Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Dear Mr. Henshaw is a story of young sixth-grade boy who writes a letter to his favorite author.  The story is written in a letter and diary/journal form.  The story is about Leigh Botts who after reading a book in class, decides to write a letter to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw.  The story depicts the life of this young boy during his sixth-grade year in middle school.  The story starts off as Boyd is writing letters to Mr. Henshaw letting him know how much he loved one his book.  The initial letter was written when Boyd was in the second grade, but he writes one every year to Mr. Henshaw until he reaches middle school.  In middle school, he ends up writing a letter with multiple questions for the author as part of research he is doing for a school assignment.  The author replies back with a list of his own questions.  The story continues as Leigh continues to improve his writing skills and ends up keeping a journal/diary where he chronicles his life.  Leigh talks about the different situations that affect him.  This includes who he and his mom are dealing with the recent divorce.  How he misses his dad and is upset that his dad does not communicate with him as often as Leigh would want.  He is also dealing with missing his dog who is now living with his father and his new family.  It is interesting to read about what goes on in a young boy's life who is dealing with divorce.  Just like most kids of divorce, he believes that he is somewhat at fault and we get to read his true feelings regarding the situation.  This is a good book for kids that are going through divorcing parents to read.  I believe that they would be able to relate to what is going on in this book.  Dear Mr. Henshaw was also a 1984 Newberry Medal recipient.

A book trailer can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuEQKFc6NqQ&t=18s

Teachers can find ways to incorporate this book in their lesson at http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/dear-mr-henshaw-teaching-plan

Readers also enjoyed … and now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold

Waterless Mountain by Laura Adams Armer

Other books written by Beverly Cleary are The Mouse and the Motorcycle  and Ramona Quimby,  Age 8.

Cleary, B., & Zelinsky, P. O. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: W. Morrow.