Shiloh

Por Phyllis Reynolds Naylor y Tania Janco

En casa de Marty Preston no sobra el dinero, así que parece imposible que él y sus hermanos tengan una mascota. Un domingo, Marty encuentra un cachorro al que decide cuidar y proteger. Para hacerlo deberá mentir y cada mentira le generará un problema mayor. Pronto Marty comprende que no siempre es fácil saber qué es lo correcto.

• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: Fondo de Cultura Económica
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 18 may 2017
• ISBN: 9786071649621

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has written more than 135 books, including the Newbery Award–winning Shiloh and its sequels, the Alice series, Roxie and the Hooligans, and Roxie and the Hooligans at Buzzard’s Roost. She lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland. To hear from Phyllis and find out more about Alice, visit AliceMcKinley.com.

Vista previa del libro

15

Capítulo 1

El día que Shiloh se aparece por casa estamos a mitad de una comilona de domingo. Dara Lynn sopea el pan en su taza de té frío, como le gusta hacerlo, y Becky arrima los frijoles al borde de su plato y luego se los lleva a la boca.

Mamá le lanza una mirada de reproche:

—Aunque sea una sola vez en la vida me gustaría ver que la comida vaya del plato a la boca, sin desviaciones de ningún tipo.

Sin embargo, cuando dice eso me mira a mí. No es que no me guste el conejo frito. Sí me gusta. Sólo que no quiero morder un perdigón, es todo. Por eso examino cada pedazo de carne.

—Revisé bien el conejo, Marty. No encontrarás ningún perdigón en ese muslo. Le disparé en el cuello —dice papá, mientras le unta mantequilla al pan.

No sé por qué preferiría que no dijera eso. Llevo la carne de un lado a otro de mi plato, la paso entre las papas y de regreso.

—¿Murió rápido? —pregunto; y sé que no podré comer a menos que así haya sido.

—Bastante.

—¿Le volaste la cabeza de un solo disparo? —pregunta Dara Lynn. Así es ella.

Papá mastica con lentitud antes de responder.

—No exactamente —dice, y sigue comiendo.

Entonces me levanto de la mesa.

Lo que más me gusta de los domingos es que hacemos una comilona al mediodía. Ya satisfecho, uno puede caminar por todo Virginia del Este antes de que le dé hambre otra vez. Cualquier otro día, si uno sale después de comer, tiene que volver antes de que oscurezca.

Me llevé el rifle calibre .22 que me había regalado mi papá en marzo, cuando cumplí once años. Salí a ver si podía dispararle a algo. Con ganas de encontrar una manzana colgando de la punta de una rama para bajarla de un solo tiro. O colocar una fila de latas en el barandal de la reja y dispararles. Pero jamás le tiraría a nada que se mueve. Nunca he tenido el menor deseo de hacer eso.

Nosotros vivimos en las colinas que están sobre el pueblo de Friendly, pero casi nadie sabe dónde queda. Friendly está cerca de Sistersville, a medio camino entre Wheeling y Parkersburg. Mi papá me dijo que antes Sistersville era uno de los mejores lugares para vivir de todo el estado. En mi opinión, el mejor lugar para vivir es aquí, justo donde estamos: una casita de cuatro habitaciones rodeada de colinas por tres lados.

La tarde es mi segundo momento favorito del día para visitar las colinas: la mañana es mejor, en especial durante el verano. Temprano, muy temprano por la mañana. Una mañana de ésas pude ver tres tipos de animales, sin contar gatos, perros, sapos, vacas y caballos. Vi una marmota, una cierva con dos cervatillos y un zorro gris de cabeza rojiza. De seguro su papá era un zorro gris y su mamá era de color rojo.

El lugar donde más disfruto caminar es justo a través de este puente que rechina, donde el camino hace una curva al lado de la vieja escuela de Shiloh y sigue el curso del río. Río de un lado, árboles del otro: a intervalos hay una o dos casas.

Y esta tarde en particular, voy como a medio camino por el sendero que bordea el río cuando vislumbro algo con el rabillo del ojo. Algo se mueve. Observo y, como a cinco metros de distancia, hay un perro de pelaje corto —blanco con manchas cafés y negras— que no hace ruido alguno, sólo se escabulle con la cabeza gacha, y me observa con la cola entre las patas, como si apenas tuviera derecho a respirar en este mundo. Es un sabueso como de uno o dos años de edad.

