A Shiloh Christmas

Starred review from September 14, 2015
Nearly 20 years after Saving Shiloh (1997), Naylor adds a fourth title to the trilogy that began with her Newbery Medal–winning Shiloh. Set a year after Marty and Shiloh were reunited in the previous book, this installment begins with a summer drought and makes its way past Halloween and Thanksgiving to conclude with a restorative Christmas meal shared by characters who don’t always see eye to eye. Along the way, Marty wrestles with the arrival of a new preacher who focuses on sin and punishment over love and forgiveness (and whose home life raises some tough moral questions for Marty’s family), as well as a damaging fire that destroys the home of a newly repentant Judd Travers. Naylor seamlessly interlaces themes of tolerance, compassion, and forgiveness in this poignant story as she explores the interconnectedness of family members, communities, and the dogs they love. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from July 15, 2015
A new school year brings new friends, new blessings, and new tragedies for the beagle Shiloh and his family. A devastating drought has everyone's nerves on edge, so when a new pastor arrives, pointing to unrepentant sinners as the cause of the drought, local residents begin seeking whom to blame for their misfortunes. Judd, Shiloh's former abusive owner, is one of the easiest targets. So, when a fire destroys several homes, Marty and his family jump in to help all the victims, including Judd, rebuild their lives and their reputations. But a more difficult problem arises when Marty and his friend discover Rachel, one of the pastor's daughters, locked up in the family's toolshed. Marty's parents must decide where the line between punishment and abuse lies. In the end, lessons from Judd's painful past point the way for both parents and children alike. This artfully wrought story of restoration manages to be both hopeful as well as authentic. Shiloh's move from abused pup to well-loved pet is an ideal metaphor for the plot's various redemption stories, which culminate on Christmas day.Perfect for longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike, this Christmas story can be enjoyed year-round. (Fiction. 8-12)

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October 1, 2015

Gr 4-7-After nearly 18 years, the beloved Shiloh trilogy becomes a quartet. Fans of the first books will find comfort and similarity in the continuing saga of 12-year-old Marty, his rambunctious beagle, and his family in their rural West Virginia community. The book is set mostly in midsummer during one of the worst droughts on record, and residents are quick to accuse Judd Travers of setting a fire that burns several homes, including his own. Marty's parents reach out to Judd, Shiloh's former abusive owner, offering him shelter while he rebuilds his life and searches for his missing dogs. Meanwhile, Marty and his family grapple with difficult decisions when they suspect the new pastor of abusing his daughters. This is not so much a Christmas story as it is a book about tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness, and recognizing one's own moral compass. In response to Marty's many philosophical questions, his loving and supportive parents offer realistic guidance, advice, and discipline. As expected, Shiloh the dog plays a pivotal role in bringing about a happy resolution for Judd and Marty. VERDICT Though it stands well on its own, A Shiloh Christmas will most appeal to those already familiar with the previous titles.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

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November 1, 2015
This is a Christmas story, but first Marty and Shiloh and their family must get through a new-school routine, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, not to mention a drought and subsequent wildfire. As in the three previous books centered on the now-iconic dog Shiloh, the rural West Virginia setting and the relationships among its inhabitants are warmly but unsentimentally drawn. The story is episodic, with through-lines provided by a new girl in an unhappy home and the continuing (and believable) rehabilitation of Judd Travers. The Christmas Day conclusion provides the best kind of heartwarming: earned. roger sutton

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)