1. Kate DiCamillo Presented by: Christy Ostrowski, Lesley Sylvan, & Reed Weeden H-810G, November 18, 2008

2. Biography Grew up with a single mom Earned a BA in English Got a job at a book warehouse on the children's floor Her first book Because of Winn Dixie was published in 2000 Writes at least 2 pages a day, travels to meet her readers, and works in a used bookstore Teaches Writing for Children and Young Adults at Hamline University

3. Kate in a Nutshell "I am short. And loud. I hate to cook and love to eat. I am single and childless, but I have lots of friends and I am an aunt to three lovely children (Luke, Roxanne, and Max) and one not so lovely dog (Henry). I think of myself as an enormously lucky person: I get to tell stories for a living.” (Kate’s website)

4. Inspiration The Tale of Despereaux: inspired by a friend's son who asked her to write a story about an unlikely hero with "exceptionally large ears" Because of Winn-Dixie: inspired because she was cold in Minnesota, homesick for Florida, and longing for a dog

5. Themes and Ideas Parental Abandonment Redemption Being Yourself “I get my ideas from listening and looking and eavesdropping and imagining. Stories are everywhere. All you have to do is pay attention.”

6. Because of Winn Dixie Ten-year old Opal is lonely after moving to small town in Florida with her father “the preacher” She adopts a dog, Winn Dixie, who leads her to make new friends and form a community Opal to her dog, “You are better at making friends than anyone I have ever known.” (pg. 57)

7. Picture Books, Early Chapter Books & Novels Novels: Because of Winn-Dixie (2000) The Tiger Rising (2001) The Tale of Despereaux (2004) The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (2006) Early Chapter Books: 5 “Mercy Watson” books (2005-2008) Picture Books: Great Joy (2007) Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken (2008)

8. Awards Because of Winn-Dixie - 2001 Newbery Honor Book The Tiger Rising - 2001 National Book Award finalist The Tale of Despereaux - 2004 Newbery Medal The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - 2006 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride - 2007 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor

9. Resources Kate’s homepage: http://www.katedicamillo.com/http://www.katedicamillo.com/ Interviews with Kate: http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au- dicamillo-kate.asp, http://www.teenreads.com/authors/au- dicamillo-kate.asphttp://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au- dicamillo-kate.asp,http://www.teenreads.com/authors/au- dicamillo-kate.asp Lesson plans, study guides, and teacher resources for Kate’s books: http://litplans.com/authors/Kate_DiCamillo.htmlhttp://litplans.com/authors/Kate_DiCamillo.html Excellent site for lessons plans, biography, web links: http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=6 78