Me detengo y el perro se detiene. Parece como si lo hubiera sorprendido haciendo algo indebido, pero yo sé que lo único que quiere, en realidad, es caminar a mi lado.

—Ven, perrito —le digo, golpeando mi pierna.

El perro se echa y se arrastra por el pasto. Yo me río y me dirijo hacia él. Lleva un viejo collar desgastado, quizá más viejo que él mismo. De seguro perteneció a otro perro antes que a él.

—Ven, perrito —digo y extiendo mi mano.

El perro se incorpora y retrocede. No hace un solo ruido, como si fuera mudo.

En verdad duele ver a un perro encogerse de esa manera. Uno sabe que lo han maltratado. Quizá lo han golpeado.

—Está bien, muchacho —le digo y me acerco otro poco, pero él retrocede más.

Así es que tomo mi rifle y camino a orillas del río. Me vuelvo a mirar sobre mi hombro y ahí está el perro. Me detengo y él se detiene. Entreveo sus costillas. No está mucho muy flaco pero tampoco se le ve regordete ni nada por el estilo.

Una rama cuelga sobre el agua y me pregunto si podré derribarla de un tiro. Apunto mi arma y entonces me viene a la mente que la detonación puede asustarlo. Decido que no tengo muchas ganas de disparar.

Éste es un río manso. Si caminas por su ribera parece que ni siquiera se mueve. Pero si te detienes puedes ver cómo se mueven las hojas y lo demás que flota en él. De vez en cuando salta algún pez: son muy grandes. Creo que son tilos. El perro aún me sigue con el rabo entre las patas. Me llama la atención que no haga ningún ruido.

Por fin me siento en un tronco, coloco el arma a mis pies y espero. Un poco más atrás, en el camino, el perro también se echa justo a mitad del sendero con la cabeza sobre las patas.

—¡Ven, perrito! —le digo y otra vez golpeteo ligeramente mi rodilla.

Se mueve sólo un poco pero no se acerca.

A lo mejor no es macho sino hembra.

—Ven, perrita —le digo. El perro no viene.

Decido esperarlo, pero después de estar sentado tres o cuatro minutos sobre el tronco, me aburro y reemprendo el camino. También el sabueso.

Si siguiera el río hasta el final, quién sabe a dónde llegaría. He oído decir que da la vuelta y se regresa, pero si no es cierto y llego a casa después del anochecer, me espera una buena paliza. Así es que siempre llego hasta el vado donde el río inunda el camino y vuelvo a casa.

Cuando me doy la media vuelta y el perro ve que avanzo, huye hacia el bosque. Me imagino que ésa será la última vez que lo vea y camino hasta la mitad del sendero antes de voltear otra vez. Ahí está. Me detengo. Se detiene. Avanzo. Él avanza.

Y entonces, casi sin pensarlo, doy un silbido.

Es como si hubiera apretado un botón mágico. El sabueso corre hacia mí con las patas a todo lo que dan, las orejas le rebotan y tiene el rabo levantado como un asta bandera. Extiendo mi mano y él me lame todos los dedos, salta hacia mi pierna y hace ruiditos con la garganta. Está feliz, es como si todo el tiempo él hubiera dicho que no y ahora dijera que sí, que sí podía acercarme. Tal y como lo pensé, es macho.

—Ven, muchacho. Vaya que eres especial, ¿verdad?

Me río mientras el sabueso da vueltas a mi alrededor. Me pongo de cuclillas y el perro lame mi cara y cuello. ¿Dónde aprendió a acercarse si uno le silba y a alejarse si uno no lo hace?

Estoy tan entretenido con el perro que no me doy cuenta de que empieza a llover. A mí no me molesta. Tampoco a él. Busco el lugar donde lo encontré. ¿Vivirá ahí? Quién sabe. ¿O acaso vivirá en la casa que está al final de la calle? Cada vez que pasamos frente a un lugar me imagino que se detendrá: que tal vez alguien saldrá y le silbará. Pero nadie sale y el perro no se detiene. Me sigue aún después de la vieja escuela de Shiloh. Me sigue incluso a través del puente, moviendo el rabo como una hélice. De vez en cuando me lame la mano para asegurarse de que todavía estoy aquí. Tiene el hocico abierto como si sonriera. Está sonriendo.

