Because of Winn Dixie
Author: Kate Dicamillo
Publisher: Candlewick
Year of Publication: 2000
Genre: Fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Reviews rating: 2 and Kirkus Starred Review
Summary: This book is about a young girl named Opal. Her mother abandoned her and her father and her moved to Florida one summer. She finds a stray dog in a grocery store that helps her make new friends and give her a summer she will never forget.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Hornbook gave this book a review of 2. Kirkus also gave this a starred review. The reviewers really liked that the author took this book beyond a simple story about a girl who adopted a dog. They liked that the author wrote a sweet, heartwarming story that shows the importance of friendship and community.
Review by Kitty Anthony: This a heartwarming story about a girl who, with the help of a stray dog, makes new friends and has a summer she will always remember. The author gives wonderful descriptions in the book to help the readers imagine the scenes in their heads. Although there are no illustrations, the amount of detailed text makes up for it. This is a wonderful story about friendship, love and hope. This book is a true joy to read.
This book would be useful when teaching… This would be a good book to read to the class over a couple of weeks, since this book may be above the students' reading level. This would also be a good book to read to students close to the beginning of the school year. This book will teach students about making friends and how good things can come from the unexpected. It can also teach students not to judge things by just their appearance.
Publisher: Candlewick
Year of Publication: 2000
Genre: Fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Reviews rating: 2 and Kirkus Starred Review
Summary: This book is about a young girl named Opal. Her mother abandoned her and her father and her moved to Florida one summer. She finds a stray dog in a grocery store that helps her make new friends and give her a summer she will never forget.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Hornbook gave this book a review of 2. Kirkus also gave this a starred review. The reviewers really liked that the author took this book beyond a simple story about a girl who adopted a dog. They liked that the author wrote a sweet, heartwarming story that shows the importance of friendship and community.
Review by Kitty Anthony: This a heartwarming story about a girl who, with the help of a stray dog, makes new friends and has a summer she will always remember. The author gives wonderful descriptions in the book to help the readers imagine the scenes in their heads. Although there are no illustrations, the amount of detailed text makes up for it. This is a wonderful story about friendship, love and hope. This book is a true joy to read.
This book would be useful when teaching… This would be a good book to read to the class over a couple of weeks, since this book may be above the students' reading level. This would also be a good book to read to students close to the beginning of the school year. This book will teach students about making friends and how good things can come from the unexpected. It can also teach students not to judge things by just their appearance.