Because of Winn-Dixie

Kate DiCamillo

My sister-in-law (who is ten) picked this up at Borders one day last week, and while she, my wife, and my daughter were off shopping, I picked it up. I had it finished by the time sister-in-law left that evening; it's a very quick read.

Like most people, I guess, I assumed that the book (and the rather successful, if released to mixed reviews, movie based upon it) was about the grocery store chain, and wondered to what depths corporate America wouldn't sink. What a pleasant surprise to find out Winn-Dixie is actually a dog (named after the grocery store chain, so I'm still wondering about corporations and depths, but at least they were half-subtle about it if there's a marketing conspiracy to be had here). The story concerns Opal, a new girl in town, who adopts a stray dog after he gets inside a Winn-Dixie supermarket where she's doing some shopping. The dog, being a naturally affectionate sort, helps her get socialized in her new situation.

It's a simple story, aimed at the 9-12 crowd, and wonderfully written. DiCamillo conveys the characters' emotions without beating us over the head with them, and so crafts a far more powerful tale than most in this genre. Highly recommended.