DATE: Friday, October 3, 1997               TAG: 9710020262

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   44 lines

READ ALOUD WITH ``SHILOH," A GOOD BOO ABOUT A GOOD DOG (AND MAYBE WIN A PRIZE!)

``The day Shiloh come, we're having us a big Sunday dinner. Dara Lynn's dipping her bread in her glass of cold tea, the way she likes, and Becky pushes her beans up over the edge of her plate in her rush to get 'em down.''

Dinner at the White House, you ask? Nope. We're not talking erstwhile Arkansans here.

We're talking West Virginians, characters in ``Shiloh,'' a beloved boy-meets-dog-and-deals-with-his-cruel-owner novel by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. It's a classic, if a book published in 1991 can be deemed one, and the quote above is the opening.

Starting Tuesday, it'll be printed in The Pilot's Daily Break section. One chapter at a time, on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 25.

Yes, ``Shiloh'' is a ``children's novel.'' You may have read it yourself.

But put your ``Scarlet Letter'' and ``Moby Dick'' aside for a moment and you'll find that ``Shiloh'' is still a good read, no matter what your age. Here's an excuse, if you need one: Read it together with a younger sibling before you head off for college and leave him or her in the dust.

Not sold? Here's another reason to check out ``Shiloh'': tangible rewards. Each Tuesday and Thursday we'll have a couple of questions about the story that you can answer via the Pilot's Infoline phone service. Each day, one correct respondent will win a $25 gift certificate for a local mall. Students in many schools' Accelerated Reader programs can earn points by reading ``Shiloh'' as well.

We've even put together a special guide for teachers, parents and any big brothers and sisters who might want it. Teachers may call the Newspapers in Education program at 446-2447 or 446-2439. The guide is also available during business hours at Pilot offices in Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina. (We can't mail them, so if you want one, you'll need to see us in person.)

Remember: ``Shiloh.'' A good book about a good dog. Read it for fun, and maybe for profit. Starting Tuesday in The Daily Break. ILLUSTRATION: JANET SHAUGHNESSY

The Virginian-Pilot

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