Crossword Puzzle Pack for Use with Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

These Where the Red Fern Grows crossword puzzles check vocabulary and story details from Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, written for Grades 5-8. It is a no-prep 48-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
• Grades: 5th–8th
• Resource type: Crossword puzzles
• Format: 48-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 1 Week
• Standards: L.5.4, L.6.4, L.7.4, L.8.4, RL.5.1, RL.5.4, RL.6.1, RL.6.4 and more
• Price: $3.00

Help your students think deeply about Where the Red Fern Grows with this no-prep crossword puzzle pack. Each puzzle pushes beyond simple recall, asking students to unlock clues about characters, plot events, vocabulary-in-context, and the novel’s big themes—all while strengthening the close-reading skills you’re already building in class.

If you’re looking for a way to check comprehension without piles of grading, this is it. Print a unit puzzle, and you’ve got an instant formative assessment, a ready-made review game, or a quiet activity that still demands serious thinking.

What’s Included:

• 12 challenging crossword puzzles — 10 unit puzzles aligned to the chapter groupings (I–II, III–IV, V–VI, VII–VIII, IX–X, XII–XIII, XIV–XV, XVI, XVII–XVIII, XIX–XX) plus 2 cumulative whole-book review puzzles
• 150 original clues (15 per puzzle) with a mix of clue types: straightforward definition clues, character-identity clues, plot-event and cause-effect clues, vocabulary-in-context clues, and inference clues that echo the novel’s reverent, emotionally rich tone
• Complete teacher answer keys for every puzzle — no prep, no guesswork
• Beautifully illustrated pages with thematic artwork (red ferns, coonhounds, mountain lions, and Ozark scenes) in both full-color and black-and-white versions to save ink
• Approximately 48 pages total, including an at-a-glance teacher notes page

Use these crosswords as bell-ringers, reading checkpoints, small-group review, early-finisher challenges, sub plans, or end-of-unit assessments. They’re flexible enough for whole-class work, literacy stations, or independent homework.

Because the clues require students to recall, infer, and connect, they get much more than a vocabulary activity—they practice citing textual evidence and determining word meaning right from the novel.

The pack aligns with Common Core standards RL.5-8.1 (cite textual evidence), RL.5-8.4 (determine meaning of words and phrases in the text), L.5-8.4 (determine or clarify word meaning), and L.5-8.6 (acquire and use grade-appropriate vocabulary).

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and give your students a crossword challenge that brings the world of Billy, Old Dan, and Little Ann to life!

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the author or publisher. All references to characters, settings, and events are used for educational purposes only to support reading comprehension and classroom instruction. This resource does not include the original text. Students must have their own copy of the book to complete the activities. All content in this resource is original and created by the seller.

Fonts Used:
Roboto by Christian Robertson | Open Sans by Steve Matteson | Playfair Display by Claus Eggers Sørensen | Lexend by Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup & Thomas Jockin | Poppins by Jonny Pinhorn | Montserrat by Julieta Ulanovsky
(All fonts are available via Google Fonts and licensed for commercial use under the SIL Open Font License.)

More Where the Red Fern Grows resources

All Where the Red Fern Grows activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 5-8 (TpT lists 5th-8th).

How long is it?

It is a 48-page printable PDF. Suggested teaching time: 1 Week.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Answer keys are included.

Do students need their own copy of Where the Red Fern Grows?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, so students need their own copy.

How do I get this resource?

It is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers ($3.00) as a PDF download. Use the Buy on TpT button on this page.