Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
- Lexile
- 890L
- Grade range
- Grades 3–6
- Age range
- Ages 8–12
- Pages
- 160
- First published
- 1991
- Genre
- Realistic Fiction
- ISBN-13
- 9781416939009
About this book
Eleven-year-old Marty Preston finds a mistreated beagle on his walk home in rural West Virginia and must decide whether to return him to his abusive owner or hide him. Winner of the 1992 Newbery Medal and widely assigned in 3rd-6th grade units on moral decision-making and rural life.
Themes
- animal welfare
- morality
- family
- rural life
- courage
Content notes
- animal abuse
- alcoholism (mentioned)
Common Sense Media recommends age 9+.
Where this book is assigned
No curriculum assignments on file yet.
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is Shiloh?
- Shiloh is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–6, with a Lexile measure of 890L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What is the Lexile level of Shiloh?
- Shiloh has a Lexile measure of 890L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- Is Shiloh banned in schools?
- Shiloh does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.
- What themes does Shiloh explore?
- Central themes in Shiloh include animal welfare, morality, family, rural life, courage. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.