Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet bond forms between boy and beagle in thrilling story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 26 kid reviews
Kids say that this book offers important lessons about kindness towards animals, with many praising its emotional depth and the character of Marty who stands up for an abused dog. However, some find it boring or overly complicated, noting that it contains mature themes such as violence and substance use which make it more suitable for older children.
- important lessons
- emotional depth
- mature themes
- character development
- mixed opinions
- suitable for older kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
SHILOH tells the story of tenderhearted Marty and his devotion to an abused dog. One day, Marty comes upon a lost beagle, which follows the boy at a distance. Marty quickly notices that the dog is fearful and very thin. Marty's dad helps his son return the dog to its owner, Judd Travers, whom Marty knows to be dishonest and mean. Marty observes that Judd kicks his dogs, and the boy becomes increasingly desperate to protect Shiloh from abuse. Meanwhile, the dog runs away from Judd whenever he gets the chance, and he keeps trying to get back to Marty. The boy eventually decides to conceal the dog in the woods near his family's home, and he makes up implausible excuses to squirrel away half of his own food for Shiloh. As Marty's lies (and his hunger) grow, more and more people find out his secret, and before long Shiloh is in even more danger than he was before.
Is It Any Good?
This timeless, heartwarming novel is also a thought-provoking page-turner. Does Shiloh have a right to be treated kindly? Is it OK for Marty to lie to protect Shiloh? What will happen to him and to Shiloh if his lies are revealed? Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's story will move animal lovers from middle grades to middle school, and it's a great point of departure for families and classrooms to discuss the moral dilemmas that Marty faces.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Marty's dishonesty in Shiloh. Is Marty wrong to lie to his family in order to protect the dog?
Judd Travers owns Shiloh. Does this give Judd the right to do whatever he wants to his dog?
Have you seen any movies based on Shiloh? One was made a few years after the book was published (1999), and another in 2006. Which did you like better, the book or a movie? How are the movies different from the book?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Animals
- Topics : Animals
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster
- Publication date : January 1, 1991
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 13
- Number of pages : 144
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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