 In Shiloh , Naylor does not impart an explicit meaning of " honesty " to her juvenile readers , journalist Nancy Gilson observed . Instead , she conveys how " confusing and unanswerable " morality is using main character Marty 's ethical predicaments and plot twists . To harbor Shiloh from the antagonist Judd and his principled parents , Marty must steal food and tell falsehoods . His dishonest actions serve as a contrast to his conscientious persona and his benevolent rescuing of the dog . Every night , Marty prays , " Jesus ... which do you want me to do ? Be one hundred percent honest and carry that dog back to Judd so that one of your creatures can be kicked and starved all over again , or keep him here and fatten him up to glorify your creation ? " 
