Rating: 
Summary: "Because of Winn-Dixie" READ IT!
Review: As my ten-year-old daughter and I were browsing for new realistic fiction children's books to fulfill a school reading assignment, we, by chance, came across "Because of Winn-Dixie," by Kate DiCamillo. The title of the book (and the fact that it was new) influenced our purchase, but it wasn't until my daughter and I read it that we realized what a treasure we had discovered. Both children and adults will be drawn into the story of India Opal Buloni's tenth summer, when she adopts a big, ugly, but affable dog, Winn-Dixie, named after the Florida grocery store where he was found. India Opal, or Opal for short, is a preacher's daughter with a fairly unusual name. Opal has some major life adjustments to make, after moving with her dad to a trailer in a strange, new town. While trying to break through the seemingly impenetrable shell of her introverted father's feelings, she also has to wrestle with her own sadness, disappointment, and curiosity about her alcohol-abusing mother, who deserted the family when Opal was three years old. Winn-Dixie, a magnificent mutt who, among other talents, can smile with his teeth, is the facilitator of a number of new and sometimes unlikely friendships that Opal establishes over the summer, including one with her father. "Because of Winn-Dixie" acknowledges in is characters their shortcomings and sufferings, but the triumph of this book is how it celebrates friendship, forgiveness, tolerance, and new beginnings. (P.S. You might want to have a handkerchief on hand for some parts.)
Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: I opened Kate DiCamillo's book in anticipation of a good read and I was not disappointed. The characters are well-drawn and believable, their voices sure and strong, and I was pulled right into their stories. I *like* India Opal (what a wonderful name!) and Winn Dixie. Everyone should have a couple of friends like these two. A book tht can be read with enjoyment by both adults and children is a treasure. Thank you, Kate.
Rating:
Summary: A great book for all ages
Review: One of the differences in the children's book world is that everyone always asks, "What age is the book good for?" We never ask this of adult books. Here is a book for any age. Anyway, this is a wonderful, warm book about survival and rebuilding. Opal,the young protagonist and her adopted dog, Winn-Dixie, both have to rebuild trust after betrayal. The setting is sultry Florida and the town is Any Small Town in America. The community that Opal discovers and the forgiveness she must extend will captivate all readers to the very end. I would compare this with Dicey's Song and with Clyde Edgerton's prose. I will give this book as a gift to ten year olds and anyone else, of any age, who can read!
Rating:
Summary: This is a great (x 12) book!
Review: My young friend Sofia Helene Jarvis has pronounced "Because of Winn Dixie" to be a great (repeat 12 times) book. From the very first sentence of the book, I was immediately engaged with the charming young protagonist and her dog, Winn Dixie. This book will no doubt become a classic!
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book
Review: This book is the perfect book for a slow summer afternoon. Meet Opal, a ten year old whose mom ran away when she was 4. She lives with her dad, who is a reverand at a church. She is a very lonely girl and then one day when she is at the local grocery store, she takes a stray dog home and names it Winnn-Dixie. She and Winn-Dixie encounter all sorts of people and make lots of new friends. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: Dog lovers read this book
Review: Because of Winn-Dixie
By Kate DiCamillo This book is about a girl named Opal Boloni who's mother left, and is the daughter of the preacher. Opal went to the store to buy macaroni and eggs and came back with a dog. They had just moved and Opal had no friends. Because the preacher let Opal keep the dog, She made new friends.
I like this book because it remained me of when I first moved to my neighborhood. I did not know anybody. Then because of my brother I got to know my neighborhood.
I can recommend this book to students who love dogs. Then they will understand that dogs can help people a-lot.
The author did a good job selecting the front cover because it does not tell you most of the book. It only tells you the book is going to be about a dog and a girl.
Winn-Dixie is a gentle dog. He has a fear of thunderstorms. He was named after the store he was found in.
The genre is realistic fiction. Because it cold happen. Because of the dog she makes new friends.
Rating: 
Summary: A ok
Review: I recommend this book to anyone 13 or older because it's a really good book about friendship. For example, when the pet employ asked her if Winn-Dixie was her pet, Opal said, "He's not a pet he's my best friend." Also I recommend it to any one who loves dogs because Winn-Dixie is in many parts of the story. For example, when Winn-Dixie is in the store making a mess, the manager said that he was going to call the pound. Opal said to the manger," Wait that's my dog. Don't call the pound." She said to protect the dog from going to the pound. In conclusion, if you like a book about friendship and animals, this is the book to read.
Rating:
Summary: Touching and uplifting!
Review: I first heard of "Because of Winn-Dixie" several years ago, when Kate DiCamillo was interviewed on NPR soon after its release. Having lived in FL for many years and being well aware of the Winn-Dixie supermarkets, I suppose the idea of the story and its name intrigued me. I purchased the book some time ago, but as with many other book collectors, I set it aside and didn't get around to reading it till just recently. Although it's written for children, I must say it has appeal for all ages! I was deeply moved by the sweet story, and especially Opal, who someone else expressed my thoughts exactly when they likened her to Scout, from "To Kill a Mockingbird"(my all-time favorite story). She obviously is wise far beyond her years in the way she brings together the diverse personalities and ages of the people she meets in her new home, a small FL town called Naomi. Opal unconditionally loves her funny, quirky mongrel of a dog, and we certainly can't help but love him as well! We should all be so lucky as to someday meet such a gentle spirit as Opal and her Winn-Dixie. My highest recommendations for this touching and very uplifting little gem!
Rating:
Summary: Because of Winn-Dixie
Review: In this book the main Characters is India Opal Buloni, Opal for short. Opal is forced to move to a new town, Naomi, Florida because her dad has a new job as a preacher in the Open Arms Baptist Church. Opal's mother had left her and her dad when Opal was just a baby. So, it was just the two of them. That was until Opal finds a dog and names him Winn-Dixie. Winn Dixie is a special dog. He helps Opal through her lonely times and helps her to meet new friends when she doen't know anyone. She met Otis, a person that works in Gertrude's pet store. He is able to calm all the animals in the store by playing his guitar. Gloria Dump is another person she met and boy, does she like peanut butter. Amanda, is a Pinched faced girl who's brother drowed in a swimming accident. Two boys, Dunlap and Stevie are not very nice and called Gloria a witch. Opal and Gloria had a party for all of their friends. By the end of the story everyone had become close friends with each other and Opal opened up to her dad. She didn't feel lonely with Winn-Dixie, her dad and all of her new friends in her life. Yes, I recommend this book to others.
Rating:
Summary: This is one you have to have
Review: Kate DiCamillo has become my favorite children's author. In both "The Tale of Despereaux" and "Because of Winn Dixie," the reader finds themselves a young child again. As India Opal Buloni strives to make friends in her new town, you feel like you are on the handlebars of her bike, going along for the ride. She is a sweet and loving little girl with tomboyish ways that will thrill both boys and girls. The story has sad parts and oh so happy parts where the love just leaps off the pages. No child should be without a copy of "Because of Winn Dixie" and I know a few adults who could benefit too.
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