Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie

Kate Dicamillo

Candlewick Press

2000

                    Kate Dicamillo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has written several books for children. These include: Great Joy, as series of Mercy Watson, The Miraculous Journey, of Edward Tulane, The Tale of Despereaux, and The Tiger Rising.

                This book is about a little girl named, India Opal, who finds a dog in a grocery store. She gives him the name Winn-Dixie, after the grocery store. Throughout the book Winn-Dixie does things so India Opal makes more friends. You find out in the story that Winn-Dixie is afraid of thunderstorms and near the end he disappears. While India Opal and her father, the preacher, go to look for him the others (who are at this party India Opal planned) find him hiding under the bed.

             I really enjoyed this book because for me it gave an even greater meaning to the word "friend." I think at times we forget how someone can help us meet new people. I believe this is a very good book to help children to understand how wonderful friends are. This book is perfect for ages 10-12. I think it brings meaning and life to a friendship and this age group need that in my opinion. With this you could teach children that having an animal as a friend is okay.