A review by librariandest
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

2.0

I read Shiloh primarily because it was the only book on the list that was checked in at the public library near my house. I didn't have much of a reaction to it. In fact, even though I'd never read it before, it felt like a rerun. I don't want to be too harsh because it is basically a good, solid story with strong characters and a lovable animal, but it didn't thrill me.

To me, the only remarkable thing about the book is how moral the Preston family is. We talked about ethics a lot in 550 last quarter and I can tell you that none of us used as fine a comb as Naylor's West Virginians (excepting Judd, of course). Marty feels terrible about every little lie he tells, every little trick he pulls to save Shiloh, every tiny offense. I haven't seen such rigorous values in a work of fiction in a long time.