Because of Winn-Dixie

<b>The #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestseller and beloved classic includes an afterword from the author and an introduction by Ann Patchett.</b> <p/>One summer's day ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries--and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It's because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it's because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother who left when Opal was three. In fact as Opal admits just about <i>everything</i> that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie. <br>This book is (I hope) a hymn of praise to dogs friendship and the South Kate DiCamillo said of her best-selling debut novel which has been awarded a Newbery Honor translated into nearly thirty languages and turned into a major motion picture. The story of a preacher's daughter named Opal whose life is transformed by a scruffy dog named Winn-Dixie continues to touch the hearts of readers of all ages.