Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

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

This cleverly written book is a series of letters. Leigh writes a letter to a beloved author, Mr. Henshaw in first grade. Leigh continues to write to his favorite author and then in 6th grade, his teacher assigns the whole class to write letters to an author and ask them questions.  Mr. Henshaw writes back to him with questions of his own which his mother makes him reply to.  They develop a relationship and Leigh divulges his family situation and Mr. Henshaw encourages Leigh to continue writing in a journal.  He does although it feels strange writing to a book so he writes to the Fake Mr. Henshaw.  It is touching and inspiring.

Assignment #3 - Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria in Dear Mr. Henshaw are the characters and the theme.  Children can relate to the challenges the main character, Leigh Botts, and his family experience.  Leigh, his mother and father come through the pages as being genuine and real, all with their own issues and baggage.  Leigh is struggling with his parent’s divorce and starting in a new school, while his mother is a single parent attending school, something many children can relate to.  

The theme of this book is seen through letters to Leigh’s favorite author, Boyd Henshaw.  The book begins with Leigh writing to him of his own volition. Then it becomes an assignment given to him by his 6^th grade teacher where he must ask the author questions.  The two end up developing a relationship that later turns into entries in a journal with his letters addressed to Dear Fake Mr. Henshaw.

Teaching Plan: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/dear-mr-henshaw-teaching-plan

Literature Unit:  http://edhelper.com/books/Dear_Mr_Henshaw.htm

Book trailer: