Delightful, poignant tale of everyday life through the eyes of a tender and fun youg girl who has a constant companion, her dog.

Sometimes, you may feel sad and lonely, and you need a friend. A book that makes you feel so comfy is what you need. Kate DiCamillo puts her focus on a girl named Opal who needs a friend. Then she gets to explore the world of friendship through a dog named Winn-Dixie. Opal talks to Winn-Dixie and Winn-Dixie listens to Opal. You'll be safe on the journey with Kate DiCamillo. After you read this book, you'll be searching or begging for a dog. No matter what you age is, this book will touch your heart.

Patrick Erker

Title: Because of Winn-Dixie
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Date: 2000
Reading Level: 3.9 (Accelerated Reader)
Number of Pages: 182
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis of plot:

Because of Winn-Dixie is a story about a frustrated young girl, India Opal, who, through a process of reflection and the help of her friends, comes to appreciate her father's unorthodox love and devotion, and in the process, overcome the adversity associated with her mother's absence.
Towards the beginning of the story, our main character is found in a grocery store shopping. She witnesses a crazy scene: a dog is running wild, knocking over food carts and causing a tremendous ruckus. When no one claims ownership of the mischievous dog, India Opal makes an impulsive decision to take responsibility for the dog's actions. Although she is berated by the store owner for this, ultimately she is content with having the dog, which she brings home in hopes of keeping it. Her father, an emotionally detached preacher, allows the dog to stay. It turns out to be one of the best decisions the preacher ever made.
Winn-Dixie becomes India Opal's best friend, going with her everywhere (even into Church!), and listening to her when she is having problems. Winn-Dixie even goes with India Opal into a pet shop, where they befriend an ex-convict, who is transformed from a reclusive musician into a more confident man by the dog and its owner.
Winn-Dixie observes India Opal's other relationships, with classmates and their siblings, always factoring into the relationship dynamic. At the end of the story, India Opal hosts a party with an adult friend of hers, where all of the main characters, including two boys who have treated India Opal poorly, join in the fun, despite the rainy weather. Thunder scares Winn-Dixie under a couch, and he is given up for lost or worse by his owner, resulting in a fit of sobbing. Discovering the hidden dog is the story's most happy moment, and it is around here that India Opal finally refers to "the preacher" with the more affectionate "father."

Negative aspects of the book:

No book is perfect, and Because of Winn-Dixie is no exception. One potential weakness is the book's melancholy tone. While things finish well, this is no fairy tale. The main character has to deal with an absent mother, a detached father, and schoolmates with whom she has trouble relating. In some ways, however, the sad nature of the book gives many opportunities for lessons to be learned.
Because of the book's focus on relationships, occasionally the book lacks action. Students who require constant adventure and action will sometimes be left disappointed. However, the author does pepper in exciting moments, such as the thunderstorm at the end. Additionally, each chapter ends with a cliff-hanger, leaving students hungry for more.

Personal appraisal of the book:

This is a book that I would highly recommend to middle school students. It is one chock-full of life lessons, and will teach students many important ideas that they can use for the rest of their lives. It would be especially relevant for students who have lost someone close to them, like a mother or father. The book shows that a tragic loss must not be someone's undoing. India Opal, though she struggled, ultimately came to appreciate her father's own frustrations. In the end, Winn-Dixie did not save India Opal, but merely provided a canvass on which to paint her memories, dreams, and dreads.
I read this book aloud to my classroom of 30 fifth graders. I am happy to say that they were captivated all the way through, and grew very angry when I decided that I could only read them one chapter. They always wanted more.

Our review is for the book Because of Winn-Dixie. It was it was written by Kate Dicamillo. The genre of the book is Realistic Fiction.
Opal went to the Winn-Dixie shop. When she was there, she saw a dog that trashed the place. Opal claimed that it was her dog and she named it Winn -Dixie. She lived in Naomi Florida. Opal's Mom disappeared and Opal and Winn-Dixie can't find her. Will Opal find her Mom? Read to find out.
The author's message is It's okay to make friends even if you are scared of them. Also never give up no matter what. It is on our class's top 10 list because it's exciting. Also because it is full of emotion.

Because of Winn-Dixie is about a girl named Opal, her full name is India Opal. Her dad is the preacher.Opal finds a dog and names him Winn-Dixie.
Winn-Dixie has pyschological fear of thunder stoms.Winn-Dixie hated being alone. My favorite characters are Winn-Dixie and Opal. Opal got a job at Gertrude's pets. I would recomend this book for other 5th graders,because it is a good book. Close to the end, a storm starts and Winn-Dixie runs away.But they find him under Gloria Dump's chair.