I WANTED THE MOM TO COME BACK! I was kind of disappointed...but I'm one of those people who only likes something with a perfect ending! One of the other things I didn't like was that Opal seemed too mature for her age. The way she thought about situations and about the problems she encountered. I'm sure this is because it wasn't actually written by a young child.
Overall, I thought it was a good book. It's a good book that can teach children how to see the good in people, and how to solve different problems. It's so common in today's society that mom's/dad's leave the house and children do not know how to deal with this at such a young age. Some children also have to deal with moving from town to town and making new friends all the time. This book goes against the stereotypical "perfect" book that I used to read when I was a kid. By this I mean, mom and dad, living in a middle class society, having tons of friends, and just playing all the time.
I would recommend this book to students around the age of 10. Now off to see the movie!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Chapters 21-26
This was the ending section of the book. It started off with setting up the party. I thought it was so cute how Sweetie Pie Thomas brought all those pictures to decorate the trees. You can tell she really wants a dog of her own!
When it started to rain, I started thinking that Winn Dixie was going to run off. Before they even mentioned it in the book. I really liked this quote from Gloria on page 159, "There ain't no way you can hold on to something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it." I love love love this quote! If I only knew a bunch of old people that were this wise, I'd probably look at the world so much differently. I think there needs to be a course taught at Texas State by senior citizens that teaches students how to deal with issues. I mean, they've been through it all right?! I may do that when I'm old...I'll keep you posted.
When Opal was looking for Winn Dixie she started thinking of the ten things she loved about him. This showed the reader that she really cared for this dog, as a friend and best friend. This part was really sad. I thought it was really nice of her dad to keep looking for Winn Dixie with her in the rain no less! My family probably wouldn't do that with me. Blah!
I was so excited when they finally found Winn Dixie. I know that feeling when a pet runs off and thinking of all the bad things that could be happening to them. It's horrible! Not sure if I'm ready for kids... When she finds Winn Dixie she mentions how her heart fills up with love. She starts "talking" to her mom and tells her that she doesn't think about her as much. Opal also remembers her tree she planted a while back and although it's not big, it's getting bigger. This symbolizes Opal herself and how she has grown as a person.
When it started to rain, I started thinking that Winn Dixie was going to run off. Before they even mentioned it in the book. I really liked this quote from Gloria on page 159, "There ain't no way you can hold on to something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it." I love love love this quote! If I only knew a bunch of old people that were this wise, I'd probably look at the world so much differently. I think there needs to be a course taught at Texas State by senior citizens that teaches students how to deal with issues. I mean, they've been through it all right?! I may do that when I'm old...I'll keep you posted.
When Opal was looking for Winn Dixie she started thinking of the ten things she loved about him. This showed the reader that she really cared for this dog, as a friend and best friend. This part was really sad. I thought it was really nice of her dad to keep looking for Winn Dixie with her in the rain no less! My family probably wouldn't do that with me. Blah!
I was so excited when they finally found Winn Dixie. I know that feeling when a pet runs off and thinking of all the bad things that could be happening to them. It's horrible! Not sure if I'm ready for kids... When she finds Winn Dixie she mentions how her heart fills up with love. She starts "talking" to her mom and tells her that she doesn't think about her as much. Opal also remembers her tree she planted a while back and although it's not big, it's getting bigger. This symbolizes Opal herself and how she has grown as a person.
Chapters 13-20
I think a lot happened in this section of the book. This has to be my favorite portion of the book so far. One of the coolest parts of chapter 13 was when Franny told Opal the story about the Littmus Lozenge. I thought this was a really touching story and it showed dedication to how if you really try at something, it just might happen. When the girls tried the lozenge, Amanda mentioned that it made her miss Carson. This also made me wonder...who is Carson? I wonder if there's even a candy that can make you feel all these emotions? If so, I think I'd rather eat some chocolate...
