Shiloh
Shiloh is a children's novel written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor in 1991. It received the Newbery Medal award in 1992 and has two sequels: Shiloh Season and Saving Shiloh. All three books have been adapted into movies. Quite commonly an assigned book for reading in schools.
The story follows Marty Preston, an eleven year old boy who lives with his family in the small town of Friendly, West Virginia. One day he finds a lone beagle near his house, which follows him around and eventually goes home with him. Connecting with the dog, Marty dubs him Shiloh after an old abandoned school nearby. However, he soon learns that the beagle belongs to his drunken and somewhat violent neighbor, Judd, and is forced to give Shiloh back. After seeing Judd's cruel treatment of the dog, Marty decides to take matters into his own hands and takes the dog back, caring for it in secret. Soon, he is faced with many moral and ethical problems concerning Shiloh.
- The Alcoholic: Judd.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: Dara Lynn.
- A Boy and His X: In this case a dog.
- Canine Companion
- Cute Kitten: Dara Lynn is jealous that Marty is allowed to have Shiloh when she always wanted to have a kitten. In the last book, Marty tells her that they are going to get one.
- Death by Newbery Medal: Averted throughout the series. Not only is Shiloh's life put in danger, but also Judd, and Marty's little sister. They all survive.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: In order to finally keep Shiloh, Marty strives to proves he deserves to keep the dog. He even buys Shiloh from Judd through his own hard labor.
- Film of the Book
- Heel Face Turn: Judd in the later books.
- Precious Puppies
- Sibling Rivalry: Between Dara Lynn and Marty.