Una vez que cruza el puente conmigo y pasamos frente al molino de harina empiezo a preocuparme. Al parecer piensa seguirme hasta la casa. Ya tengo suficientes problemas con llegar empapado. Mi abuela materna murió de neumonía y mis papás nunca nos dejan olvidarlo. Y ahora regreso con un perro. A nosotros no nos permiten tener mascotas.

Si no puedes alimentarlas y pagarles el veterinario cuando se enferman, no tienes derecho a tenerlas dice mi mamá, con razón.

Durante el resto del trayecto a casa no le hablo más al perro con la esperanza de que se dé la media vuelta y se vaya. Todavía me sigue.

Llego hasta el pórtico y le digo:

—Vete a casa, muchacho.

Y entonces, cuando deja de

Comentarios para Shiloh

[Julieta · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

El libro es muy entretenido y me encanto la valentía de Marty :)

[goodnightmoon_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I wasn't looking forward to a book about a boy and his dog (I don't get that type of relationship at all), but I was pleased to discover that this book was less about the bond (which was automatic and natural) and more about Marty's internal struggle to do what's "right" - whatever that is in this case. It was a great dilemma that drove the simple story. Marty's character is full of integrity, providing a fantastic model for kids and adults alike.

[smithalec · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Summary: This book is about a dog named Shiloh. The dog is sad and abused and followed a boy named Marty home. Marty wanted to keep him, but gave him back to his abusive owner neighbor. Shiloh comes back a second time and Marty convinces the owner to let him have Shiloh in exchange for 20hours of labor. This book teaches many good lessons about hard work and perseverance. This is a heartwarming book about a boy that wants to save a mistreated dog.Personal Reaction: I think that Shiloh is a great book. If I have kids I will definitely make them read it. I watched the movie growing up and read the book. I hope this classic stays around.Classroom Extensions: 1) I would give each student a piece of paper and tell them to describe their favorite pet, and if they do not have a pet I would instruct them to write about a pet they wished they had. 2) I would plan a fieldtrip to an animal shelter. I would have the children see what happens to animals that are not taken good care of. I would encourage them to think about talking to their parents about adopting from the animal shelter the next time they consider getting a new pet.

[shortyk_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

This is the story of an 11 yr old boy that falls in love with a beagle that belongs to someone else. Shiloh helps show that you shouldn't lie or judge people. Marty decides that the dog is being abused and hides the dog. He lies again and again to keep the dog. He knows that he is wrong but feels he's not as wrong as Judd. The story follows the consquences of lying and the journey of doing anything you had to for a friend. I think that Naylor did a great job with this story. She showed the thoughts and feelings of the characters well. I liked this book and would recommend it to teach consquences of lying and taking responsibility for your actions- good and bad

[klburnside · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Shiloh is the 1992 Newbery winner about a boy who rescues a dog who is being abused by his owner. I am not really an animal lover, and I am always surprised when I enjoy books about children and their love for animals. But the narrator's voice was engaging and I couldn't help myself. I liked his relationship with his parents and his level of self-awareness.

I have not liked most of the Newbery books I have read recently, so I may be rating this higher than I normally would. I was excited to finally feel engaged with the story of a Newbery book.

[katie20_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

This book was about a young boy named Marty who loved this dog that he found walking home oneday. This dog followed him home and found out that he was his mean neighbors dog that lived on the other side of town. He absoultely loved this dog and began to grow feelings to keep him as his own. He finally gets his way and works for Judd to get his dog Shiloh. This book is addicting and one of the best books I have ever read. It is loving and sweet. One of my favorite books because it shows good character and is a real life situation.

[braydon1010 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Summary:Shiloh is about a boy Marty who finds a dog and names it Shiloh. The dog is very skittish and is afraid of people. The family ends up falling in love with Shiloh and keeps him.Personal Reaction:I feel like most dogs are treated poorly and should have the right owners that take care of them. we have 3 dogs and they never tuck their tail unless they know they are in trouble.Classroom Extensions: 1. Have students bring in a picture of their dog.2. Read the book out loud.

