likeable.  I've read it over and over, and love it just as much every time I read it.