Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

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     Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary, is a wonderful example of what modern life is like for many adolescent boys. Mrs. Cleary introduces Leigh Botts, a young boy living in a shabby cottage near a gas station in central California. Leigh’s parents have recently divorced, which has taken a toll on his lonely life, and Leigh’s only distraction is his aspiration of becoming a writer. Urged on by a school assignment, Leigh writes to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, and through these letters, and his personal journal entries, we are introduced to Leigh’s inner feelings, likes and dislikes, hopes and insecurities, and the very different characters that are his mother and father. As Leigh continues to write in his journal, the reader is able to watch him navigate life as best as he can, and in turn, find small successes that help him grow. The format of this novel, all written through letters or journal entries, makes it a unique read and illustrates just how lonely Leigh Botts is, his biggest confidant being his personal journal instead of friends and family. It can be very difficult to pull off a well-rounded character without any real dialogue or other points of view, but through Leigh’s journal entries, Mrs. Cleary manages to shape Leigh’s character fully, as he opens up about his feelings regarding school, his parents, and himself.

Evaluative Criteria: Characters and Style (included in review)

Cleary, B., & Zelinsky, P. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: W. Morrow. 

-Ms. J