Because of Winn-Dixie - Kate DiCamillo

Because of Winn Dixie is the story of Opal and her father as they begin their new life in Florida.  Opal rescues a dog named Winn Dixie, who provides her with connections to her community and helps her to make peace with her past.  I really loved the character of Opal and felt that she was very relatable.  She had a different home life with a single father and felt that she had no friends.  I rooted for her throughout the book.  There are many diverse characters within Winn Dixie.  I think this book would be perfect to study characterization and character traits.  This text would be appropriate for grades 3-5.