Customer Reviews

Shiloh (Yearling Newbery)

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4 star:		(81)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

What a wonderful book! I read it after my 11-year old son suggested it as a change from my usual reading fare of history and biography. It turned out to be much more than just a summertime reading diversion...it became for me a deeply moving reading experience in its own right. I was quickly captivated by Marty and his family, Shiloh, the beagle, and yes, even the despicable Judd Travers.

The story is straightforward: Marty Preston is an eleven-year old boy living with his parents and two younger sisters in rural West Virginia. It is a close-knit, loving family with traditional values and a clearly defined set of rules to live by. His father is a mail carrier and his mother a homemaker.

One Sunday afternoon, as Marty is walking along a backwoods road, he spies a young beagle hiding under a bush. He calls to it, but the dog doesn't respond. When Marty walks away, the dog follows him. Marty tries to get the dog to come to him several times, but the animal, which has obviously been abused, cowers miserably. Finally, the dog happily comes to Marty when the boy whistles at him. Marty immediately falls in love with the dog, whom he names Shiloh. The little beagle responds with trust and affection. The boy quickly figures out that Shiloh belongs to Judd Travers, a local ne'er-do-well, and a man with an unsavory reputation for dishonesty, a hot temper, and animal abuse. Marty wants to keep Shiloh, to protect him from Judd. However, his parents insist he return the dog to its rightful owner, which Marty begrudgingly does.

Shiloh runs away from Judd a second time and finds his way back to Marty's house. This time, Marty vows to keep him. He hides the dog, sneaks food out of the house to feed him, and begins to lie to friends and family when questioned about Shiloh's whereabouts. A tragic accident causes Marty's secret to be found out by his parents. He is forced once again to return Shiloh to his master. Marty, desperate to keep Shiloh, offers to do almost anything to get Judd to give him the dog.

I won't give away the ending of the book; suffice it to say, it is a dramatic and compassionate ending, sure to move anyone who reads this book.

"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.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor proves why she is such a gifted writer of children's books, mainly because she so brilliantly fires the reader's imagination and teaches positive values. In the story, she presents Marty with an ethical dilemma which, at one time or another, all children face. Marty's predicament is this: whether to do what is right in the eyes of a higher authority (his parents) when it is a reasonable certainty that the action will result in a great wrong being done by someone else; or to do what his heart says is right, even though that action is wrong in the eyes of the higher authority (his parents). Marty's dilemma is compounded his conscience, which speaks loudly and often to him, demanding from him both honesty and a sense of fair play. How Marty responds to these challenges is the great lesson taught by this book.

"Shiloh" is a winner of the Newbery Medal and a classic of children's literature. I heartily recommend it to kids of all ages...from 9 to 99.

Shiloh is a wonderful example of realistic fiction for children. The story revolves around Marty, a small town boy in the hills of West Virginia. There isn't much money, and putting food on the table is difficult and all consuming for the adults of his community.

Marty spends his free time roaming the hills with his rifle, until he discovers Shiloh, a dog, whom he learns lives with constant abuse by his owner. Marty determines to rescue Shiloh and care for the dog he immediately becomes attached to. He finds, however, that simply wanting something, is not a determinant of taking possession: he is stunned that the abusive owner has rights, which is confusing and heartbreaking for him.

Throughout the story, Marty is confronted by moral issues which he must wrestle with as he focuses his attention on loving Shiloh and finding a way to make life better for the dog. In doing so, his values are questioned and his morality is strengthened. He must learn to solve moral dilemmas by analyzing the choices he has. He realizes that adults don't always do the right thing, nor do they always have the answers to questions. Most, important, he learns to recognize that he has the ability, within himself, to realize the resolve it takes to do the right thing in the face of adversity.

Young readers will experience these dilemmas with Marty, and the story provides youngsters with the opportunity to develop their own moral skills along with him.

To keep Shiloh, a white beagle with brown and black spots, Marty Preston has to do more than keep a water dish filled and train his dog not to go the bathroom indoors. He has to build a special pen, buy food with his own allowance, and even do some odd jobs for extra money. Also, as Shiloh is really someone else's dog, Marty has to lie and keep secrets from his parents and friends. He excuses his actions with the fact that Shiloh is better off with him than with the abusive original owner--which is, I know, justification enough for most readers. The novel is not that simplistic, though: Marty eventually realizes that he will have to come clean, even if it will mean losing his dog.

