Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Citation: Cleary, Beverly. Dear Mr. Henshaw. Scholastic, 1983.
Plot:
Leigh Botts writes a letter to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw, as part of a class project. Surprisingly, Mr. Henshaw replies. This is the beginning to a back and forth pen pal relationship between Leigh and Mr. Henshaw. In the letters we learn a lot from Leigh, as he reveals details about how he feels at school and that his parents are divorced. Towards the middle of the book Mr. Henshaw suggests Leigh keeps a diary, and soon the format changes to Leigh writing to his diary. Through Leigh's interactions one is able to see the complex emotions that he is dealing with and how writing to Mr. Henshaw and his diary are therapeutic for him.
Review:
Apparently I'm in a 'classics' or 'old stand-by' phase right now. I've been teaching a lot of sixth grade, and I tend to read what the kids I am currently teaching are reading. I am sure I read this book somewhere in the 4th or 5th grade, but a lot of my 6th graders were reading it this week. I don't remember my initial response to the book. This time reading it, I appreciated the format, as it was a different way of conveying complex tween emotions. I liked the letter format, and the content has really survived the test of time since children are still reading it. I just have to admit, I'm more of a fan of funny books as opposed to dramatic. So while it is not my personal favorite, I do think it is a good book.
Age: 8 and up
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Bud, Not Buddy
The Indian in the Cupboard
Bridge to Terabithia
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