# Because of Winn-Dixie

**Author:** Kate DiCamillo
**Lexile:** 610L
**Grade range:** Grades 3–5
**Age range:** 8–11
**First published:** 2000
**Page count:** 182
**Genre:** Middle Grade Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9780763644321`
**ISBN-10:** `0763644323`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/because-of-winn-dixie
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni moves to a small Florida town with her preacher father and befriends a stray dog that changes both their lives. DiCamillo's Newbery Honor novel is a 3rd-5th grade staple and Common Core Appendix B exemplar.

## Themes

- loss
- friendship
- mother absence
- small-town community
- second chances

## Content notes

- alcoholism (supporting character)

Common Sense Media age recommendation: 8+

## Where this book is assigned

### California Young Reader Medal

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)

### Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Arkansas — [source: Arkansas State Library / Arkansas Literacy Association — Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; annual since 1971)](https://library.arkansas.gov/programs/book-awards/charlie-may-simon-book-award/)

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 Newbery Honor](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Florida — [source: FL B.E.S.T. Standards — Florida-set novel](https://www.fldoe.org/)

### Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)

### Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Vermont — [source: Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Children's Book Award — official winners list (Vermont grades 4-8, annual since 1957)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_Golden_Dome_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Vermont — [source: Dorothy Canfield Fisher / Vermont Golden Dome Children's Book Award — official winners list (Vermont grades 4-8, annual since 1957)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_Golden_Dome_Book_Award)

### Great Stone Face Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)

### Hawai'i Nēnē Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)

### Kansas William Allen White Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Kansas — [source: Kansas William Allen White Children's Book Award (Emporia State University) — winner list (grades 3-5 + 6-8 divisions) via Wikipedia — 2003 winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Allen_White_Children%27s_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Kansas — [source: Kansas William Allen White Children's Book Award (Emporia State University) — winner list (grades 3-5 + 6-8 divisions) via Wikipedia — 2003 winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Allen_White_Children%27s_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Kansas — [source: Kansas William Allen White Children's Book Award (Emporia State University) — winner list (grades 3-5 + 6-8 divisions) via Wikipedia — 2003 winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Allen_White_Children%27s_Book_Award)

### Mark Twain Readers Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)

### Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Maryland — [source: Maryland Association of School Librarians — Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (student-choice; grades 3-5, 4-6, 6-8, 6-9; annual since 1992)](https://www.maslmd.org/black-eyed-susan-book-award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Maryland — [source: Maryland Association of School Librarians — Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (student-choice; grades 3-5, 4-6, 6-8, 6-9; annual since 1992)](https://www.maslmd.org/black-eyed-susan-book-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Maryland — [source: Maryland Association of School Librarians — Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (student-choice; grades 3-5, 4-6, 6-8, 6-9; annual since 1992)](https://www.maslmd.org/black-eyed-susan-book-award)

### Massachusetts Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Massachusetts — [source: Massachusetts Children's Book Award winners (Salem State University), via Goodreads award record — 2002](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4054-massachusetts-children-s-book-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Massachusetts — [source: Massachusetts Children's Book Award winners (Salem State University), via Goodreads award record — 2002](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4054-massachusetts-children-s-book-award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Massachusetts — [source: Massachusetts Children's Book Award winners (Salem State University), via Goodreads award record — 2002](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4054-massachusetts-children-s-book-award)

### Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2003 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2003 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2003 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)

### Nebraska Golden Sower Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)

### Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)

### Sunshine State Young Readers Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)

### Vermont Golden Dome Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Vermont — [source: Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (formerly Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award) — winner list 1957-2020 via Wikipedia — 2002 winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Canfield_Fisher_Children%27s_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Vermont — [source: Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (formerly Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award) — winner list 1957-2020 via Wikipedia — 2002 winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Canfield_Fisher_Children%27s_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Vermont — [source: Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (formerly Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award) — winner list 1957-2020 via Wikipedia — 2002 winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Canfield_Fisher_Children%27s_Book_Award)

### Volunteer State Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)

### West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · West Virginia — [source: West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award — official winners list (West Virginia grades 3-6, voted annually since 1981; hosted by the West Virginia Center for the Book at the West Virginia Library Commission)](https://library.wvstateu.edu/imcPgs/WV-Childrens-Choice-Book-Awards.html)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · West Virginia — [source: West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award — official winners list (West Virginia grades 3-6, voted annually since 1981; hosted by the West Virginia Center for the Book at the West Virginia Library Commission)](https://library.wvstateu.edu/imcPgs/WV-Childrens-Choice-Book-Awards.html)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · West Virginia — [source: West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award — official winners list (West Virginia grades 3-6, voted annually since 1981; hosted by the West Virginia Center for the Book at the West Virginia Library Commission)](https://library.wvstateu.edu/imcPgs/WV-Childrens-Choice-Book-Awards.html)

### Wisconsin Golden Archer Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Wisconsin — [source: Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association — Golden Archer Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Middle/Junior High; annual since 1974)](https://www.wemta.org/golden-archer-award.html)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Wisconsin — [source: Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association — Golden Archer Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Middle/Junior High; annual since 1974)](https://www.wemta.org/golden-archer-award.html)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Wisconsin — [source: Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association — Golden Archer Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Middle/Junior High; annual since 1974)](https://www.wemta.org/golden-archer-award.html)

### Young Hoosier Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)

### Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific Northwest)

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)

### Young Reader's Choice Award (PNLA)

- **recommended** · 3rd grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2003 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2003 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2003 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)

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