Reading Old Yeller falls in line with a goal of mine which is to read the old classics that I had somehow missed. I've found some real gems like The Old Man and the Sea and Fahrenheit 451.
A short quick read at 198 pages, Old Yeller is a solid boy and his dog story. What differentiates it from the other boy/dog stories is Gipson's knack for language that gives it a certain authenticity to its era, while at the same time providing insight into the tough life of families on the frontier from the view of a youth transitioning to manhood. The novel shows how a young teenager would have to be competent at many roles, hunter, farmer, carpenter, among others to ensure his family's survival.
The book also gave me some insight into the resiliency of life on the frontier. For example, I'm currently recovering from the flu. To get better, I had the fortune to visit a doctor six blocks away and pick up a prescription two blocks away.
Living on the frontier, a mother had to know how to draw out a fever and which plants could be turned into a poultice that could suck out an infection, and while taking care of sick or injured children or husband, she'd have to take over the men's chores until they or he got better, otherwise it wouldn't get done.
I recommend Old Yeller for any age as a short quick and interesting read.
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