Shiloh

Set in the hills of rural West Virginia, this is the story of 11-year-old Marty Preston and the dog he sets out to rescue from its abusive owner. Although Marty knows better than to do battle with the foul-tempered Judd Travers, he is unable to stop himself when he discovers that the gentle but frightened beagle he found roaming in the woods has run away from Judd. Although Marty initially returns the dog, he is unable to do so when the dog escapes from him a second time and returns to Marty's gentle care. Knowing that his parents will send the dog right back, Marty builds a pen for his new pet, whom he names Shiloh, and secretly cares for him--hoping, in the meantime, to raise enough money to buy the dog from Judd. However, caring for Shiloh means lying to his friends and family, a situation that causes Marty great pain. A study of human nature, sacrifice, ethics, and the eternal bond between boy and dog, SHILOH won the 1992 Newbery Medal.