- a boy wants to keep a dog he’s bonded with but discovers it belongs to their regularly-drunk and abusive-to-dogs neighbor
- convo: lying without consequences, muddied ethics, bad theology*, animal abuse, using blackmail, tobacco & drinking mentioned a few times
- language: general crudeness, damn x2, Lord’s name in vain x6, heck x1
Type: chapter book
Ages: 8-12
Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
I really wanted to like this book–the premise was a unique and attractive idea–but it was rough. The boy’s bond with the dog is so sweet, but the behavior of almost everyone in the story is not something to look up to. That’s not to say that there weren’t good parts. Marty (the boy) cares for his younger sisters and understands the concept of everyone in a family pitching in. Later in the book, the father (rightfully) makes Marty face up to what he’s done.
The ill-tempered neighbor does not treat his dogs well, tries to get around the law, and is rude to anyone he meets. He particularly dislikes Marty and the two of them have multiple difficult encounters.
*Regarding the theology, the main character would have thoughts that conveyed poor understanding of true Christianity, such as wanting to go to hell instead of heaven if his dog wasn’t allowed in heaven. Most of the time Jesus or God was mentioned, the names were in a curse or as a swear word.
In discussion with my husband, we decided we would still allow our 8-year-old son to read this as an exercise in discernment. It all depends on your child and how you’ve been bringing him or her up before this point. But if you’ve had regular discussions regarding beliefs, what Scripture says, basic apologetics, and so on, then this might be a “safe” widening of his or her horizons. Interestingly, after we let this be gifted to him about a year ago, he DNF’d it after a handful of pages, which is rare for him!
I recently posted thoughts on Where the Red Fern Grows–my, what a difference in these two books! WTRFG displays all sorts of good character traits and a general growth in maturity for the main boy. Shiloh displays none of that.
What do you think? Have you read this book?