| 11-year-old Marty Preston knows enough about dogs—and people—to know there's something unusual about the shy beagle pup he finds running loose in the woods near his home in rural West Virginia. The pup has been abused, and the abusive owner is none other than Marty's hard-hearted neighbor, Judd Travers. Though Marty reluctantly returns the lost dog to Judd, he can't help but wonder why doing the “right” thing feels so wrong.
It isn't long before the beagle escapes again, but Marty can't bear the thought of giving Judd another opportunity to kick, beat, and starve his new best bud. This time, Marty decides to keep the dog as his own secret pet. He names the pup Shiloh, and keeps him in a pen on the hilly edge of the Preston property. Marty hates having to tell lies in order to keep Shiloh safe, but he hates the thought of Judd Travers' heavy-handed ways much more. But when a German shepherd attacks Shiloh, Marty's secrets come undone. Judd learns that Marty has been caring for his runaway beagle, and demands that the Prestons return Shiloh. Marty learns to stand up for his beliefs, and convinces Judd to make a bargain; eventually, Marty earns the right to love and care for Shiloh in exchange for 20 hours of hard labor, and the dynamic duo return to delight readers with additional lessons and adventures in Shiloh Season and Saving Shiloh. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - thoughtful Time/era of story - 1980's-1999 Animal story Yes Kind of animal: Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 7-10 Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - a kid Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Eccentric/Smart/Dumb: Yes Eccentric: How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - below average Setting United States Yes The US: - Southeast Small town? Yes Writing Style Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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