Because of Winn-Dixie

I haven’t seen the movie yet, but did just finish the book after I heard some rumblings about whether this would be a good book or movie for children in the foster care system to read or see. Based on my experience with the book I have to say, "YES".

I loved this book. It does deal with loss, but it is dealt with in an uplifting way that depicts the characters that are experiencing the loss to move on with their lives. The main character, Opal, was abandoned by her mother at the age of 3 and is thinking more and more about her mother. Opal's father, the preacher, desperately misses his wife and does not to like to talk about her. Winn-Dixie is credited with helping the preacher open up about his wife and with helping Opal make new friends. Perhaps he has been given too much credit? I think Opal finds courage to do more after making friends with such a loving mutt.

Read "Because of Winn-Dixie" with your kids. It's a good one!