Because of Winn-Dixie By: Kate Di Camillo

Characters India Opal Buloni-10 year old girl who goes by the name Opal. She is the narrator of the story. She has red hair and freckles. India’s father-she calls him “Preacher” because that is his job Winn-Dixie- a dog Franny Block-an old lady who runs the town library Stevie and Dunlap Dewberry-kids around Opal’s age Amanda Wilkinson-a girl Opal meets at the library Otis-works at the pet store Gloria Dump-an older lady that Opal becomes friends with

setting The story takes place in Naomi, Florida where Opal and her father have just moved. It is summertime. The story takes you to different parts of the town (library, Opal’s house, Gloria’s house)

Chapters 1-5 We learn how Opal found Winn-Dixie. Opal takes Winn-Dixie home with her and her dad says she can keep the dog. We learn that Opal’s mom left when Opal was three and she has not seen or heard from her mother since. Opal asks her father to tell her ten things about her mother. We learn that Winn-Dixie does not like to be left alone so they take him everywhere they go.

Chapters 6-11 Opal tells us about the library where she meets Franny Block. They become good friends and Opal spends a lot of time there. We meet Otis when Opal goes to the pet store. Opal makes a deal with Otis that she will sweep and organize the shelves of the pet store if he will give her a collar and leash for Winn-Dixie. Opal meets Gloria Dump and they become friends as well.

Chapters Opal helps Otis put all of the animals back in their cages. We learn that Otis has been in jail but don’t learn why. Gloria tells Opal to be nice to the Dewberry boys. Miss Franny tells Opal and Amanda about her great grandfather and the Civil War. Opal reads a book to Gloria since she cannot see that well.

Chapters We learn that Amanda has a brother who drowned and that is probably why she looks so sad all of the time. Opal asks Otis why he was in jail and he tells her. Opal decides to throw a party at Gloria’s house and invites everyone she knows. It starts to rain at the party and Opal realizes that Winn- Dixie is gone. Opal and her father go out to find Winn-Dixie and do not so they go back to Gloria’s house. Winn-Dixie had been at Gloria’s house the whole time.