[marybe789 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Content summary: friendship, maturity, growing up, fighting for what you believe in, values, ethics, hard work, determination

[mirrani_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

This is the perfect book for any animal lover. The main character's devotion to a stray is something that is very important to share in a time when adoption areas and shelters are desperate to find happy homes for unwanted, unloved animals. Sharing this story with a younger reader will help encourage them to treat animals fairly and older readers will take from it the emotion that comes along with keeping a secret for all the right reasons. Is it right to tell a lie that saves an animal's life? Are there consequences?Well written and perfectly "spoken" by a country boy, this story will touch the heart of anyone who picks it up. It's almost a guarantee that you won't be able to put this book down. It easily deserves the Newbery Medal that it won.

[booxo789 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

This book had scary and happy parts but I still liked it.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This is a tenderhearted tale of a boy and his dog. There is something magical about the love that grows between Marty and Shiloh. It is also interesting that Marty faces some grown up dilemmas in deciding what is right and wrong, what is dangerous about lies, and what is honorable. The setting is unique but in a way that is just there, not full of explanations. You get a sense of the poverty of the area, but also of the hard-working ethic of Marty's family, and of others in the community. Wonderful book.

[hammy_volleyball6 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Read it for ever agoo but it a good book

[jlhardy_1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Book Summary: After going for a walk one day, Marty noticed that a young beagle had followed him home. His father recognized this beagle as Judd Traver's dog . Marty and his father took him to Judd's house and saw how horribly he treated this dog. Once the beagle followed Marty a few more times, he decided to secretly keep him in a cage he built. A terrible thing happens to Shiloh, the new name for the beagle, while in the cage. Because of this accident, Marty's parents find out about him hiding Shiloh. He must now convince his parents and Judd to allow him to keep the dog. Content Summary: friendship, growing up, coming-of-age

[imaboss-3 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

it is cool

[michael_rose-1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Fucking Judd, man. I wanted to punch that cock sucker in the face.

[lp118825 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This book is about a young boy named Marty who gets a dog named Shiloh. He later then finds out that Shiloh really belongs to a man by the name of Judd who is known for being cruel to dogs. In return, Marty hides Shiloh. Judd then tells Marty that he wants Shiloh back, but Marty makes a deal with Judd to keep Shiloh. Personal reaction: This book reminds alot of books written a long time ago. It reminds me of when I was young, when in that time, we didn't have video games or ipods. We were always adventourous playing outside as Marty was in the story. Classroom Extensions: I would have students draw a picture of their pet or pets. If they do not have a pet, draw a picture of what kind of pet they would like to have. I would also have my students write in their journals the summary, their favorite part, and why.

[cherzog-1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Marty discovers that his neighbor is abusing his dog Shiloh. He tries to take care of the dog when the alcoholic owner doesn't notice. Mary decides to steal him and hide him to make it look like the dog left on his own without getting into trouble. This plan eventually fails and Marty feels bad for lying to everybody for so long. Marty does end up getting to keep Shiloh.

[francescadefreitas · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I was reading another dead dog, but this was a charming little story of a boy who falls in love with an abused dog and uses determination and moral outrage to defy his family and the dog's owner. There are shades of grey to the action, and the descriptions of the family and the landscape bring the tale to life.

[amberthehuman · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

I like this - but I didn't love this. It's kind of difficult to read, not because the writing is bad, but because it just doesn't spend a lot of time being happy. It's a short book, even for a children's book, but it took me awhile to get through, because I really only wanted to read one chapter at a time, it was just too sad. Still, it was good enough so that I'm curious about the sequels.

[1rh01gro · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

the shiloh is about a dog and a boy yhey both have a relationship with eachother. Also they stay by each other.

[marisam5 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Shiloh was a great book. It is about a boy who finds a dog in need of his love. The dog is namd shiloh and belongs to an evil man named Judd Travers. Marty the boy is fightnig to keep Shiloh for himself. Shiloh is a great book for all ages and all animal lovers.

[jojamo_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Summary: Shiloh is a book about a young boy, Marty, that a stray dog follows home. Marty is not allowed to keep the dog because the family cannot afford to feed and take of it. He does not want to return the dog to his owner because he thinks the owner is abusing the dog. When he does return the dog, who he has named Shiloh, Shiloh just runs away again. This time Marty hides Shiloh in the meadow, builds him a pen, and sneaks him food. Marty’s mother follows Marty one evening and finds out about Shiloh, that night Shiloh gets hurt and Marty’s father finds out also. They have to take Shiloh to the vet, and the owner finds out about where Shiloh has been. The family decides it is better for the dog to stay there until he is healed from his wounds. The family takes a liking to Shiloh and Marty ends up working for the owner to pay and keep him.Personal reaction: I really liked the book, and now I want to read the other two. The book shows realistic situations such as animal abuse, caring for animals, honesty, and responsibility. These are social issues children need to be aware of and learn how to handle should the occasion arise. Classroom extension: 1. I would use this book is a lesson about responsibilities. The students could do responsibility charts and fill in what they do to be responsible. 2. I would also use this book in a lesson about animals and pets. The students could select their favorite pet and tell how they take care of it.

