Because of Winn Dixie

By Katie DiCamillo

No major awards

 

 

In Because of Winn Dixie, main character Opal Buloni moves to a new town with her dad. Because Opal is new, she doesn't know any one, where anything is, or anything about her new town, all she knows is that she's lonely. One day when Opal is at the local Winn Dixie, she see's an orphaned dog and decides to adopt it. Opal names the dog Winn Dixie because she feels it's the most fitting (I agree). Winn Dixie helps Opal discover her new town and leads her to new people, helping Opal to create friendships and relationships with those around her, eventually falling in love with her new home. 

I loved this book because it is a childhood favorite. I think it is appropriate for children in grades ranging from third to sixth, and is a book that will last with them forever. Though I wouldn't use this book for a whole group lesson, I could see myself using it as a book to read a chapter of each day or afternoon as a reward for children. I would also use this in my classroom library.