Cleary, B (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. William Morrow & Company.
Summary
Kids deal with things in their own way, and for Leigh Botts, coping with his parents' divorce and being the new kid at school results in a series of letters to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. At first, Leigh is simply obsessed with a book about dogs, but once Mr. Henshaw actually responds to a letter, it opens new worlds for Leigh. He begins to write in his journal, pretending it's Mr. Henshaw, as he learns to navigate his feelings about his father's absence and the reality of not having any friends. As Leigh grows, so does his writing ability, and by the end he's transformed into a happy young man.
A Teacher's Perspective
This epistolary novel by the dear Beverly Cleary is as brilliant as it is touching. Told in the form of letters, this story evolves with the character. This is a great resource that could be used for many types of teaching. It would hit several TEKS such as letter writing, grammar, and voice. There isn't much to the makeup of the book, but the sketch like pictures every once in a while add to the journalistic nature of the novel. This novel would also be helpful in a counseling situation, as perhaps a reference for younger children who are seeking to understand their own situation. It opens doors for many teaching pathways.
Want to know more?
To purchase your own copy of Dear Mr. Henshaw: Click here!
Scholastic offers a wonderful teaching guide for grades 3-5 for this novel! Click here!
Check out this simple book trailer to introduce the novel!
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