BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE
Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick Press
August 6, 2001
186 pages
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This is a children’s book, geared for 4th and 5 graders. I decided to read it because of a Facebook post by the author. A package was delivered to her house, when she signed for it the driver asked if she was the author of this book. When she said yes, he proceeded to tell her how much impact it left on him as a grade-schooler. The teacher had read it aloud to the class.
There are many life lessons in this story. It teaches acceptance of people, even though they are “different”. It teaches friendship, positivity, curiosity, kindness and much more.
Great characters. Opal is a 10-year-old girl with a dog named Winn Dixie. Best dog, ever! Otis runs a pet store. Gloria is an older lady, the town recluse. The preacher is Opal’s father who misses his wife (she left the family). And so on. Each one has a story with sadness. They all come together in friendship.
Excellent story for adolescents. And adults can still learn something from it. Well written, easy to read. Uplifting.
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