Because of Winn Dixie

I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I feel like it would be challenging for 3/4th graders but at the same time, anyone can learn from it. That is what I enjoyed the most about the book, the lessons learned. I actually found myself writing down quotes from the book like, "There ain't no way you can hold onto something that wants to go...You can only love what you got while you got it." This quote, along with many others help make "Because of Winn Dixie" personal and relevant to me.

I really enjoyed seeing how Opal developed throughout the story. It was as if once she found Winn Dixie, she found courage. Winn Dixie gave her the courage to talk to "preacher" (later referred to as "Daddy") about her Mama. It gave her courage to stand up to the Dewberry's, run through "the witch's" yard, talk to Amanda, and become friends with Otis. Winn Dixie helped Opal do things that she wouldn't normally do.

I believe Winn Dixie was the main character of this story, because if it wasn't for her then there would be no story. It would just be Opal, stuck in a small town with her preacher father. Winn Dixie made this story come alive. He added humor (catching and not killing the mouse.) He added suspense (hiding during the storm at the party.) Winn Dixie also added so much more. He gave Opal something to look forward to, relate to, and take care of. Through Winn Dixie, Opal was allowed to be kid, make friends, and learn things she would have never known before.

One of my favorite lessons I learned from this book was being reminded not to judge. I love how Ms. Dump put it, "you can't always judge people by the things they done. You got to judge them by what they are doing now." I feel like in today's society we get so caught up in judging others by their pasts. Opal learned a great lesson here, for Otis and Gloria were both amazing people, despite mistakes that were made. I feel like this book could be used in the classroom in so many ways. First off, I think this would be a great read-aloud book. DiCamillo stops chapters in spots that are perfect cliff-hangers. I would also enjoy seeing students write stories about their own "Winn-Dixie's." Students could also make a "list of ten things" like Opal did with her mom, near the beginning of the book. Then, at the end of the book they would learn that that list does not merely encompass all that they are. This book could also be tied into the Civil War, since that is what created the idea for the Littmus Lozenge. Also, vocabulary could be taught closely with this book. For example, "melancholy." (On a side note, I have also thought that word had a hint of beauty and grace to it as well.)

This is just a great book. I only wish there were more than one!

-jeana