Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: Morrow. Leigh Botts is struggling with his parent’s divorce. Through the process, Leigh has found himself through journaling that was recommended by his favorite author Mr. Henshaw. His correspondence with Mr. Henshaw started in second grade. Through his correspondence, the reader gains understanding of other issues in Leigh’s life besides his parents’ divorce such as loneliness, hopes and insecurities, truck-driver father and supportive mother. Cleary never offers a solution through the letter writing, but allows Leigh to learn through his experiences and use of his writing. The immature nature in his responses to Mr. Henshaw and portrayal of his parents make it possible for readers to identify with each of them and the issues the family is going through. A letter writing lesson, free journaling, and dictionary use would correlate well with this book. The new age of technology has taken students away from expressing themselves through pen and paper.