The characters in "Shiloh" are well-drawn and realistic. It was nice to read about complex people who love animals, grow up with guns and occasionally hunt for their own food. Their West Virginian dialect is a pleasure to read. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's observations, through Marty's eyes, really seem like an eleven-year-old boy's, not a grown woman writer's. Moreover, her pace, like her integrity as a storyteller, never lags.

This is a great book for teaching children not just about dogs and other pets, but about right and wrong. Nothing is purely white or purely black in this novel, not even the "villian," Judd Travers. There is a powerful scene near the climax when Marty starts asking himself questions about what is ethical and what is not--about whether or not the ends justify the means. All the scenes that follow show how a young boy, through his love for his dog, learns life lessons about maturity, responsibility and respect.

Despite all this complexity, the lessons of "Shiloh", like its theme, are very simple. They are the universal values that all children pick up for themselves whenever they truly experience life.

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds, Shiloh, New York, New York: Aladdin Paperbacks Publishing, 2000. 137 pages.

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Why do people abuse their animal(s)?" I mean it is just plain wrong. In the book Shiloh there isn't really a main setting in the book because they go all around their town. The main characters are Marty who is a boy, then there is Shiloh who is the dog which is surprisingly the main character but also the title of the book. My favorite part of the book was when Judd got in a truck accident because of drinking to much beer. That night Shiloh snuck out of the house because he had a weird feeling and when Shiloh was looking off the bridge he saw someone which was Judd Travers who was the original owner of Shiloh and still was but Judd was abusing Shiloh, so Shiloh ran away. Well, I don't want to ruin the story but Shiloh started barking like crazy when he found Judd on the side off the bridge. Marty woke up at the loud barking and noticed that Shiloh wasn't there. If it wasn't for Shiloh, Judd would've been dead. I don't really think that you can really judge a book by its cover. If you love animals then you will really love this book. It is really sad because Judd abuses his animals so bad, and it makes me get all teary. This book is the best book I have ever read. I have read this book more then 5 times. I really love to read animal books. I really wouldn't change anything about this book. I would rate this book out of 1-5, with four being that I couldn't put this book down, it was so good and one being that it was hard to stay awake, and I struggled to finish it, I would rate this book a five and beyond.

Over the course of 4 nights as I real aloud to my son we took every advantage of this wonderful story to talk about courage, friendship, honesty, and responsibility.

The main character, Marty is a wonderful character for children to experience because he has fears, concerns, and has trouble with a problem that is larger than he could every imagine, but he proves himself worthy in the end.

"Shiloh," the novel by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, received the 1992 Newbery Medal "for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." While the book is certainly ideal for younger readers, don't be misled by either the award or the publisher's marketing approach: this moving, well-written book is good for adults, too.

"Shiloh" takes place in rural West Virginia. It tells the story of Marty, an 11-year old boy who seeks to shelter an abused beagle from his hard-hearted owner. Reynolds lets Marty tell his story in the first person, and her excellent prose captures the rhythms of rural West Virginia speech (and I say this because I spend a lot of time there with my extended family). Reynolds had me hooked with her opening sentence: "The day Shiloh come, we're having us a big Sunday dinner." Reynold's skill at rendering American vernacular speech evokes, in my mind, favorable comparisons to such authors as Zora Neale Hurston and Alice Walker.

"Shiloh" is rich with the details of life in that region: the food, the hunting, and social customs. Reynolds creates a wonderful portrait of a poor but loving family. But the heart of the book is the way she captures the special bond between a boy and his dog.

"Shiloh" is an "issue" book in the sense that it deals with animal cruelty, but Reynolds wisely tells a realistic story without overtly preaching at the reader. But the book still raises very relevant issues. Marty's moral dilemma is not presented as an easy "black-and-white" situation. Shiloh's owner, Judd, is not a cardboard villain. Marty's ethical and theological inner struggle is comparable to that of the title character in Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Like Huck, Marty is a compelling hero: courageous, loyal, and thoughtful.

