Dear Mr. Henshaw
Cleary, B. (1983). Dear
Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books.
This book is a classic with themes that kids can still relate to today. Leigh is a young boy who writes letters to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, about his life starting from when he's in the second grade and still learning to spell. The letters change a bit each year as he grows older, learns more, and matures. In one of the letters he writes when he's in the sixth grade, Leigh mentions living in a new town and attending a new school. The reader later learns this is when Leigh's parents divorce and he goes to live in a new town with his mom as he his dad continues his life on the road as a truck driver. Through his letters and then a personal diary (recommended by Mr. Henshaw to practice writing), Leigh conveys his feelings surrounding his parents' divorce, missing his dad, anger and frustration with a lunch thief that steals the good stuff from his lunch sack every day, and his dream to one day become a real author.
Teachers will love this book for teaching the basics of letter writing and how to use writing to express themselves. Parents can use this book to encourage children to keep their own diaries at home. It would also be a great way to get kids excited about interacting with their favorite authors.
Scholastic's Lesson Plan Ideas:
Beverly Cleary's Website:
Dear Mr. Henshaw Book Trailer:
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