One summer's day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries - and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It's because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it's because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie.

one of my favorite books growing up, highly recommend for young readers. ( )

This is a cute coming of age story I found on HOOPLA while looking for something to read directly before bedtime. There are themes of loss, friendship, forgiveness and empathy that might resonate with children. I found the characters to be rather simplistic though and the story a bit too sappy.

Overall Rating: 3.5 stars
Original Publication Date: 2000 ( )

It was excited when Winn-Dixie caught the mouse. That was neat. I liked that they were in Florida and when she got Winn-Dixie. ( )

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, is a chapter book for 4th and 5th grade readers. Opal has had a rough time for a little girl. Her mother abandoned Opal and her dad, and then her dad, a preacher, uprooted Opal and moved to Florida. Opal misses her old friends and has a hard time making new ones. That begins to change when she brings a rather ugly stray dog home from a shopping trip to the Winn-Dixie. ( )