Thursday, December 3, 2020

#tbt: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo



Happy Thursday! #tbt celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of my favorite books! It was twenty years ago this past Tuesday that Kate DiCamillo's debut, Because of Winn-Dixie was published! 

Motherless Opal Buloni moves to a trailer park in Naomi, Florida with her father, The Preacher. Opal spies a dog tearing up and down the aisles of the Winn-Dixie supermarket wrecking things and causing mayhem. On impulse, she claims the dog is hers and takes him home. She names him Winn-Dixie; the two form a strong bond and Winn-Dixie helps Opal to settle in to her new home and meet new friends, many of whom are older members of the community.

Because of Winn-Dixie was named a Newbery Honor (not bad for a debut), and received the Josette Frank Award as well as the Twain Award. The NEA put it on its list of 100 Top Books for Children and it won numerous State Reading Awards. It certainly is a favorite at TMS. It was adapted for film in 2007.

If you love character-driven stories that have a leisurely pace and tug at the heartstrings, Because of Winn-Dixie is the book for you. I am so happy this book is in the world. I think I saw that there is an anniversary edition available, but haven't been able to find it yet. 


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