Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

This realistic fiction book was pleasant breakfast-reading for the past week, and such a light, refreshing time of escape from the daily grind! I once had a dog like Winn Dixie. Her name was Sophie, and she was an absolute riot when she pulled back her lips, showed her teeth and smiled. Combined with wiggling all over while she madly wagged her tail her smile usually also resulted in a huge sneeze. Then she would tap dance with delight awaiting her patting on the head. What a fond memory! Winn Dixie certainly did create a community and become the social leader of Naomi, Florida. He really was instrumental in helping Opal adapt to her new home. The friends Opal and Winn Dixie met from all walks of life colored the story with captivating character elements that piqued the reader's interest. Gloria Dump turned out to play the role of wise grandmother to Opal, and the unique relationship that Opal described of her father the preacher made the reader wonder about the closness of Opal's relationship with her father. Opal was making connections and dealing with her sad memories of missing her mother throughout the book. The new friendships forged with Amanda and Gloria Dump seemed to enable Opal to connect with them in a healing way. Gloria was helpful in teaching Opal to accept her foes and to include them in the neighborhood party. Even Otis's prior jail time and desired seclusion from people made Opal feel needed to "pull him out of his shell" and to make him feel accepted in the community. The highlight of the book was finding Winn Dixie after the storm and after the fear of having lost him. Truly the book was titled correctly, because all the wonderful events and friendships started in the book were "Because of Winn Dixie."