Because of Winn-Dixie was a fantastic book. I enjoyed reading it very much. Kate DiCamillo did a great job of putting life lessons into a children’s book that all ages could relate to. India Opal Buloni was a very sweet, strong, and smart character. Her love for the stray dog she rescued from Winn-Dixie and everything that dog did for her was very touching. It made me realize just how special a relationship between a person and their pet can be. Opal was lonely and felt she had really no one and Winn-Dixie was able to fill the empty spot she had. I was very sad every time Opal mentioned her mother and how much she wished she would come back to her. No child should have to face something like that. But there are plenty that do and Kate DiCamillo made it possible for children to relate to loosing a parent whether it be from death or them leaving and how a child might feel when that happens. DiCamillo even wrote about the loss of a sibling. I was so sad to read about why Amanda Wilkinson was always pinch-faced. Even though Opal was only ten years old, she acted as if she were older and extremely mature the way she handled everything that came her way. All of the characters added so much to the story line. I thought it was funny how Opal always called her dad, preacher. I liked that Opal was friends with Gloria, Miss Franny, and Otis who were very much older then her. My favorite lesson from Because of Winn-Dixie was about not holding on to something that wants to go; you can only love what you got while you got it. That lesson not only applies to younger children but it applies to adults too. In the end, I wanted to cry at the thought of Opal loosing Winn-Dixie and the thought of how much she has already had to go through. Thankfully everything turned out alright in the end. As a classroom teacher, I will definitely read this book to my children.