“Well now, look at that,” she said. “That dog is smiling at me.” “It’s a talent of his,” I told her. “It is a fine talent,” Miss Franny said. “A very fine talent.” And she smiled back at Winn-Dixie. “We could be friends,” I said to Miss Franny. “I mean you and me and Winn-Dixie, we could all be friends.”

“Well now, look at that,” she said. “That dog is smiling at me.” “It’s a talent of his,” I told her. “It is a fine talent,” Miss Franny said. “A very fine talent.” And she smiled back at Winn-Dixie. “We could be friends,” I said to Miss Franny. “I mean you and me and Winn-Dixie, we could all be friends.”

— Kate DiCamillo