How long is the book because of winn dixie

But thank you most of all for friends. We appreciate the complicated and wonderful gifts you give us in each other. And we appreciate the task you put down before us, of loving each other the best we can, even as you love us. You got to judge them by what they are doing now. Opal learns, with help from her unusual dog and some caring adults, to look for the good in others. She learns to try to understand rather than judge.

Winn-Dixie is named after the supermarket where Opal found him. So, the brand name is used throughout the book, but it's almost exclusively in reference to the dog, not the store. The Preacher reveals to Opal that Opal's mother used to drink beer, whiskey, and wine, and "Sometimes she couldn't stop drinking. Parents need to know that Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo 's lovely novel about year-old Opal and the stray dog that changes her life, is a charming story full of quirky characters and sweet friendships.

There's a melancholy veil over Opal's story, because her mother abandoned her, but that also helps her to feel empathy for friends who have experienced loss and sorrow.

Whiskey, beer, and wine are mentioned because Opal's mother used to drink to excess. Gloria Dump used to drink as well -- the empties hanging from trees in her backyard represent past transgressions, including drinking -- but that's in the past and predates the time of this story.

Parents should also note that the town librarian, Miss Franny, tells Opal that the Civil War was fought over slavery and "states' rights" and recommends that Opal read Gone with the Wind , a book that perpetuates racist stereotypes. On the whole, however, this novel is a heartwarming story about outcasts who find solace in friendship, and it will make every lonely kid want a dog. It was made into a film in Add your rating See all 15 parent reviews.

Add your rating See all 60 kid reviews. Opal has just moved to the small town of Naomi, Florida, with her father, a preacher who "reminded me of a turtle hiding inside its shell. One day at the supermarket, she meets a stray dog whose fur looks "like a big piece of old brown carpet that had been left out in the rain. The store manager says he's going to call the pound, so Opal saves him, telling the manager that the dog is hers and his name is Winn-Dixie.

Winn-Dixie's adorable, silly behavior --his friendliness, his funny sneeze-smile, and the way he howls whenever he's left alone -- endears him to new friends.

As Opal gets to know her new neighbors, she learns that many of them have sorrows of their own, and she takes a collection of wallflowers into her heart: the ex-con who runs the pet shop; a blind old woman who's rumored to be a witch; an elderly librarian with stories to share; a pinched-faced girl who acts superior to Opa;, and a few more children who need friends just as much as Opal does.

Kate DiCamillo's lovely, short novel is full of charming, quirky characters and beautiful life lessons. Winn-Dixie becomes Opal's true friend and her reason for being. He's afraid to be alone, and so is Opal, but now they have each other, and the goofy dog helps the little girl make new friends. Readers of Because of Winn-Dixie will see how much Opal's life improves when she approaches people with an open mind and an open heart, and they'll see how much comfort she finds in realizing that she's not the only one living with sorrow.

Most important, all of these feelings are couched in an amusing story with a wonderful cast of misfits. Families can talk about first impressions in Because of Winn-Dixie. What does Opal learn about looking beyond the obvious? How do Opal's opinions of the new people in her life change through the course of the story?

What makes Winn Dixie special? How does he compare with dogs in other stories you've read or watched? Why do you think stories about beloved dogs are so popular? How does Opal's friendship with Winn-Dixie change her other relationships? If you have a pet, do you consider your pet a friend?

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support. ISBN What genre is Winn Dixie? Children's literature Young adult fiction. Why was Winn Dixie banned? What grade level is Winn Dixie? A big, ugly, suffering dog with a sterling sense of humor. A dog she names Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, the preacher tells Opal ten things about her absent mother, one for each year Opal has been alive.

By Kate DiCamillo. Does Winn Dixie die in the book? Because she has the dog, she gets to meet more people and gets to be less lonely. She also is able to start talking to her father about her mother and gets to feel like she knows her mom a bit. Her mom does not come back. Winn-Dixie does not die. Is Winn Dixie a boy or girl? India Opal Buloni is the year-old daughter of a preacher, and has recently moved into a Florida trailer park with her father, after her mother left them.

While in a Winn-Dixie supermarket, she finds a stray dog, and not wanting him to be sent to the pound, claims he is hers, and that his name is "Winn-Dixie". How many Winn Dixie stores are left? The company has had its present name since and traces its roots back to However, one of the things we particularly like about the movie was the sense of place and time it creates.

While a few critics found the movie cloying and trite, the bulk of the reviews matched my perception of the movie as very good and gave it three to four stars and cited it as touching and funny. We agree.

If you have children 8 to 12, encourage them to read the book and watch the movie. You might also do the same.

Candlewick Press, ISBN: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email.