Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. ( 1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books.

Leigh Botts is a sixth grader who is going through a rough time with his parent's divorce.  Leigh and his mom recently moved  to a new town where he attends a new school.  He hasn't made any friends and he's often lonely while his mom is working or attending nursing school.  He also has part of his lunch stolen on a regular basis and deals with missing his father, who is a truck driver.  His teacher assigns a writing assignment where he has to write to an author, and Leigh begins writing  to his favorite author since second grade, Mr. Henshaw.  He shares his thoughts and feelings with the author and the things going on with his life.  Mr. Henshaw answers him and tells him to begin writing in a journal, which Leigh does.  Leigh deals with the problems of his life by writing in the journal and Mr. Henshaw.  He discovers that he enjoys writing and wants to be an author.  He write a story which wins honorable mention.  Through his writing he is able to come to terms with his parent's divorce and an absent father.

There are several themes in this book such as divorce and being the new kid in town.  Leigh is a believable character and kids will be able to relate to Leigh and his feelings.  This book can teach kids that no matter how bad life seems at times,  things will change and get better with time.