Shiloh, Newbery Winner 1992

Is there any more quintessential American story than that of a boy and his dog? This little book follows a precedent set by beloved classics including Sounder, Old Yeller, and Where the Red Fern Grows. But the story is not so predictable that one could guess the entire outcome straight from the get-go. Unless you've seen the very popular movie, I never have (not being much of a 'dog person'), except maybe in bits or pieces.
Did I cry? No, but I'm heartless a tough nut to crack, so take that with a grain of salt. I did feel that this book did an excellent job of introducing the moral grey area to a young audience. The struggle the boy faces and the decisions he has to make are a great introduction to the fact that sometimes there is no perfectly right or perfectly wrong choice. Does he keep the dog or give it back to its abusive, but legal, owner?
The book wraps up fairly nicely... but I see that there are a couple sequels. I'm not sure if they address some unseen plot hole or are merely the continuing adventures but I don't think that they were absolutely necessary.