India Opal Buloni
has recently moved to Naomi, Florida with her father so that he can take over
the Open Arms Baptist Church of Naomi. She is known to everyone as Opal and she
refers to her father throughout the book as "the preacher" since she
says that all she’s ever seen him do.  Opal’s life changes forever the night
she finds a stray dog that she names Winn-Dixie.  She convinces the preacher to
let her keep the dog, who is more than willing to show his teeth with a smile
when the situation calls for it.

            Opal’s mother has
left her and her father which causes Opal to question herself and her father.
Why would a mother leave her child? Did Opal do something to cause this? Did
her quiet father drive her away?  These questions eat away at Opal and the
preacher does not offer any answers right away.

            Making friends in
Naomi, FL is not easy but with the help of Winn-Dixie it is becoming easier.
She makes friends with an odd cast of characters that include the town witch,
Gloria Dump; old librarian, Miss Franny Block; the town outcast, Otis; two
trouble-making boys in the Dewberry’s; an inquisitive five year-old Sweetie Pie
Thomas and hard to like Amanda Wilkinson.  Each of these characters have their
own secret that allows reader to see why they are reluctant to make friends.

            All of the
characters are orphans in their own particular way.  They do not have people to
lean on and what they find in Opal is someone who is going to be their friend
no matter what they’re secret is.  Winn-Dixie has a secret that nobody will
ever know but everyone opens their heart to him without question.  Without
saying a word, he is the driving force behind these people coming together.

            The author allows
each character to gradually tell their own story throughout the book.  As a
reader you are taken through Naomi by Opal and introduced to these odd
characters and are able to see what she sees in them.  Opal learns many things
from each of these people but the one that stands out is to not believe
everything you hear about someone. Forming your own opinion based on your own
interactions with someone is the only way to make friends.  Winn-Dixie taught
her this their first night together. The author also allows Opal to learn to
let go and stop seeking approval. The author’s use of analogies creates
wonderful images for the reader that allows them to feel like the are in Gloria
Dump’s garden with Opal.

© 2005 Amy Ridley