Shiloh

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. Judd Travers (Chapters 1-2)

2. Lying and cheating (Chapter 2)

Short Answer

1. When Marty first sees Shiloh, he is thin, has ticks, and cowers behind him. He calls to the dog, but Shiloh doesn’t come until Marty whistles at him. The dog refuses to leave when Marty releases him and shivers when Marty and his father drive him back to see Judd. Judd kicks Shiloh for running away and tells Marty he will “whup” the dog if he runs away again. Later Marty discovers Judd didn’t feed Shiloh as punishment for running away. (Chapters 1-3)

2. Dad tells Marty they will not report Judd because it is none of their business. Dad’s statement reveals the prevailing attitude in the area—the locals believe it is important to keep to yourself and let others live the way they see fit. (Chapter 2)

3. Marty decides to purchase Shiloh from Judd. His father recommends collecting cans, but Marty knows he will need to earn the money faster. Marty helps his father along his mailman route. (Chapter 3)

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. A dead beagle (Chapter 4)

2. David Howard (Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. Marty says he is not “rock-poor,” but his family uses their extra money to care for Grandma Preston. Marty worries he will not be able to afford to buy Shiloh from Judd and believes his family does not have enough financial stability to feed Shiloh. When Marty decides to keep Shiloh, he sneaks food to him from his own meals. (Chapter 4)

2. Judd tells the Prestons he is missing his new dog and plans to starve and whip the dog to teach him a lesson. Judd indicates that he would shoot the dog if he wasn’t such a good hunting dog. This conversation reveals that Marty’s suspicions about Judd shooting the beagle in the woods are probably correct. (Chapters 4-6)

3. Marty describes a time when he lied about eating part of Dara Lynn’s chocolate Easter rabbit. He knows lying is wrong and understands he lied to Judd when asked about Shiloh. He also believes he did the right thing despite his lie of omission because it protects Shiloh. Marty feels bad about lying to his parents. He believes they will take Shiloh back to Judd if he tells them, but they have done nothing to deserve being lied to. (Chapters 4-6)

Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. A hermit crab (Chapter 7)

2. Her nonexistent headaches (Chapter 8)

3. A German Shepherd (Chapter 9)

Short Answer

1. Marty lies to several people to keep Shiloh’s existence a secret. Apart from lying to his family, he lies to David and tells him his mother has headaches, and he lies to Dara Lynn to keep her away from Shiloh’s pens. Additionally, Marty begins to gather food wherever he can find it. He accepts extra portions from David’s mother and purchases stale food from Mr. Wallace’s corner store. The people of Friendly react to this by inquiring about Ma’s headaches and giving extra food to Dad. (Chapters 7-9)

2. Ma becomes suspicious of Marty’s behavior because she realizes he is smuggling food and disappearing frequently. She discovers Marty has been hiding Shiloh and agrees to give Marty one day before telling Dad about the discovery. Ma compromises her morals because she has never kept a secret from her husband before. (Chapter 9)

Chapters 10-12

Reading Check

1. To Doc Murphy (Chapter 10)

2. Doc Murphy (Chapter 12)

Short Answer

1. Marty’s father wonders what else Marty has lied about, indicating that trust has been broken between Marty and his father. He tells Marty animal abuse is rampant in their area and that Marty must follow the law to make changes to that. Marty’s father insists Marty owns up to his deception by explaining what he has done to Doc Murphy and to Judd. (Chapters 10-12)

2. Marty realizes that by lying to everyone, he has created friction in his parents’ relationship and Shiloh’s injuries may be far worse than they would have been had Marty left Shiloh with Judd. Marty also recognizes that Judd may discover Marty’s secret prematurely now that Doc Murphy knows about Shiloh’s condition and to whom he belongs. (Chapter 11)

3. Doc Murphy returns Shiloh to the Prestons the day after he was attacked by the German Shepherd, and Shiloh is much improved. Shiloh is happy to see the Prestons and his happiness affects the family members. Ma, for example, is no longer angry when Shiloh greets the family. The whole family accepts Shiloh into their care. Dad warms to Shiloh and Ma hums to him like a baby. Marty’s sisters enjoy petting him. (Chapters 7-12)

Chapters 13-15

Reading Check

1. A doe (Chapter 13)

2. $200 (Chapter 14)

3. An old dog collar (Chapter 15)

Short Answer

1. Marty tries to think of ways to save Shiloh from Judd. He considered finding a new hiding place or asking David to send Shiloh to a relative far away. He also considers reporting animal abuse, but his father says there is no proof. Marty decides to visit Judd to give him an ultimatum and accidentally stumbles on Judd as he illegally poaches a doe. Marty blackmails Judd into giving Shiloh to him in exchange for his silence over the doe and 20 hours’ worth of work for Judd. (Chapters 13-14)

2. Judd gives Marty difficult physical tasks like restacking the woodpile, hoeing corn, and splitting wood. The difficult tasks are intended to force Marty to give up on working for Shiloh. When the tasks are finished, Judd tells Marty his labor was worthless because they did not have a witness for the paperwork that was signed. Though Judd eventually gives Marty the dog, it reveals that Judd is willing to cheat people out of agreements if it suits his purposes. (Chapter 15)