a.
Shiloh Season is the
second book in this series by Naylor. It continues to battle between two people
who want the same thing: Shiloh. Marty and Judd Travers have secrets and deals
that they don’t want anyone don’t want anyone to find out, unless it suits
thems. After many run-ins with Judd and increasingly tense conversations, Judd has
an accident that puts him in a very vulnerable state. As it happens, Shiloh is the
one to rescue him, or at least get help. Being the stubborn man that he is,
Judd continues to make threats and reject help that he does not deserve from
his kind neighbors. The story is sweetly finished by a visit to Judd where the
terrified Shiloh finally seems to open up to a kind Judd that he does not
recognize.
b. Naylor, P. R. (1996) Shiloh season. New York, NY: Atheneum.
c.
I read the first
Shiloh book many years ago, so I had some background knowledge to this book. I thought
this book provided a nice closure to the series in that it doesn’t stray from
the believable grumpy old man that Judd is and the kind but strong-willed boy
that Marty is. Marty’s voice in the story is easy to imagine with his improper
grammar and way of speaking that adds to the story. Naylor did not provide some sappy ending that
would have killed the storyline. Sure, it is unlikely that a Lassie-like moment
would save the bad guy, but this is fiction. The way that the author writes
about friendly, and forgiving neighborly folk seems to fit right in with this
story. I think that detail teaches readers that at the end of the day, it is on
your own conscience to help someone who clearly needs it but is too stubborn to
admit it. Even though you may not be
appreciated from your efforts, it is best to do the right thing those around
you, even if it stings.
d.
E.S.W. (1996). Shiloh Season. Horn Book
Magazine, 72(6), 737-738.
Marty's voice is consistently strong
and true in this sequel to Shiloh, where he faces the consequences of
his "bargain" with Judd Travers, the man who gave Shiloh to
Marty in exchange for his silence about Judd's illegal out-of-season
hunting. Judd has been drinking hard and growing increasingly reckless with
both his truck and his gun, and Marty fears that he'll declare a "Shiloh
season" any day. The tension is well-paced as scary incidents involving
Marty and Judd pile up. But the scenes of Marty's family life add comfort and
contrast; there's dry humor as well, as in a scene of flying rumors the day
after Judd's dogs get loose and run amok: "By the time that bus rolls into
the driveway at school, we have cats missing, babies missing, girls with their
arms torn clear off their bodies, and a whole pack of men…all out lookin' for
Judd Travers." A touch of deeper substance is added when some of life's
big paradoxes ("I tell the truth, and look at what happens") are
naturally integrated into the story without preaching. Shiloh fans will
be well served by the sequel.
e.
I would like to use
this book as well as the first book, Shiloh
in a book study with the upper grades. If possible, I think it would be useful
to collaborate with the teachers to try to incorporate all standards relevant
to this particular series. This could be a semester long undertaking with
weekly sessions in the library to discuss. This way, the library is more than
just a check out and in spot. The students can feel comfortable to form their
own groups and analyze their favorite books in the future.
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