[foggidawn · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

When Marty discovers an abused and underfed hunting dog on his rambles through the countryside, it's love at first sight. Unfortunately, the dog belongs to Marty's neighbor, a hard, cruel man who isn't interested in giving the dog up. Moreover, Marty knows his family can't afford a pet; they can barely afford to keep food on their table. When Marty finds the dog again, he faces a moral dilemma: is it right to lie in order to save an animal's life?This Newbery winner has appealing subject matter, makes for interesting group discussion, and has a strong first-person narrative voice. Plus, the dog doesn't die! (I don't feel that that's a spoiler, as there are three more books in the series with the dog's name in the title.) It's not a new favorite of mine, but it's a solid choice on the part of that year's committee. I can see myself recommending this book to young animal lovers.

[ashdawn21 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

When a young comes across a young beagle in the woods behind his home, its love at first sight, but little does he know that the beagle belongs to Judd Travers, the alcoholic and dog abuser , that lives down the street. So the boy trys to keep Shiloh hiden in a shed he makes. Thats when things start to get out of hand!This is another one of my all time favorite books! I cry everytime I read this one because I have such a soft side for animals.I could have my students tell about what they would do if they were in the same situation that the boy was in. Or I could have them draw a picture of something they would be willing to fight for and tell about it.

[benuathanasia · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I read this book with some fifth grade special education students (mostly autistic). They loved the story and really enjoyed it.

[beckytillett · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Marty takes to a dog that has followed him home- only to learn that the dog belongs to Judd Travers. But Marty knows that Judd is cruel and beats his dog- so what should he do? Is there a right answer? This book leads to great discussions about the difference between right and wrong and moral dilemmas. Kids start to realize that not everything is black and white.

[karacalderon · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Summary:This book is about a young boy named Marty who finds a beagle who has been abused. He loves the dog and names him Shiloh.He later finds out the owner is Judd a mean neighbor. After returning the dog once and Shiloh returning to Marty he decides to keep him, and not tell anyone. In the end he has to go work for the owner Judd to pay off the debt of the dog.Personal Reaction:Being a dog lover myself, and having a beagle I have to say I really love this book. It shows how far someone is willing to go for an animal they love.Classroom Extensions:1. Have students draw a picture of their pet, or one they'd like to have, and tell why they are so special to them.2. Discuss about telling the truth, and keeping secrets.

[yoshikawa_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Finally, an excellent (award-winning, actually) dog book with which a bond between boy and dog isn't shattered because of any deaths. I give this book an A+! Watch out for a lot of swearing, though.

[mbolle1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I believe that this book is an amazing chapter book for young readers. I loved this book because I found that the author developed the plot very well and it was definitely a page-turner. The story was full of action and suspense as the main character fought to keep his dog, Shiloh. The plot was also very well developed because although there were a lot of sad moments throughout the text, they were often followed by happy moments. I believe that this book would be great to read aloud to a group of students, as there are many different discussion topics that push students to think about conflict. I also enjoyed the topic because the other touches on sensitive topics but there is not an extreme amount of detail about them. I believe the book is relatable to many readers, as they understand the feeling of the love of a family pet. I believe that the overall message of the book is to teach hard work and determination. The main character worked hard to be able to keep something that meant so much to him.

[bmsherid · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

This story would be a great book to introduce in the classroom if there are students who are pet-lovers. It follows the story of a boy named Marty who comes across a beagle while walking around the countryside near his West Virginian home. The beagle follows him and he can tell it is a little skittish. Over time Marty realizes this dog is mistreated by it's true own and Marty wants to keep him although his family says that they can't afford to have a dog. This novel deals with different issues such as doing the right thing and honesty. Children will fall in love with Shiloh and think about their own pets.