Shiloh

Title: Shiloh

Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Publisher: Atheneum 

Date: 1991

Number of pages: 144 Pages

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Genre:  Children's Fiction

Summary: The story takes place in the small town of Friendly, West Virginia, where an eleven year old boy named Marty Preston finds a stray beagle wandering in the hills near his house. The dog follows him home and Marty names him Shiloh. Shiloh's real owner is Judd Travers, who has several dogs that he uses for hunting. Marty does not want to return Shiloh. He fears for the dog's safety because Judd drinks and treats his hunting dogs poorly. Marty's father insists Shiloh be returned to his owner and they take him back to Judd Travers House. Shiloh returns and Marty hides him from his family. Shiloh gets attacked by a German Shepherd while in his make-shift cage and his family discovers Marty has been lying and hiding the dog. After taking the dog to the town doctor, the family must return Shiloh to his rightful owner. Before doing so, Marty travels up to Traver's house to try to convince Mr. Traver to allow him to keep Shiloh. Marty lets Judd know he knows, and attempts to blackmail him out of Shiloh. Judd and Marty eventually negotiate a deal where Marty will earn Shiloh if he works for Judd for a month. Near the end of the period of the story, Judd says that he will not keep his end of the deal, as all the evidence of the doe are gone by now, and the contract that Marty had him sign is worthless in the state of West Virginia without the signature of a witness. Marty continues to work for Judd however. In the end, Judd warms to Marty, relents, and lets him have the dog.

My reaction: "Shiloh" is a beautifully and masterfully written in every way. It is written in the first person, from Marty's point of view. The narrative is written in a rural West Virginia dialect that sounds totally natural and unaffected. It seemed almost possible for me to hear Marty speak as I read along. The book's plot is absolutely superb - tightly woven, dramatic, and realistic. Each of the characters come to life with complete believability. All of the situations presented in the narrative are easy to understand and appropriate for young readers. 

Potential problems: I do not see any potential problems with this book.

My recommendation: I remember reading Shiloh in a 5th grade in a literature circle. It was a very effective to teach morals against animal abuse, and standing up for what's right. I believe all children ages 9 and up should read it. Even as a 21 year old, the standards and morals explored in the book were even more evident, and I would also invite readers who remember this book from their childhood to reread. It's pleasant, appropriate and wonderful!