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Book cover image:
Because
of Winn Dixie takes place in Naomi, Florida where
India Opal Buloni and her father, the Preacher, have just moved to from Watley.
It has been seven years since Opal’s mother left and never came back. Opal says
her father is a turtle because he retreats into his shell and doesn’t come out
to face his problems. Both are lonely and hope for the return of Opal’s mom.
One day the Preacher sends Opal to the grocery store with a grocery list and is
very specific about keeping to the list. While in the produce section, Opal
encounters a dog creating chaos in the
fruits and vegetables section. The dog “smiles” at Opal and she tells the store
manager that the dog belongs to her. The first sign she sees is the grocery
store name so she calls the dog Winn Dixie after the store chain’s name.
In Naomi, Opal and Winn Dixie become
friend with many of the locals who are tortured, lonely souls just like them.
Making friends does not come easy to Opal, but Winn Dixie helps her to befriend
the less fortunate, as the Preacher would urge. Along the way Winn Dixie and
Opal make life a little bit better for the local librarian, Franny Block, who
first thought Winn Dixie was a bear, Gloria Dump, who has a bottle tree in her
backyard to ward off the ghosts of her past, and Otis, the musician, who plays
music for the animals in the pet store. Through out the story, Opal continually
wants to know about her mother and asks the Preacher to tell her ten things
about her mother. He begrudgingly obliges Opal’s request, but the memories are
painful and thought provoking for Opal and the Preacher both. This story is
about life, love, and family, no matter who they are.
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APA Reference of Book:
DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of
Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.
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Impressions:
As the story unfolds, it is apparent
Opal is wise beyond her years, an old soul some would say, but still very
childlike in her approach to life. Her loneliness comes through the pages of
the story in her narrative; and it is so real and heartfelt. The reader is
drawn immediately to listen as Opal utilizes Winn Dixie as her sounding board
and confidant. The ease of the storytelling is what grasps you and keeps you
wanting more. Each new chapter tells someone else’s story as it mixes with Opal
and Winn Dixie, but as I was reading these stories are the tales of every day
life. A mishap at church, a witch in the neighborhood, a dog afraid of
thunderstorms; these are the stories that happen to all of us. The beauty of
this book is that if we think about it we have had similar experiences except
we think of them as being just life.
Opal has a way of making everyday seem inspiring and memorable. What stands out
is how everyone that Opal meets has a tidbit of advice or a nugget of wisdom
that Opal reflects on and treasures. The exchanges between Opal and the
character seem to change the person and Opal to become a better, more moral, or
decent human being. The advice is not blatant or obvious in your face it just
comes across naturally. Gloria Dump, the witch, who is almost blind, tells Opal
to tell her all about herself so that she (Gloria) can see Opal with her heart.
This is how many people see loved ones, but maybe it should be how we all see
others, with our hearts. What is very clear about Opal is how she is basically
a judgment free zone. She doesn’t judge on first impressions mostly and even if
she does she has an open mind to change her opinion. Just like she views
“pinched faced” Amanda after she learns about her life’s tragedy. This book has
life lessons in just about every chapter. Like the Littmus Lozenges that taste
differently to everyone, life depends on our own experiences and sorrows.
Opal’s story left me feeling like there is so much more that we can do as
humans and it is a relatively easy process of friendship and community.
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Professional Review:
Gr 4-6-India Opal Buloni, 10, finds a
big, ugly, funny dog in the produce department of a Winn-Dixie grocery store.
She names him accordingly and takes him home to meet her father, a preacher.
Her daddy has always told her to help those less fortunate, and surely
Winn-Dixie is in need of a friend. Opal needs one, too. Since moving to Naomi,
FL, she has been lonely and has been missing her mother more than usual. When
she asks her father to tell her 10 things about her mother, who left the family
when Opal was three, she learns that they both have red hair, freckles, and
swift running ability. And, like her mother, Opal likes stories. She collects
tales to tell her mother, hoping that she'll have a chance to share them with
her one day. These stories are lovingly offered one after another as rare and
polished gems and are sure to touch readers' hearts. They are told in the voice
of this likable Southern girl as she relates her day-to-day adventures in her
new town with her beloved dog. Do libraries need another girl-and-her-dog
story? Absolutely, if the protagonist is as spirited and endearing as Opal and
the dog as lovable and charming as Winn-Dixie. This well-crafted, realistic,
and heartwarming story will be read and reread as a new favorite deserving a
long-term place on library shelves.
James, H. F. (2000). Because of
Winn-Dixie. School Library Journal, 46(6), 143.
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Library Uses:
In a library setting you could set up a
display of the “Ten Things About Opal’s Mother” for the students to review. Have
a whole group discussion about creating questions using Opal’s mother list to
help learn more about themselves. One question could be, “Do you have a hobby
or something you like to do?” just like Opal’s mother was good at gardening and
making people laugh. As a class think about and list questions or sentence
starters the students could use to come up with their ten things,.
Now pair the students into groups of
two to talk first about “Ten Things about Me.” This could be done as a question
and answer piece or as an interview. Both partners have to write ten things
about themselves. To report out their ten things, make suggestions as to how to
display their list. A powerpoint, diorama, poster of “My Ten Things” or a
mobile are some suggestions for different displays or as a class decide on a
uniform display for all the students to exhibit their work in the library.
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