A Favorite Classroom Read: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
One of my favorite books to read with students is Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. It’s a heartwarming story about a young girl named Opal who moves to a new town and ends up adopting a dog she finds in a grocery store. The bond they build and the way that dog helps her connect with people in her community is just beautiful. I love how the story touches on big themes like friendship, understanding others, and dealing with change—all things our kids face too, especially during these growing years. This book is perfect for my middle-grade students (grades 4–6) because it opens up real conversations about emotions, relationships, and building confidence. I usually like to read this with the class when we’re starting a unit on character development or exploring narrative writing. It helps the students see how authors build emotional connections with readers, and it also gives them space to reflect on their own lives. I highly encourage parents to read Because of Winn-Dixie to...