A Review of Dear Mr. Henshaw
The Beloved Newbery Medal Winner by Beverly Cleary
Leigh Botts desperately needs a friend. After moving to a new school following his parents’ divorce Leigh finds himself alone and confused. Turning to books, Leigh discovers author Boyd Henshaw. When his teacher instructs her students to write a letter to an author as a class project, Leigh chooses Mr. Henshaw and begins a literary journey to self-discovery.
Childhood Challenges
Dear Mr. Henshaw consists entirely of Leigh Botts’ writings. Although his only direct activity involves pen and paper, Leigh’s writings tell the story of his daily adventures, successes and failures. From battling a lunchbag thief to getting acquainted with the school janitor to waiting in vain for his father to visit, readers experience Leigh’s life through his words and eyes. They feel his frustration, disappointment and anger. Developing a main character using only that character’s written words must have been a difficult challenge, but Beverly Cleary rose to the occasion, earning a Newberry Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw.
Divorce Details
Many of Leigh’s letters to Mr. Henshaw involve his parents’ divorce, specifically his dad’s absence in Leigh’s life. He reveals anger over missed child support payments, fear that he somehow caused his parents’ split and disappointment when his father fails to visit. Writing to Mr. Henshaw provides a release for Leigh’s emotions and helps him better to understand and cope with them.
Letter Lessons
Although readers cannot be entirely sure whether Mr. Henshaw’s intentions are noble or whether he acts in selfishness, Leigh’s beloved author admonishes him to stop writing letters and begin a journal, a transition that Leigh finds difficult. He eases into the concept by continuing to address his thoughts to Mr. Henshaw but refrains from mailing the letters. Leigh reaches a turning point when he moves to keeping a traditional journal. In his words, “I don’t have to pretend to write to Mr. Henshaw anymore. I have learned to say what I think on a piece of paper.” (p. 73) Although his friendship with Mr. Henshaw provides an element of support and strength, Leigh also comes to see the wisdom and strength inside himself and learns to draw from it.
Journal Jump-Starts
Dear Mr. Henshaw provides teachers with a wonderful opportunity to enrich students’ lives through the practice of journaling. After reading the book as a class, educators should introduce the concept of journaling as Leigh first learned it – by writing brief letters to someone.
Beginning journal keepers find it easier to write thoughts, feelings and experiences if they are directed to a specific someone. To mail or not to mail? While Leigh found success in writing to someone famous, not all children will be so fortunate. If sending the letters and receiving responses is the desired end, teachers should consider instructing their students to write to one person, who should be contacted ahead of time to ensure willingness to respond.
Again taking cues from Leigh’s journey into journaling, teachers should lead students into keeping private journals by providing both inexpensive notebooks and time to record thoughts. Journaling is one of the most precious gifts a teacher can give his/her students. Not only does it provide an outlet for emotions, it also serves as a written record of a childhood that one day will only be a memory.
Dear Mr. Henshaw
By Beverly Cleary
Copyright 1983 by Beverly Cleary
ISBN: 0-590-68727-1
