Saving Shiloh [Hardcover]

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up

Marty Preston wonders why it is that despite Judd Traver's attempts to redeem himself everyone is still so willing to think the worst of him. Marty's friend David is sure that Judd will be named as the murderer of a man who has been missing. Others are sure that Judd is behind a series of burglaries in the area. But Marty's parents and, with some trepidation, Marty himself persist in their attempts to be good neighbors and to give Judd a second chance. Now that Marty has Shiloh, maybe he can help Judd to take better care of his other dogs. Then again, maybe folks are right -- there's no way a Judd Travers can ever change for the good. Then a terrifying life-or-death situation brings this dilemma into sharp focus. Saving Shiloh is a powerful novel that brings this trilogy to a close.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The finale to Naylor's Shiloh trilogy "retains the same flavorful style" of its predecessors, said PW, and favors a "high-action plot, involving dead bodies, runaway prisoners and life-and-death rescues." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-The sequel to the 1992 Newbery Medal-winning story of a boy and his dog.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689814607
• ISBN-13: 978-0689814600
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,596,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I guess I've been writing for about as long as I can remember. Telling stories, anyway, if not writing them down. I had my first short story published when I was sixteen, and wrote stories to help put myself through college, planning to become a clinical psychologist. By the time I graduated with a BA degree, however, I decided that writing was really my first love, so I gave up plans for graduate school and began writing full time.

I'm not happy unless I spend some time writing every day. It's as though pressure builds up inside me, and writing even a little helps to release it. On a hard-writing day, I write about six hours. Tending to other writing business, answering mail, and just thinking about a book takes another four hours. I spend from three months to a year on a children's book, depending on how well I know the characters before I begin and how much research I need to do. A novel for adults, because it's longer, takes a year or more. When my work is going well, I wake early in the mornings, hoping it's time to get up. When the writing is hard and the words are flat, I'm not very pleasant to be around.

Getting an idea for a book is the easy part. Keeping other ideas away while I'm working on one story is what's difficult. My books are based on things that have happened to me, things I have heard or read about, all mixed up with imaginings. The best part about writing is the moment a character comes alive on paper, or when a place that existed only in my head becomes real. There are no bands playing at this moment, no audience applauding--a very solitary time, actually--but it's what I like most. I've now had more than 120 books published, and about 2000 short stories, articles and poems.

I live in Bethesda, Maryland, with my husband, Rex, a speech pathologist, who's the first person to read my manuscripts when they're finished. Our sons, Jeff and Michael, are grown now, but along with their wives and children, we often enjoy vacations together in the mountains or at the ocean. When I'm not writing, I like to hike, swim, play the piano and attend the theater.

I'm lucky to have my family, because they have contributed a great deal to my books. But I'm also lucky to have the troop of noisy, chattering characters who travel with me inside my head. As long as they are poking, prodding, demanding a place in a book, I have things to do and stories to tell.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The End, June 16, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Saving Shiloh (Paperback)

This is a breath-taking conclusion! Everyone at Marty's school is saying bad things about Judd Travers after a series of theft and house break-in's. They're even blaming him for murder! When Marty's sister Dara-Lynn naerly falls into a river, Marty is too focused on her to see Shiloh rushing down the river. Judd sees it all. Will Judd help the poor Beagle? Or let him drown as punishment for running away from him? Read the book and see for yourself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CONTINUUM OF LOVE -- A CHRISTIAN STORY, August 17, 2000

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Saving Shiloh (Hardcover)

The Shiloh trilogy is, without doubt, the best dog stories in creation. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor draws very real, believable characters that one can readily recognize and relate to. Her protagonist, Marty, exemplifies true Christian values when he is able to forgive Judd Travers. Villianizing Judd and making him a ready scapegoat would have been easy. It is to this author's credit that she protrays Judd as a tragic figure who has fallen on hard times and who has let the shadows of his past dictate the decisions he has made in his life. Making a hero out of Marty would have been too easy. Instead, the author shows a realistic, lovable boy who takes on major responsibilities. Marty grapples with the twin challenges of hatred for Judd and wanting to do the right thing, which is to help the man when he clearly needs it. He acknowledges these feelings and works hard to overcome them as he does now own Judd's hound, Shiloh. The beautiful little hound has a near-miss with death and Judd Travers saves his life. It is in the bond, this common love for the beagle that Marty is able to forgive Judd his cruelties and lesser foibles and Judd can start making peace with his life. There is nothing pat or simplistic about this story -- it will resonate in one's heart and conscious long after the last page is turned. It is a continuum of love -- Marty's love for his family and Shiloh, his acceptance and forgiveness of Judd Travers and Shiloh's unconditional love for the men who saved his life. It is a joyous moment in literature to see Marty own the delightful little beagle once and for all.

Please read the "Shiloh" trilogy. You'll be very glad you did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saving Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, February 27, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Saving Shiloh (Paperback)

Great animal fiction about man's best friend

In Shiloh, West Virginia, a boy named Marty and a man named Judd became connected by a dog named Shiloh. Marty was worried about when Judd gets his dogs back he will turn them mean again. Marty is trying to find ways for Judd to be nice and take better care of his dogs. Marty tries to find was to help Judd. Marty finds out that Judd came from a family that abused him. In Judd's mind abusing is showing you care.

Marty also finds out that if you are nice to a chained dog he will learn to be nice. Marty believed Judd was like a chained dog. He believed if he showed Judd he cares Judd will to change. By changing Judd will help his dogs. However, Judd would not open his doors until Marty bring over Shiloh.

I really liked the book "Saving Shiloh" because it talks about how a dog can change people. This book also teaches a lesson if someone is being mean to you can change them by being nice. I really loved this book. It is a must read! It is great book for kids, who are 9 years old or older. Don't pass it up, read this fabulous book.