Because of Winn-Dixie: (A Beloved Middle-Grade Classic About Friendship, Family, and a Dog That Changes Everything - For Kids Ages 9-12 in Grades 4-7)

The #1 New York Times bestseller and beloved classic includes an afterword from the author.

One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries—and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it’s because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie. “This book is (I hope) a hymn of praise to dogs, friendship, and the South,” Kate DiCamillo said of her best-selling debut novel, which has been awarded a Newbery Honor, translated into nearly thirty languages, and turned into a major motion picture. The story of a preacher’s daughter named Opal whose life is transformed by a scruffy dog named Winn-Dixie continues to touch the hearts of readers of all ages.

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Published Jan 26, 2021

192 pages

Average rating: 8.29

87 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

BookListLinda
Mar 11, 2026
10/10 stars
Steph Boggs
Feb 24, 2026
10/10 stars
This is truly a classic and such a cute and heartfelt book.
dilemmareads
Sep 18, 2025
10/10 stars
My childhood classic! Reread just for fun and wow, this is such a simple yet beautiful story. I am in fact a weird girl with her weird dog
J club25
Oct 09, 2024
It was a very good book opal and the dog have a real bond and the book made my feal like preacher and i new each other
briannafaith5
May 01, 2024
9/10 stars
Really beautiful, sweet story, with beautiful meanings! It paints a beautiful picture with beautiful words!

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