This is a heart-warming read with short, quick chapters. Each of the mini-chapters holds a small episode so that the story moves along quickly and enjoyably with every sitting.
Opal, the main character, is an endearing protagonist who asks honest questions about life's difficult situations. Her mother is an alcoholic who has abandoned her and her father, who is a preacher. Though this story is about loss and "letting go"--it is exactly this "letting go" that leads the characters to acceptance and to rediscovering hope.
The other characters are sketched as tongue-in-cheek caricatures: for example her father "the preacher" is often referred to as a "turtle" who "likes to hide in his shell." These characterizations reflect young Opal's impressions of people: "pinched-face Amanda" soon becomes "less pinch-faced" as Opal comes to sympathize with her.
With the help of the dog Winn-Dixie, Opal makes friends with secluded people and draws other characters, who once appeared snobbish or bullied her, into her circle of friends. It's a lesson about people's first impressions as much as it is about finding compassion for them once we get to know them.
There are so many things that I liked about this story, but the main reason why it touched me was that it shows that happiness and sadness can live together. They can be all mixed together and tasting sweet, just like a Littmus Lozenge.
Children will enjoy the caricature-characters, the silly Winn-Dixie, the quick pace of the plot, and of course, the ending.
This book would appeal to readers aged 9-13 for girls, and 9-11 for boys, especially if it is read out loud.
Kate DiCamillo is also the author of The Tale of Desperaux and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
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