This particular 2004 edition of Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo has passed through the hands of many readers, each leaving their distinct mark on its pages.

One reader shared that this book holds a special place in their heart. It ignited an adoration for dogs and storytelling. The worn out pages and penciled notes in the margins are evidence of its lasting impact. They remind us of how literature can connect us with others across pages and time, and shape our lives.

Readers embark on a heartwarming journey alongside Opal, a young girl, and Winn Dixie, her pup. It’s an adventure filled with friendship, community, and self-discovery. If you pick up a copy, may this traveled companion inspire you to treasure the stories that enrich your life and give it deeper meaning.

This object is part of the “Unconventional Wisdom” section of the Artifacts of Experience exhibition designed by University of Cincinnati students in the “Introduction to Public History” course in 2023.
We encourage you to explore the other objects in our collection.

Transcription

Hugh Shaughnessy [HS]: What’s your name?

Jake Rodriguez [JR]: My name is Jake Rodriguez.

[HS]: And how old are you?

[JR]: I am eighteen years old.

[HS]: Where do you come from?

[JR]: I come from Solon, Ohio.

[HS]: Okay, and what’s your object?

[JR]: My object is the book “Because of Winn-Dixie.”

[HS]: So what age do you think you were when you were reading this?

[JR]: I was about the age you are in third grade. So that would have been like seven, eight, maybe nine? Yeah, around that age range.

[HS]: Okay, so when you were reading it at that time, what do you remember about it? Do you remember anything specific about the book? And if you don’t, then what do you remember about English class in seventh or eighth grade, or at least when you were seven or eight years old? Do you remember how you went about English learning and stuff like that in regards to reading?

[JR]: It wasn’t really like English class. It was kind of unstructured. Like, we were just reading that day, I guess. And um, or I guess we just started this book for however long we read it for. And I remember we read this book and watched the movie. And I remember I just, I don’t know what it was. I just really liked the book. I think I just really liked the character Winn-Dixie the dog. Because the dog was just really sweet in the book. And then seeing the comparison between the book and the movie, like just as a kid, like, I didn’t even know that was like a thing, like where books could be like translated into movie form. Like I thought that was so cool. And that was, I guess that’s just my introduction to like new media like that.

[HS]: Yeah. So what do you remember about reading groups and structured reading? Do you remember any of the conversations you had in class around English?

[JR]: I don’t really remember a lot of it. I remember we did do like reading groups or whatever and we got some assignments, but I can’t really remember any of them. Though, but we did it all.

[HS]: Do you think this “Because of Winn-Dixie” book had more of an impact on you than other books you read at that age?

[JR]: Oh, it definitely does, yeah. It’s like this is the one I remember. It’s kind of strange. I don’t really know exactly why I love it, but it just holds such an impact in my heart. It just kind of does. Like I don’t really know why. I don’t know if it’s because it reminds me of that era of my life, or if I was just like, I just really liked the book. But I really can’t remember what happens in the book to be honest. I remember it’s about the dog named Winn-Dixie, but I don’t really remember exactly what happened, so I can’t really give you a straight answer on why it’s sentimental to me. I would have to say that’s it. It just reminds me of that time period and being in school in general. Just elementary school.

[HS]: And so did you get this book specifically for this class or did you receive it from a family member or?

[JR]: Yeah, I think I, yeah, I received it for the class.

[HS]: Well, anything else about the object that you’d like to share?

[JR]: Nothing much. I don’t think.

[HS]: So, oh, I have one more question. Do you think it’s affected you, at least subconsciously or consciously, today? I know the book is about a dog. Do you think that contributes to your love of dogs? Maybe your love of dogs came more from this book, or do you think it was something you kind of had before and maybe that’s why you’re so attached to the book?

[JR]: Maybe this is why I love dogs so much. I really am a dog person. I have two dogs right now, Sophie and Bell. They’re both golden retrievers, and I do love dogs. Yeah, I would say I’m a dog guy or a dog person more than a cat person.

[HS]: So do you think maybe you were a dog person before this book, and that’s maybe why you latched on? Or do you think maybe this had some sort of influence, you know, later down the line, of becoming more of a dog person?

[JR]: I think it might have had some influence because I do remember, like, times in elementary school where cats would come over and I would not really like being around the cats. I don’t know, like some families would bring the cats over there, but I would kind of be scared of the cats, so maybe it did, I don’t know.