Opal later finds out that Carson was Amanda's little brother. I like how Opal cares for others and no matter how they have treated her, she manages to see the good in them and forgive them. Opal also has the most incredible outlook on life at such a young age! For example, she says, "I lay there and thought how life was like a Littmus Lozenge, how the sweet and sad were all mixed up together and how it was hard to seperate them out." pg. 126. I don't even really look at life like that. Crazy...
While reading to Gloria, Opal decided she wants to plan a party. I think that was such a cool idea! She always seems to be that outgoing spirit that lights up the room. She is so innocent and always looks for the good in people or how she can bring out the good in them. I like her!
Opal later finds out that Carson was Amanda's little brother. I like how Opal cares for others and no matter how they have treated her, she manages to see the good in them and forgive them. Opal also has the most incredible outlook on life at such a young age! For example, she says, "I lay there and thought how life was like a Littmus Lozenge, how the sweet and sad were all mixed up together and how it was hard to seperate them out." pg. 126. I don't even really look at life like that. Crazy...
While reading to Gloria, Opal decided she wants to plan a party. I think that was such a cool idea! She always seems to be that outgoing spirit that lights up the room. She is so innocent and always looks for the good in people or how she can bring out the good in them. I like her!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Chapters 7-12
So, the last thing that happened was Opal reading the top ten things about her mother over and over. This made me sad and in this story I can see how lonely Opal is for her mother. In chapter seven, Miss Franny told her eventful bear story. I thought this story was so funny. I can just imagine in my mind how that whole scenario went. The funniest part is that I can see that bear reading his lovely book in the woods chuckling at the funny parts and crying at the sad. Ha Ha!
In chapter eight, Opal gets Winn Dixie a collar and a leash and Winn Dixie makes friends with Gertrude the talking Parrot. I thought it was really good that she was able to work for the collar and leash by coming by and sweeping the store. This shows Opal some responsibility with having a little job, and gives her a chance to have something to do during the day.
I notice throughout this book how much Opal yearns for her mother. I can just imagine how sad she is. She has the qualities of a strong child, and understands things that seem too complex for her at such a young age. Opal mentions how her mother would've loved Winn Dixie because he is so good at making friends, human and animal. It seems that having Winn Dixie around gives Opal courage for all sorts of things. He gives her courage to express her feelings, to meet new people, and one of the hardest obstacles, talking about her mother to her father.
Opal meets a new friend, Sweetie Pie Thomas who is only six years old, but Opal doesn't seem to mind. Sweetie Pie invites her to her birthday party even though it's not until September. This is when Opal starts to feel less lonely and actually feels as if people like her. This part of the book made me feel happy for Opal because she seems like such a nice kid. It's good that she's actually starting to build up her self-esteem. Opal also mentions on page 60 that "everything that happened this summer happened because of Winn Dixie". I agree and disagree with this statement. I think Winn Dixie is Opals outlet, but most of what has happened is because of Opal herself.
I'm very interested in this Gloria Dump character. I think there's more to her than what I've read so far and I can't wait to find out what it is. I wonder why the kids called her a witch? There has to be a reason, but I can't see her as being anything remotely close to that right now. It was nice that Opal was able to confide in a human about her feelings and about her mother. I also liked when they planted the tree and how they're going to watch it grow. I think this is such a great idea and it gives Opal a good excuse to hang out with Gloria.
So far this book is terrific! I can't seem to put it down. It's such an easy read and I'm tempted to keep going. I wonder what will happen next?
In chapter eight, Opal gets Winn Dixie a collar and a leash and Winn Dixie makes friends with Gertrude the talking Parrot. I thought it was really good that she was able to work for the collar and leash by coming by and sweeping the store. This shows Opal some responsibility with having a little job, and gives her a chance to have something to do during the day.
I notice throughout this book how much Opal yearns for her mother. I can just imagine how sad she is. She has the qualities of a strong child, and understands things that seem too complex for her at such a young age. Opal mentions how her mother would've loved Winn Dixie because he is so good at making friends, human and animal. It seems that having Winn Dixie around gives Opal courage for all sorts of things. He gives her courage to express her feelings, to meet new people, and one of the hardest obstacles, talking about her mother to her father.
