Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal cruelty.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a prolific, Newbery-winning author, recognized for her portrayal of challenging themes within children’s literature. Saving Shiloh builds on her interest in writing stories containing themes of empathy and moral development. Empathy is an important part of Naylor’s character, and empathic nature is what inspired her to begin writing the Shiloh series.

In an interview with Reading Is Fundamental, Naylor recalled walking with her husband in the West Virginia countryside and coming across a dog—skinny, tick ridden, and clearly abused. Naylor immediately formed a connection with the dog, although she and her husband could not take it with them due to having two cats of their own. The dog left a lasting imprint on Naylor, however: “Naylor said that she cried all the way home just thinking about that poor dog” (“An Interview With Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.” Reading Is Fundamental). This experience inspired her to write the Shiloh series, in which Shiloh, once abused, is welcomed into a loving family.

Despite Shiloh’s story having a happy ending, Naylor does not shy away from more challenging topics in her writing.