Book Title: Because of Winn-Dixie
Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright Date: 2000
Selection Choice: #5
Brief Annotation: Ten-year-old India Opal moves to Naomi,
Florida with her father and befriends an old, ugly stray dog. She gives him the name, Winn-Dixie because
they meet in a super market. There is
something special about Winn-Dixie: he loves to smile, and with the dog at her
side, Opal sets out to meet new friends.
Your rating: 5 out of
5. This book is enchanting, humorous and extremely well-written. I would recommend it to anyone, no matter
what age.
Readers who will like this book: Readers who love dogs,
children as main characters, compassionate characters who like to help others
and who aren’t afraid to stick up for themselves.
Question to ask about this book before reading: What does it
mean to feel melancholy?
Question to ask about this book while reading: Which two characters do you think help Opal feel
less lonely? Find three specific reasons for each character.
Question to ask about this book after reading : If you could
choose a special character to come into your life to help you make friends, who or what would that special character be and why?
1.
Interest level: 3-5
2.
Grade Level: 4.1
Awards: A Newberry Honor book, 2011. A Book Sense Book of
the Year, A New York Times Bestseller, An ALA Notable Children’s book.
I love your questions about this book, Paula. Your focus on words like melancholy and lonely address big themes--always a hard concept to teach kids because the idea of a single theme is slippery. This book could be about family, friendship, risk . . . and loneliness in the sense that India has to address that feeling on so many levels.
ReplyDeleteKate DiCamillo is my literary hero. I got to hear her do a reading at Wild Rumpus a few years ago. It was a Saturday morning and we had to rush to get out of the house. My hair was a hot mess and I was self-conscious because I knew I'd see other parent-friends who could potentially be horrified seeing me in all my natural curliness.
Anyway . . I swear she was my hero before that, but when I approached her with my daughter to get an autograph, she said, "I love your hair. It's awesome." Well, right then and there she sealed my adoration.
On another note, Newbery is spelled with one "r". If you want to be a children's lit "insider", you'll want to have that little tidbit in your back pocket.
Thanks for the 'heads up' about Newbery. Probably should change my most recent post. I love Kate DiCamillo as well. I'd love to pick her brain, find out what inspires her as a writer, and share a joke...I think we share a sense of humor. Thanks for your supportive comments, and I too think you have great curly hair!
ReplyDelete