Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. NY: Morrow.

Summary

Through a collection of heartfelt letters and diary entries, Leigh Botts gives readers a relatable account of what life is like for him after his parents get a divorce. From his struggles in school to making new friends to coping with a strained relationship with his father, this novel displays realistic struggles that many young boys and girls can identify with.

Notes

This story transcends gender, class, and setting. Though written from a young boy's perspective, the struggles Leigh faces are those that many readers can relate to. One of the central conflicts of this novel is the aftermath of divorce. Although this is a specific conflict that Leigh faces, the themes generated are ones that almost any young student can relate to, from a struggle to find identity to dealing with disappointment from discovering the faults of a parent.

Extension

Pretend you are Mr. Henshaw and have just finished reading the last entry from Leigh. Write a letter back to him. Make sure your words demonstrate the personality of Mr. Henshaw as best as you can gather from the letters that Leigh wrote.