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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I cannot believe that Marty worked two weeks just for Shiloh and i'm not saying that I wouldn't do that for my dog. But I thought that Judd Travers was gonna say you didn't have a witness to see the signing for the deal so that is not something that I signed but after the two weeks he let Marty keep Shiloh.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I started and finished this book on a weekend drive.
The dog stayed alive and everyone had a happy ending including the crabby neighbor who threatened a not-happy ending.
IDK why that was on a list of trauma-inducing kids books. It's very Rural West Virginia, 1991.
I'm thinking about getting it for a friend's kid, maybe next year when they turn the age of the protagonist.
IDK why that was on a list of trauma-inducing kids books. It's very Rural West Virginia, 1991.
I'm thinking about getting it for a friend's kid, maybe next year when they turn the age of the protagonist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Classism
As a child I remember loving this book. Now after reading it to my 8 and 5 year old I know why. It is one of those books that pulls you in emotionally and does not shy away from real issues. You are put in a moral dilemma, and find yourself asking what would I do?
It has the power to spark good conversations over issues like lying to protect, being treated wrongly, and looking the other way when someone does something that’s not okay. It also shows that bad guys have hearts and have been wounded too. It grows your compassion while also giving you a reason to say “I’m not going to be like that!”
Content warning: it does have some mild cussing and uses some strong words about shooting things that may upset kids.
It has the power to spark good conversations over issues like lying to protect, being treated wrongly, and looking the other way when someone does something that’s not okay. It also shows that bad guys have hearts and have been wounded too. It grows your compassion while also giving you a reason to say “I’m not going to be like that!”
Content warning: it does have some mild cussing and uses some strong words about shooting things that may upset kids.
This book was a nice quick read for me. The themes mentioned and questions asked to the readers were very thought provoking and made me learn about myself. Some examples are "When is it okay to break a promise?" and "Is it okay to stand up for animal rights when the social norm is to mind your own business?" This was one of the few books that showed me that there were indeed gray areas in life that aren't easy to answer or deal with but they must be faced. I felt I actually grew up reading this story trying to figure how I would deal with the situation Marty, his parents, and Judd Travers are in. I've never seen the movie but it felt like one was playing in my mind as I turned the pages of this book. This is a book everyone regardless of age could enjoy but I could see middle schoolers enjoying it the most. This book is a good book that I feel is a 3.5 but I'm rounding to 4 because it's a thought provoking read that taught me a lesson.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
One of my favorites from long ago! I just finished reading it to my grade 4 students now that I am a librarian and they just loved it. When I tried to stop during one class period they begged me to read on and finish it! It's a classic that should be read by every child. The sequel books were flying off the shelves after we finished. Sometimes there is a gray area between what's right and what's wrong.