Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Medal: Newbery Award
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grades: 3-6

In the summer, Opal moves to a new town with her father who is a preacher. She finds herself having a hard time dealing with the fact that her mom left her and her dad. While at the store she finds a dog, immediately finds friendship in him, and names him after the place they met ,Winn-Dixie. Her dad allows her to keep him and they begin to go around town together. At first they have trouble because Winn Dixie does not like being alone. As Winn Dixie becomes a healthy dog, their relationship becomes stronger. Because on Winn Dixie, Opal begins to make friends in town, and starts to like where she lives. One day in a thunder storm, Winn Dixie is lost. When she returns home without Winn Dixie she realizes she isn't as sad because she made friends because of him.