Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

I just finished reading Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo. Yes, this novel is a short one geared for younger grades, and therefore, not technically in the YA spectrum. However, it was a wonderful, quick read that I wholeheartedly recommend. Having never read anything by Kate Dicamillo , I was intrigued when I attended a presentation by Mr. John Schu (seriously, he is fabulous, if he is ever anywhere near you, I urge and implore you to attend), where he spread the gospel of Kate Dicamillo.

Image Credit: Kalasnik, M. (2012, August 31). Winn Dixie Milledgeville, GA. Retrieved June 26, 2016, from https://goo.gl/nZbdm0). Winn-Dixie is a grocery store based in the Southeastern United States. 

I went into Because of Winn-Dixie with no preconceived notions about the story. I have never watched the movie, or even heard/discussed this book with anyone whatsoever. To be honest, I was a bit worried, because reading about animals can be incredibly sad, and even traumatic at times.

India Opal, the 10-year-old heroine, has experienced some amount of upheaval in her life, in that her mother has left the family, and her father, the unnamed pastor, moved to join a new congregation in Naomi, Florida. Opal, one of the spunkiest heroines I have read about recently opens this story by stating "My name is India Opal Buloni, and las summer, my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog" (Dicamillo, 2000 p. 8). Magic. This is simply magical.

Image Credit: 2010 AKC Meet the Breeds. (2010, October 27). Retrieved June 26, 2016, from https://goo.gl/WyGzE9. This is a Berger Pichard, the dog breed used in the Becuase of Winn-Dixie movie

Through this magical journey, we find out about Opal's mother, we meet various members of Preacher Buloni's congregation, and most importantly, we can make inferences about the title. I don't want to spoil it, but I think that Opal had an easier time settling into Naomi, Florida Because of Winn-Dixie.

Some other magical quotes are:

Opal and Gloria Dump speaking with each other after discussing Amanda's situation. "Do you think everybody misses somebody? Like I miss my mama?" "Mmmm-hmmm," said Gloria. She closed her eyes, "I believe, sometimes, that the whole world has an aching heart" (Dicamillo, 2000 p. 134).

Preacher Buloni's prayer at the neighborhood party "Dear God, thank you for warm summer nights and candlelight and good food. 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. We pray in Christ's name. Amen" (Dicamillo, 2000 p. 153).

Gloria Dump, speaking to Opal "There ain't no way you can hold on to something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it" (Dicamillo, 2000 p. 159).

I checked this book out from the Oglethorpe County Branch of the Athens Regional Library System. This was my first visit (but it won't be my last) as a patron to this branch. The copy had a beautifully charming inscription that makes me wonder about Riley and Memaw. As I am a book hoarder (Hello, my name is Michelle and I am a book hoarder), I wonder how and why this book was liberated from Riley.

Mr. Schu, this book smelled excellent, I would give it 5/5 noses on the sniff test!! Yes, this was my first Kate Dicamillo, but it will not be my last!!

Hi, Riley--this is an award winning book & the movie will be coming out soon.
Please keep this book as it is a special one from Memaw to you. Love you 1/21/05

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