I'm a sucker for anything with dogs in it, Old Yeller, White Fang, Where the Red Fern Grows, the original Shiloh, and this sequel's no exception. Got this as a hardcover when it first came out and absolutely loved it. What ten year old kid wouldn't want to read about a kid his age and the dog he rescued from its old, abusive owner? So I finally dug this book out of my closet, and looking back, while my appreciation has slightly waned, book's still excellent.Mostly because I absolutely love Marty and Shiloh, then and now, while Dara Lynn and Becky have both grown on me. This book's more about Marty realizing Judd Travers isn't the monster he was portrayed as in the first book than about Shiloh or Marty's family as the original was, but despite fewer Marty/Shiloh moments it's still so personal, so relatable, I'm still amazed at how well Naylor captures the voice of a kid who really cares for his dog. It helped too that my dad used to live in Morgantown, so the West Virginia setting really worked for me, Naylor certainly captures the rural feel very well, far more than a certain other book also supposedly set in West Virginia. And apparently, the directions in here will get you to all the places in Friendly, and I totally believe it. Quite a bit of nice nostalgia. More importantly, this book, even more than the first one, is all about relationships. It's not so much focused on the relationship between a kid and his dog like in the first book, but I really liked how Marty's relationship with his dad, his sisters, his friend David Howard, all got fleshed out. And his relationship with Judd Travers, I know Naylor wrote these sequels as a result of all the negative reaction to his character from the first book, I was one of the ones who hated him, and I think Naylor did an absolutely inspiring job transforming the monster into a relatable person without changing his character. And Marty's dad really is insightful too.My only problem is that I'm not as vested in Marty's relationship with Judd, the focus of this book, not nearly as much as Marty's relationship with Shiloh, the focus of the first book. I understand what Naylor is trying to do with this sequel, it works, but it's just doesn't hit home the way Marty caring for Shiloh did. But I still smile when I read this, even today.
The main characters in Shiloh Season are Marty Preston's, Judd Travers, and Shiloh. This book was taking place in the town of Friendly, West Virginia at in the woods of the preston resident. Judd Travers has been drinking a lot lately and has been seen up at the Preston's land hunting for small game out if season. Marty is very worried that Shiloh is going to be shot by Judd when he is playing in the woods. The reason that Marty thinks that is because Shiloh used to be Judd's dog but Marty worked for Judd to earn Shiloh. Judd is a man that doesn't have much in his life and is always getting into trouble or starting fights with people at the bar. Judd lost everything when Shiloh was given to Marty he claims that Marty took the best hunting dog he ever owned. Marty is a young boy who has a very nice family they are not that wealthy but they get through life very well. All Marty really cares about is Shiloh he says he wouldn't give up Shiloh for all the money in the world and will never give him back to Judd. The book is not that hard of a read I would recommend this book to anyone in 8th grade or to my grade. It was a very easy read and easy to follow along too. It was probably to easy of a read for me so many people in lower grades should be able to read it.
What do You think about Shiloh Season (2000)?
Our textbook states that contemporary realistic fiction expands readers awareness and allows them the opportunity to witness life experiences beyond their own. Marty goes through both of these transformations himself as he works through his own moral dilemma in the novel, Shiloh. I really love the way that Phyllis Reynolds Naylor provides young readers with a story that shows just how much we can learn about a situation and actions of individuals involved by investigating further into those people.I will never forget reading Shiloh for the first time in my bedroom closet with a flashlight because I couldn't be seen getting as emotional as I was over a book. Years later, I still found myself moved in a similar manner.
—Katie Carson
Shiloh Season is a strong sequel to Shiloh, though of course, like many books with sequels, none will ever surpass the first. However, this sequel comes close. When Shiloh's original owner, Judd Travers, starts drinking and harassing the Prestons, Marty begins to worry that he, his beloved dog, and even his younger sisters are in danger of Judd's gun. Marty does some more growing and learning about the importance of telling the truth and showing kindness to others, even to those who are deliberately nasty to him. This story is much more suspenseful than the first, as Judd steadily becomes the villain that Naylor only hinted at in the first book. As I approached the end, I found myself almost holding my breath, wondering whether something horrible was about to happen to the Prestons or to Shiloh by Judd's hands. That isn't quite what happens, but the climax is exciting, and the denouement satisfied me. When I read the last line, I almost cried - and since I never cry with books, that's saying a lot for me!
—Emily
Great little book! As Children's authors go, Naylor has a great sense of voice, a great balance between concision and color. Three favorite quotes:1. "Any other time a teacher told me to stay behind at recess, I would be thinking I was in big trouble. But when I leave the room and go out to get in that kickball game, I feel like Miss Talbot really wants to see me make something of myself." I need to work on that attribute more as a teacher.2."If Jesus is getting one prayer from your lips and another from your heart, which one is he going to pay attention to?"3. "'You have to LEARN kindness, Marty, same as you learn to tie your shoes,'Doc says. "And Judd just never had anyone to teach him."
—Mel Foster
