Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo-182 pages

I watched the movie a few years ago, so I decided to read this book since this month is books about animals. Opal Buloni goes to a Winn-Dixie grocery store in Naomi, Florida where she has just moved and meets a mischievous, friendly stray dog who she claims is hers and names Winn-Dixie after the grocery store. Because of Winn-Dixie she meets and befriends Franny Block, who runs the Herman W. Block Memorial Library. Additionally, she meets and befriends Otis, who runs a pet store. Opal also becomes friends with Amanda, the Dewberry boys, Gloria Dump, and Sweetie Pie Thomas. She makes all of these friends because of her dog Winn-Dixie. Opal also reaches an understanding about her mom leaving her and her dad, the preacher. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, although I was disappointed that the grammar was not better. There are many examples throughout the book of improper grammar usage (i.e. I seen, I brung, etc.). I understand that Opal is 10 and many of her friends are kids, also, but I would like to see more proper grammar.

Opal by Jennifer Armentrout

Opal by Jennifer Armentrout  382 pages

No one is like Daemon Black. When he set out to prove his feelings for Katy, he wasn't fooling around. Doubting him isn't something she'll do again and now that they've made it through the rough patches, well, there's a lot of spontaneous combustion going on. But even he can't protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they loved. With help coming from the most unlikely source and Adam's death still lingering with those who loved him, friends will become the deadliest of enemies and the villains will no longer be clear. When each step they take in discovering the truth puts them in the path of the secret organization responsible torturing and testing hybrids, the more Katy realizes there is no end to what she's capable of. They won't turn back, even if the outcome will shatter their worlds forever.