About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a moral dilemma or questioning when it is acceptable to bend the rules for a greater good. This Newbery Medal winner follows eleven year old Marty Preston in rural West Virginia as he discovers an abused beagle he names Shiloh. To protect the dog from its cruel owner, Marty makes the difficult choice to hide Shiloh and lie to his parents, sparking a deep internal conflict about honesty versus compassion. It is a poignant exploration of the gray areas of morality and the weight of keeping a secret. Ideal for ages 8 to 12, this story provides a realistic look at responsibility and the hard work required to do what is right. Parents will appreciate how it models empathy and the complex reality that some problems do not have easy answers.
