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Quick answer: If your child loved Because of Winn-Dixie, read Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux and Flora & Ulysses, then Shiloh, Hoot and The One and Only Ivan. All are warm stories about kids, animals and the friends they make.
Kate DiCamillo's novel follows Opal, a lonely girl who adopts a stray dog and uses him to meet the people in her new Florida town. It is gentle, funny and sad in just the right amounts. The books below share its heart, its animals and its small-town charm for ages 8 to 12.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tale of Despereaux | Kate DiCamillo | 8-12 | more DiCamillo |
| Flora & Ulysses | Kate DiCamillo | 8-12 | funny animal tales |
| The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | Kate DiCamillo | 8-12 | love and loss |
| The Tiger Rising | Kate DiCamillo | 9-12 | grief and friendship |
| Shiloh | Phyllis Reynolds Naylor | 9-12 | dogs and ethics |
| Old Yeller | Fred Gipson | 10-13 | classic dog stories |
| Hoot | Carl Hiaasen | 10-14 | humour and nature |
| The One and Only Ivan | Katherine Applegate | 8-12 | animal narrators |
| Charlotte's Web | E.B. White | 7-11 | friendship classics |
| Love That Dog | Sharon Creech | 8-12 | poems and pets |
| Walk Two Moons | Sharon Creech | 10-14 | road-trip stories |
| Saving Winslow | Sharon Creech | 8-11 | caring for animals |
| Savvy | Ingrid Law | 9-13 | magical families |
| Fish in a Tree | Lynda Mullaly Hunt | 9-13 | friendship and learning |
| Wonder | R.J. Palacio | 8-12 | kindness stories |
1. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
A tiny mouse with big ears falls in love with a princess. A Newbery winner with a fairy-tale voice.
Best for: more DiCamillo.
2. Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
A girl rescues a squirrel who gains superpowers after an accident. Funny and heartfelt.
Best for: funny animal tales.
3. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
A china rabbit is lost and found and learns to love. Beautiful and emotional.
Best for: love and loss.
4. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
A boy finds a caged tiger behind a motel in Florida. Quiet and moving.
Best for: grief and friendship.
5. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
A boy finds a stray beagle and must keep it safe from an abusive owner. A Newbery winner about right and wrong.
Best for: dogs and ethics.
6. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
A boy and his dog protect their Texas homestead. A classic with a famous sad ending.
Best for: classic dog stories.
7. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
A boy in Florida meets a runaway and tries to save burrowing owls. Funny and full of local color.
Best for: humour and nature.
8. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A gorilla in a shopping mall tells his story. Told in short free verse chapters, it won the Newbery Medal.
Best for: animal narrators.
9. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
A pig named Wilbur is saved by his friend Charlotte. A classic about friendship.
Best for: friendship classics.
10. Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
A boy slowly discovers poetry and writes about his dog. Short and moving.
Best for: poems and pets.
11. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Salamanca tells a story on a road trip while searching for her mother. Funny and layered.
Best for: road-trip stories.
12. Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
A boy cares for a sick donkey and learns about love and loss. Short and tender.
Best for: caring for animals.
13. Savvy by Ingrid Law
A girl with a magical power sets off on a road trip. Quirky and heartwarming.
Best for: magical families.
14. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally hides her difficulty reading until a teacher notices. A story of courage and friendship.
Best for: friendship and learning.
15. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A boy with a facial difference starts school. Told from many viewpoints with kindness.
Best for: kindness stories.
How to Choose
For more by the same author, pick The Tale of Despereaux, Flora & Ulysses or The Tiger Rising. For dog and animal stories, choose Shiloh, Old Yeller or Saving Winslow. For humour and spirit, try Hoot, Savvy or Walk Two Moons. If your child likes short and lyrical books, read Love That Dog or The One and Only Ivan. Several of these include sad moments, so be ready to talk about them. These stories are ideal for reading together, especially the shorter ones. Ask your child what animals they would adopt and why, and let them draw their favorite characters after reading.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Because of Winn-Dixie about?
Ten-year-old Opal adopts a stray dog and finds friends in a new town.
Did it win an award?
It was a Newbery Honor Book in 2001.
What age is it for?
About 8 to 12.
Is there a movie?
Yes, a 2005 film adaptation exists.
Is it sad?
It has sad moments, but it is mostly warm and hopeful.
What else has Kate DiCamillo written?
The Tale of Despereaux, Flora & Ulysses and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
Is Because of Winn-Dixie a good classroom book?
Yes, it is widely used in grades 3 to 6 to teach character, setting and empathy.
Does the dog die in Because of Winn-Dixie?
No, though some other books on this list are sadder.
Who is Opal's friend Gloria Dump?
She is an older neighbor who becomes a friend and a source of wisdom.
Are there audiobooks?
Yes, most of these are available on audio, which suits family car trips.
What should I read after Because of Winn-Dixie?
The Tale of Despereaux, Shiloh and The One and Only Ivan are common next steps for readers aged eight to twelve.