Review: Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie is one of my favourite books of all time. Opal lives in a trailer park with her daddy, the preacher. He looks after the Poor Unfortunates in the world. As luck would have it, Opal finds a Poor Unfortunate of her own to care for in the form of a rather large stray dog that seems to understand everything she says. So begins Opal’s journey in caring for Winn Dixie. But first she has to convince her daddy that they should keep him.

Opal’s voice is down to earth, matter of fact and irresistible. In the years since I read Because of Winn Dixie for the first time, I have never forgotten the way she likened her daddy to a tortoise. With a minimum of words, Kate Di Camillo paints vivid three-dimensional portraits of characters, each of whom found a place in my heart. I expect it is almost impossible not to fall in love with Opal, a little girl who doesn’t understand why her mummy went away; a little girl with a heart that is big enough to fit everyone she meets, even if she doesn’t think so at first.

While the preacher gradually keeps his promise to tell Opal ten things about her absent mother, Opal is busy learning mountains of heart warming wordly wisdom through the people she meets. Because of Winn Dixie is a keeper: one that I still look forward to reading again and again.

Title: Because of Winn Dixie
Author: Kate Di Camillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press, $11.99
Publication Date: 2000
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780763616052
For ages: 9+
Type: Junior Fiction