India Opal Buloni

Ten-year-old Opal (as her father calls her) has just moved to the town of Naomi, Florida, and knows no one. Her father, the Preacher, has been called as the new minister of the Open Arms Baptist Church of Naomi.

Opal's very first friend in Naomi is a dirty, stray dog she finds in the Winn-Dixie grocery store. Together, they make friends all over town, but there's a sadness in Opal's heart that even Winn-Dixie can't salve: Opal's mother left her and the Preacher when Opal was a baby.

The sadness Opal feels is echoed in the other characters she meets, but through the sharing her friendship and fellowship, Opal is able to heal her heart and creates a family from the friends she's chosen.

The Preacher

Opal's father is the new minister at Open Arms Baptist Church of Naomi. His deep hurt over losing his wife...