Because of Winn-Dixie (Movie Tie-In) | Kate Dicamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie (Movie Tie-In) | Kate Dicamillo | Because of Winn Dixie

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Because of Winn-Di...

	Because of Winn-Dixie (Movie Tie-In) Kate Dicamillo Candlewick, 2004 - 192 pages average customer review:based on 742 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Kate DiCamillo's beloved, best-selling story is now one of the biggest family movie events of 2005--celebrate with this irresistible movie tie-in!
One summer day, Opal goes into a supermarket and comes out with a scraggly dog that she names Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, her preacher father finally tells her ten things about her absentee mother, and Opal makes lots of unusual friends in her quirky Florida town. And because of Winn-Dixie, Opal grows to learn that friendship -- and forgiveness -- can sneak up on you like a sudden storm. Now available in a delightful tie-in edition, here is the original Newbery Honor-winning book that inspired the major motion picture.
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BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE film artwork copyright © 2005 by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Incredible Winn-Dixie

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.

Because of Winn Dixie

This is an excellent book to be read to prereaders and for early readers on up to adults. Ms Dicamillo has another book 'The Tales of Desperaux' that is fantastic and will be a full length animated feature motion picture being released on December 19th.

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Newberry Honor winner deserves a look

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.

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delightful!

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

how a stray dog wins friends and influeces people

Name your dog Albertsons because you found him there?
A lonely little girl finds a stray dog who can smile.
This preacher's daughter has been to India ( was named after it), but lost her mother very early.
Sadness and loneliness give way to new friends and
good times as Winn-Dixie wins friends her in the Florida summer.
The book is well written and a heart string plucker.
Most children and grandparents should enjoy the stories here.

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