Book Review: Because of Winn-Dixie (girl, found dog, the South, summer, new friends)

Because of Winn-Dixie, by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo* (Candlewick Press, 2000, 182 pages, $5.99PB)

A new classic, a New York Times Bestseller* and so much more with a movie to boot (see the DVD review here).

Which is better – the book or the movie? I believe it depends on which one you read/see first. That is the best one.

Blu-Ray

And, of course, some movies take liberties with the plot because movies need action while books can use more character thoughts. Some movies mirror the book miraculously close (The Help, To Kill a Mockingbird), as does Because of Winn-Dixie.

A Story to Cherish

“Just about everything that happened to me that summer happened because of Winn-Dixie.” (p. 60) Opal doesn’t need a dog but the dog she finds and names Winn-Dixie needs her. She doesn’t have any friends yet in the new town, so Winn-Dixie listens. Together they make friends and turn the town around ever so slowly.

Her mother left so she asks her father, the preacher, to tell her ten things about her mother. When Winn-Dixie is scared in the storm and runs away, she makes a list of ten things about Winn-Dixie. . . .

Typically Southern

Like To Kill a Mockingbird, Winn-Dixie has the requisite Southern characters – the spinster lady librarian, a small girl named Sweetie Pie, the old lady who lives alone and is called a witch, the bullies in the neighborhood and the stuck-up little rich girl, the misunderstood pet store keeper, the old candy factory, Gone with the Wind, Gertrude the parrot, a drowning, a party with egg salad sandwiches and pickles.

And the requisite Southern plot of growing up.

DiCamillo’s story and style are magical for kids (and for the family). No wonder her books have garnered so many awards.

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Also a Book Sense Best Book of the Year,

a New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing Selection,

a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year,

a Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Winners,

a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and

a Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner

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Caveat: This book was purchased for review.

*Who is Kate DiCamillo?

“Kate DiCamillo is the author of many books for young readers. Her books have been awarded the Newbery Medal (Flora & Ulysses in 2014 and The Tale of Despereaux in 2004); the Newbery Honor (Because of Winn-Dixie, 2001), the Boston Globe Horn Book Award (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, 2006), and the Theodor Geisel Medal and honor (Bink and Gollie, co-author Alison McGhee, 2011; Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, 2007). She is a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Emerita, appointed by the Library of Congress.” (https://www.katedicamillo.com/press.html)