Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Clearly

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

Summary: Leigh Botts is a second grader who loves to read books from his favorite author Mr. Boyd Henshaw. Through a school assignment Leigh ends up writing letters to Mr. Henshaw. At first Leigh does not like the rude replies from Mr. Henshaw, but it is just a way to have Leigh write. Four years later Leigh and Mr. Henshaw are still writing to each other. This writing helps Leigh spell and write better plus it allows him to feel better about life.

Evaluation criteria: Style/Plot - This book is written in letter and diary form. Half of the book are Leigh's letters to Mr. Henshaw and the remainder of the book is written in diary entires. The main character Leigh is like other children whose parents are divorced and rarely sees his father.

Books by Beverly Clearly: