Module 4: Dear Mr. Henshaw

 Book Summary:  Leigh is a young man who begins writing to his favorite author, whom he has admired since he was a second grader.  Leigh shares his issues with being the new student at school and someone stealing from his lunch kit.  He also shares his sadness about his parents divorce and having to live with his mom and her not being home much.  He doesn’t see his dad much as his job of trucker keeps him away on the road.

My Impressions: This book brings to light issues that many of our students relate to today.  Although some may say that the book is outdated I think it can still be used for some students to make real connections to the things they are living with on a daily basis.

Professional Review: 

Cleary, Beverly, Dear Mr. Henshaw, New York: William Morrow, 1983, Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinski.

     For those of you and your students who haven’t read this 1983 Newberry Award Winner, this book should be one of the next ones on your list.  Through letters to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, and through diary entries, Leigh Botts shares his innermost feelings about his parents’ divorce; living with his mother; missing his father, a long distance truck driver; his scheme to catch the school lunchbag thief; and his aspiration to become a great writer.

          Beverly Cleary has told Leigh’s story with tremendous warmth, humor, and poignancy.  For example, after receiving a response from Mr. Henshaw, Leigh writes,

                   Dear Mr. Henshaw,

Mom is nagging me about your dumb old questions.  She says if I really want to be an author I should follow the tips in your letter.  I should read, look, listen, think and write.  She says the best way she knows for me to get started is to apply the seat of my pants to a chair and answer your questions and answer them fully.  So here goes.  (p. 14).

          This book should appeal especially to aspiring fifth-seventh grade writers.  The illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky intensify the mood of this story and contribute to its universal appeal.

 Library Uses:  This book would be a great book to use for a new student book club or a book club for students who are new to your school.  Either of these groups could take the step and learn letter or journal writing to share their feelings.

Cleary, B. (1983).  Dr. Mr. Henshaw. New York: Harper Trophy.

Calmes, R. (1986, March) Book Review. [Review of the Book Dear Mr. Henshaw, by B. Cleary].  The Journal of Early Adolescence 6 (1), p103.