Shiloh

Name: Shiloh
ISBN: 9781416936848

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Marty Preston finds an abused beagle he names Shiloh and is determined to save him. He must navigate a web of lies and moral dilemmas, defying community norms and confronting a brutal adult to protect

About This Book

Shiloh is a Newbery Medal-winning novel about Marty Preston, an 11-year-old boy living in rural West Virginia, who discovers an abused beagle. Driven by deep empathy, Marty hides the dog, Shiloh, from his family and its cruel owner, Judd Travers, leading him into a complex moral quandary. The book explores themes of ethics, honesty, animal welfare, and the challenging gray areas between right and wrong. It's a powerful story of a boy's perseverance and moral growth, suitable for elementary and middle school readers. Parents should be aware of the themes of animal abuse and the protagonist's lying, which are handled thoughtfully and serve to explore ethical dilemmas.

Concepts

Empathy & Kindness Justice & Fairness Honesty & Integrity Self-Confidence & Identity Resilience & Perseverance Fear & Bravery Love & Family Friendship & Loyalty Good vs. Evil Anxiety & Worry Forgiveness & Redemption Curiosity & Wonder Growing Up Making Friends Being Different Peer Pressure Sibling Rivalry Dogs Family & Siblings

Heads up, parents

animal_harm

peril_danger

mature_language

mental_health_themes

Discussion Prompts

Marty tells lies to protect Shiloh. Do you think it's ever okay to lie to do something good? Why or why not?

Judd Travers was abused as a child. How does knowing this change how you feel about him and his actions?

Marty's parents believe that because Judd owns Shiloh, he can treat him however he wants. Marty disagrees. What do you think about animal ownership and responsibility?

What does Marty learn about right and wrong throughout the story? How does his understanding of morality change?

If you were Marty, what would you have done differently, if anything, to save Shiloh?

External Reviews