In short, "Shiloh" is a contemporary classic, a book with true moral and psychological resonance. Naylor's portrayal of the enduring ties between a child and a beloved animal is comparable to such enduring works as John Steinbeck's "The Red Pony." This moving book deserves a wide audience.

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a very good children's novel. "Boy and their dog stories" have been kind of a staple in children's literature since Ouida's A Dog of Flanders, and this is one of the better examples. This book is narrated by Marty, and eleven-year-old from a very poor West Virginia family. He happens upon a dog one day who has noticably been abused. Marty falls for the dog, but he doesn't want to return it to its owner. Ethical questions are raised as to whether he should return the dog or keep it (steal) and lie to his parents. This novel presents a good and well-written story. It also raises some thought provoking questions and teaches some marvelous lessons. My favorite aspect of the novel was the way in which the family was written about. The setting and speech are captured exactly. The situation of a dirt-poor family that loves each other and is working to better itself is presented brilliantly. Children should read Shiloh.

This is a fiction animal story by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.
The protagonist is a poor boy named Marty Preston. Other characters are Shiloh and Judd Travers. Shiloh is a dog who helps Marty learn perservance. Judd is Shiloh's owner who tests Marty's word and devotion for Shiloh.
The theme is when you love someone or something you are willing to do anything. In this book Marty loves Shiloh so much, he hides him, lies to his family, steals food and works to earn him.
The plot begins when Marty finds a beagle dog in the hills and names him Shiloh. Shiloh belongs to Judd, a drunk who beats his dogs. Marty's dad makes him return Shiloh to Judd. Shiloh runs back to Marty. Marty hides Shiloh, but his parents find out when Shiloh gets attacked by another dog. While Shiloh is healing, Judd tells Marty he will sell Shiloh for $40.00, and he can work over at his place. Marty agrees and starts work, but Judd says he can't have Shiloh. Marty is surprised but continues to work. He returns the next couple of days although Judd tries to make him quit by making his work harder. Marty keeps working because he knows Shiloh needs him. On the last day of work, Judd gives Marty a collar for his new dog.
I really liked this book because it made me feel sad, happy, frustrated, relieved, scared, angry, hopeful and triumphant! My favorite part was when Marty's mom snuck up on him and saw Shiloh. It was shock because I wasn't expecting his mom to follow him and when he turned around she was right there. I felt relieved because Marty didn't have to keep secrets anymore.
My overall opinion is that it was an excellent book about a boy and his dog. I recommend this book to dog lovers and non dog lovers alike. I will be reading the next two books in this series.

A review by Austin 9yrs old.

SHILOH

By: Rigo


There was a pour family and they had to find food to eat. They did not have enough money to buy food, clothes, or pets. One day, a kid name Marty went to go hunt food and he sees a dog whimpering. So he took him home and did not tell his parents because he knew that his parents will say that they can not keep the dog. He wondered what happened to the dog because the dog wood always limp. Marty called the dog Shiloh. Then Marty thought that maybe his oner treated him bad.


One day a guy named Juged Travers said to give him his dog back. He told his parents and they said it was fine. Then they made a bet for the dog. Marty got him and had to work to get money for the dog. They went good.

If you like dogs you will like this book that why I read it.

The book I just read was Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Set in West Virginia. This story tells a tale of friendship. Marty is a character who is helpful to others, especially to a dog named Shiloh. Shiloh is known to be hopeful. Marty wants Shiloh but there is someone holding him back.
This book is a must read! The book brings your hopes up so much that they will want to keep turning the pages to see if he gets Shiloh. Shiloh and Marty go on adventures together together to form a great relationship. The reader becomes emotionally connected to the dog. The connection would be so great that it would change your mind about getting a beagle. Beagles like Shiloh can fill your heart with warmth at first sight.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a great author with great respect. Phyllis got into writing about Shiloh because she saw a beagle on the side of the road abused. She wrote first book when she was five. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor was so into writing that she quit graduate school to start writing full time. This book was so great that I think anyone would like Shiloh even if they don't like dogs.