Opal meets a new friend, Sweetie Pie Thomas who is only six years old, but Opal doesn't seem to mind. Sweetie Pie invites her to her birthday party even though it's not until September. This is when Opal starts to feel less lonely and actually feels as if people like her. This part of the book made me feel happy for Opal because she seems like such a nice kid. It's good that she's actually starting to build up her self-esteem. Opal also mentions on page 60 that "everything that happened this summer happened because of Winn Dixie". I agree and disagree with this statement. I think Winn Dixie is Opals outlet, but most of what has happened is because of Opal herself.
I'm very interested in this Gloria Dump character. I think there's more to her than what I've read so far and I can't wait to find out what it is. I wonder why the kids called her a witch? There has to be a reason, but I can't see her as being anything remotely close to that right now. It was nice that Opal was able to confide in a human about her feelings and about her mother. I also liked when they planted the tree and how they're going to watch it grow. I think this is such a great idea and it gives Opal a good excuse to hang out with Gloria.
So far this book is terrific! I can't seem to put it down. It's such an easy read and I'm tempted to keep going. I wonder what will happen next?
Friday, October 12, 2007
Chapters 1-6
This book is really easy to read. I am actually getting really into the book and don't want to stop reading it! When Opal takes ownership of the homeless dog, it shows how compassionate she is and that she really cares for animals. I thought that what she did was a noble thing, with claiming the dog even though it had made such a mess in the grocery store. You can tell that Opal is a kind of a "loner" and that she doesn't have many friends. With her father being a preacher I can see how others may not want to be too close to her...they might assume that she will lecture them for things that they do that are considered "bad".
I can tell that Opal really misses having a mother figure around because that is really all she talks about with Winn Dixie. That's the cool thing about pets, you can tell them anything and don't have to worry about them judging you. Pets will always be your best friend and you know you will be able to trust them with all of your secrets.
In a way I feel sorry for Opal because it seems that her father is really wrapped up in his work for the church and doesn't give her the attention she needs. This is one of the main reasons I'm glad that her father let her keep the dog. Winn Dixie is a dog that she can tell her secrets to and express her feelings to. This is in a way, a type of outlet for Opal. She discusses topics with Winn Dixie such as her mom, and that is what gave her courage to ask her father about her mom. I think that Winn Dixie is a postitive addition to Opals life and I think they will become closer as I read on.
So far I really like this book and I'm sure it will just get better!
I can tell that Opal really misses having a mother figure around because that is really all she talks about with Winn Dixie. That's the cool thing about pets, you can tell them anything and don't have to worry about them judging you. Pets will always be your best friend and you know you will be able to trust them with all of your secrets.
In a way I feel sorry for Opal because it seems that her father is really wrapped up in his work for the church and doesn't give her the attention she needs. This is one of the main reasons I'm glad that her father let her keep the dog. Winn Dixie is a dog that she can tell her secrets to and express her feelings to. This is in a way, a type of outlet for Opal. She discusses topics with Winn Dixie such as her mom, and that is what gave her courage to ask her father about her mom. I think that Winn Dixie is a postitive addition to Opals life and I think they will become closer as I read on.
So far I really like this book and I'm sure it will just get better!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Introduction
From looking at the title and the cover of this book I'm not sure if I'm going to like it. For one, I'm not too much of a fan of dogs, and two, I'm not really a fan of reading. There are only a select few books I can actually say I've enjoyed reading.
I know there's a movie out based on this book so it has to be somewhat ok.I haven't seen the movie but it's going to be interesting to see if the book is like the movie. I'm hoping this book is a quick and easy read because I can't say that I have hours to spend reading this. I'm excited in a way about this book. Here it goes (deep breath), chapter 1...
I know there's a movie out based on this book so it has to be somewhat ok.I haven't seen the movie but it's going to be interesting to see if the book is like the movie. I'm hoping this book is a quick and easy read because I can't say that I have hours to spend reading this. I'm excited in a way about this book. Here it goes (deep breath), chapter 1...
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