Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Shiloh. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Eleven-year-old Marty Preston gets to keep Shiloh, the beagle he hid from its abusive owner, Judd Travers, by striking a deal: Marty works twenty hours for Judd, and Judd agrees to give him the dog. Judd tries to cheat him, but Marty keeps his word, and Judd finally hands over Shiloh.
Quick facts
– Book: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
– First published: 1991
– Type: A middle-grade novel
– Tone of the ending: Hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In the hills of West Virginia, Marty finds a beagle that has run away from Judd, who mistreats his dogs. Marty hides the dog in a pen in the woods and names him Shiloh, lying to his family to protect him. One night a German shepherd attacks Shiloh, and the secret comes out.
What Happens at the End of Shiloh
Marty's father insists Shiloh must go back to Judd. Marty goes to Judd's house and sees Judd shoot a deer out of season. He uses this to bargain. Judd makes him work twenty hours. Judd tries to back out, claiming the deal had no witness, but Marty finishes the work. Judd, softened, gives him Shiloh and a collar.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Marty uses Judd's illegal hunting to bargain.
- Marty works for Shiloh.
- Judd keeps the deal.
- Marty learns about right and wrong.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Marty Preston | Keeps Shiloh |
| Shiloh | Gets a loving home |
| Judd Travers | Gives up the dog |
| Ray Preston | Marty's father |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that doing right is complicated, but kindness can change people.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers debate whether Marty was right to lie to his family and to use Judd's illegal hunting against him. The book asks children to think about the difference between the law and what is right.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Honesty. Marty struggles with lies.
Kindness. Kindness changes Judd.
Responsibility. Marty takes responsibility.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Shiloh as hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Phyllis Reynolds Naylor to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Phyllis Reynolds Naylor closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1996 film follows the novel's ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Shiloh with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about honesty, and do you agree with Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces honesty and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Phyllis Reynolds Naylor leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Shiloh often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Shiloh earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Shiloh on Amazon
Books to Read After Shiloh
- Shiloh Season by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
- Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Related: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Shiloh?
Eleven-year-old Marty Preston gets to keep Shiloh, the beagle he hid from its abusive owner, Judd Travers, by striking a deal: Marty works twenty hours for Judd, and Judd agrees to give him the dog. Judd tries to cheat him, but Marty keeps his word, and Judd finally hands over Shiloh.
Is the ending of Shiloh happy or sad?
Most readers call it hopeful.
What does the ending of Shiloh mean?
The ending shows that doing right is complicated, but kindness can change people.
Is the ending of Shiloh the same in the adaptation?
The 1996 film follows the novel's ending.
Who wrote Shiloh and when was it published?
Shiloh was written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and first published in 1991.
Is Shiloh worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy middle-grade novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Phyllis Reynolds Naylor prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Shiloh before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.