Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme: Family, Perserverance, Love
Grade Level:3-5
Curricular Connections: Social Studies (Economy), Language (dialect)

Marty, an 11 year old boy from a poor family in rural West Virginia, is walking along a road and comes upon a stray dog. The dog is timid when Marty approaches it, but ends up following him home. Marty decides to call the dog Shiloh because he first notices it by the Shiloh school house. Marty's parents figure the dog belongs to Judd Travers, a neighbor who is known for abusing his hunting dogs. Although Marty doesn't want to return the dog, his parents tell him he must do the right thing. Shiloh ends up running away from Judd again this time right to Marty's house. Marty decideds to hide the dog in an obscure place close to his house. He sneaks food to the dog and slips away to spend time bonding with Shiloh, but he must lie to his family and friends to do so. When another dog attacks Shiloh, Marty's secret is revealed. Judd agrees to let Shiloh stay at Marty's until he is healed, and then agrees to let Marty purchase Shiloh for $40. Marty works for Judd at his place to earn the money. Judd changes his mind when he sees that Marty may actually accomplish the task, and he tries to make the work harder and more miserable for Marty. However, in Marty's mind Shiloh already belongs to him, and nothing will stop him from completing the task and legally making Shiloh his own.

Sequels: Shiloh Season, Saving Shiloh

Classroom Activities:

1. Have students compare and constrast the type of work and the amount of time it would have taken them to earn $40 to buy Shiloh compared to Marty. Also, have them research how much money it might cost them to buy a dog like Shiloh.

2. Although the characters from Shiloh speak English, and we can understand it, it certainly isn't the way we talk. Have students research the different dialects found in the United States. They can display their findings on various charts or maps.