The Yearling is a heartfelt, suspenseful, and authentic tale about a boy torn between his affection for his pet and his duties to his family. The novel chronicles a year in the life of this lively and sensitive boy—a year brimming with adventure, danger, loss, and solitude. His encounters with sorrow, bitterness, and bravery reflect the challenges of growing up in a harsh environment.

The Yearling's portrayal of a boy's journey to adulthood may seem stereotypical. At the beginning of the book, Jody is carefree and in harmony with nature, believing that owning a pet will bring him complete happiness. By the story's conclusion, he has come to see life as difficult and lonely, has been thrust into the brutal world of hunting, and has been compelled, for the sake of survival and maturity, to betray and destroy what he loves most. The novel seems to suggest that a boy must kill to become a man, and that a man's actions should be driven by survival rather than love.

Readers should be mindful of the instances of racial prejudice depicted in The Yearling. When viewed as accurate representations of the social attitudes of the time and place, these troubling images can enhance our understanding of the characters' behaviors and emotions.