Realistic Fiction

·      Because of Winn-Dixie written by Kate DiCamillo

o   Suggested Grade Level: 4^th grade. This book is a longer chapter book, almost 200 pages. Therefore, it may not hold the attention of younger students. Also, some of the themes in this book are a little mature, making in more appropriate for grades four and up.

o   Summary: Because of Winn-Dixie is the story of India Opal Buloni, a ten year old whose preacher father has just moved them Naomi, Florida. Opal was feeling lonely in a new town. Not only did she miss her friends, but she missed the mother she never knew. However, all of that loneliness disappears when she finds Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie immediately captures Opals heart, and it isn’t long before he captures the preacher’s heart as well. Along with Winn-Dixie, Opal finds true friends in the town librarian, the town witch, and the town loner. When they decide to all get together, Opal feels as if life couldn’t be better. That is until Winn-Dixie runs away during a storm. Happily, Winn-Dixie is recovered. The story ends with Opal finally letting go of her mother and all of her loneliness, and truly embracing life in Naomi.

o   Classroom skills and strategies:

§  Because of Winn-Dixie can be used to teach the age-old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Several of the characters, particularly Gloria Dump, are judged based on how the live or how they behave. Teachers can use this book to teach students that judging people is wrong.

§  This book can also be used to teach children to look for patterns in speech. For example, Franny Block repeats the phrase “yes ma’am” over and over again.

o   ESOL strategies/applications

§  Role-play: There are situations in Because of Winn-Dixie that could be acted out in the classroom. I think it would be particularly helpful to act out the interactions between Opal and Dunlap and Stevie, and ask the students how the situation could have been better handled.

§  Use students’ experiences: The character of Opal is very relatable. Many students know how it feels to be the new kid in town. Drawing connections to Opal may help the students to comprehend the story on a deeper level.

o   Read aloud: Pages 87-89.

o   Personal opinion: After reading Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, I knew that Kate DiCamillo was going to be one of my favorite authors. Because of Winn-Dixie did not disappoint. I am a dog lover to my core, so I was immediately taken in my Winn-Dixie. I too know how it feels to be new in town, and what its like to find friends in unusual places. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more of Miss DiCamillo’s work.