Search This Blog

2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


30 / 30 books. 100% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (7)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (1)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (3)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (2)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (8)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (2)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (2)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.* (2)

International:
- Australia (2)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (1)
- England (20)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- India (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (1)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)

My Progress:


51 / 51 states. 100% done!

2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


44 / 50 books. 88% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


36 / 50 books. 72% done!

Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

My Progress:


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

My Progress:


50 / 52 books. 96% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

My Progress:


35 / 40 books. 88% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


17 / 40 books. 43% done!

2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

My Progress:


21 / 25 books. 84% done!

2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

My Progress


17 / 26.2 miles (3rd lap). 65% done!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

My Progress


38 / 100 books. 38% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

My Progress:


91 / 104 books. 88% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

My Progress


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

My Progress


124 / 165 books. 75% done!

The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

My Progress:


76 / 100 names. 76% done!
Thursday, October 29, 2015

DiCamillo's Heartwarming Winn-Dixie A Sweet, Simple Tale of Friendship

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Opal Buloni has just moved to Naomi, Florida, with her father, a Baptist preacher.  Her mama took off a long time ago and the Preacher, still bitter from the loss, throws himself wholeheartedly into his work.  Lonely, 10-year-old Opal is looking for a friend.  And she finds one in the most unlikely of places—the local Winn-Dixie grocery store.  Her new pal is a dirty, ugly stray dog.  When the Preacher agrees, albeit reluctantly, to let Opal keep him, no one is more surprised—and delighted—than her.

For an animal no one wanted, Winn-Dixie has a way of wagging his way into a person's heart.  Because of him, Opal discovers her new home is full of kind, interesting folks.  The more she reaches out to them, the more her own heart fills with hope and joy.  Maybe she and her father will always have a mom-shaped hole in their lives, but, as Opal learns, it doesn't have to define her.  Because of Winn-Dixie, she realizes that sometimes, you have to make your own happiness.

I'm probably the last person on Earth to read Kate DiCamillo's heart-warming children's story, Because of Winn-Dixie.  The book has received heaps of praise and accolades, including a Newbery Honor Award.  Is it deserving?  Absolutely.  This is a sweet, simple tale that teaches important lessons about acceptance, love, and the fulfillment that comes from helping others, be they human or canine.  DiCamillo said, "The book is (I hope) a hymn of praise to dogs, friendship, and the South."  I couldn't have said it better myself.  

(Readalaikes:  Reminded me of A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord)

Grade:


If this were a movie (and it is!), it would be rated:


for brief, mild language

To the FTC, with love:  I borrowed a well-loved copy of Because of Winn-Dixie from my daughter's personal library.  Thanks, sweetie!

2 comments:

  1. I haven't read this one either so don't feel too bad. I love that you borrowed it from your daughter and that she obviously loves it so much.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have done superb job and really great work on this blog. I am waiting for your next post;Thesis

    ReplyDelete

Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.

P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin


Reading

<i>Reading</i>
Murder is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens

Listening

<i>Listening</i>
The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong



Followin' with Bloglovin'

Follow

Followin' with Feedly

follow us in feedly



Grab my Button!


Blog Design by:


Blog Archive