2015 Book Challenge #9

Because of Winn-Dixie.  One summer Opal and her father, the preacher, move to Naomi, Florida. opal hates this new town and she finds it hard to make friends. Until one day, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie the supermarket and a big, ugly, stray dog with a sense of humor and a incredible smile comes into Winn-Dixie and tackles the shop keeper. The shop workers are about to call the pond when Opal rushes in and lies about the dog being hers. To try to prove it Opal names the dog Winn-Dixie and leaves with her head held high.  Because of Winn-Dixie, the preacher tells Opal ten things about her absent mother, one for each year Opal has been alive. Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends, and thinking about her mother (who ran away when Opal was 3). Can Opal live happy in this town after all just Because of Winn-Dixie?

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