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dear mr. henshaw [Paperback]

beverly cleary
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (184 customer reviews)


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Book Description

1983
The Newbery Winning story of Leigh Botts through letters and a journal. The book starts with a piece of fan mail to Leigh's new favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. They read one of his books in class and Leigh decided to write him. As the book progresses so do the letters. We see Leigh grow up and things around him change. He is quite persistent in writing and eventually Mr. Henshaw writes Leigh back. Leigh's letters become so prolific that Mr. Henshaw suggests that he write a journal instead. Though all this writing Leigh decides that he likes it and wants to be a writer. He enters and contest and doesn't win but get an Honorable Mention. Leigh is excited by this and devotes more time to his writing. Meanwhile his family life is changed, his parents divorced and his Dad moved out Leigh has to deal with this and all the other uncertainties of a growing boy. Personal Notes: Beautifully written. Cleary captures the essence of a young boy so well that the reader seems to be engulfed in actual letters. She also makes Leigh quite a round character with many problems that children today can relate to. I was a little disappointed by the ending. The parents had a chance to make up and get back together but Leigh's mother chose not too. I guess it is more of the realistic that I appreciate through the rest of the novel and yet sometimes it's nice to have an all-around happy ending.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Dell Yearling paperback (1983)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0862031478
  • ISBN-13: 978-0590503167
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (184 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Beverly Cleary's birthday, April 12th, is celebrated across the country on D.E.A.R. Day, with activities related to the Drop Everything and Read Program. One of the most popular and honored authors of all time, Beverly Cleary has won the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, and both Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. She makes her home in coastal California.

Customer Reviews

It is a great book for all children to read. Lauren  |  32 reviewers made a similar statement
This book is about what Leigh Botts writes in his diary and to one of his favorite authors named Mr. Henshaw. fansyfetheredflowerspoteduck  |  15 reviewers made a similar statement
The author makes you feel like you're in the story. sixth grade reviewer  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Young Student Copes With Life By Writing Fan Letters January 18, 2002
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
"Dear Mr. Henshaw" is mostly a collection of letters a young boy, Leigh Botts, sends to his favorite author, Mr. Boyd Henshaw, over a four-year period. By the 6th grade, Leigh is a regular fan. In his letters, Leigh describes his confusion at home over his parent's divorce and being friendless and picked on at his new school. After receiving some tips about writing from Mr. Henshaw, Leigh soon begins his own diary and learns how cathartic writing can be for him. He even wins a writing contest and meets "a real live author" who congratulates him and encourages him to keep writing.

It's no wonder "Dear Mr. Henshaw" won the Newbery Award in 1984. Although an entire book devoted to fan letters and diary entries might not excite some younger readers, Mrs. Cleary somehow makes this book very appealing and relative to children. There are also several illustrations done by Paul O. Zelinksy for those who enjoy drawings and not just writing. I remember reading "Dear Mr. Henshaw" when I was a kid and would highly recommend it to other children around seven and up.

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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Touching "coming of age" story January 23, 2005
Format:Paperback
Dear Mr. Henshaw is a touching story, kind of a "coming-of-age" tale for an elementary school child. But instead of seeing this tale through a typical narrative, we see this character's growth through letters that he writes to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw.

Cleary does a wonderful job demonstrating that growth, through decisions he makes and, most impressively, small, barely perceptible improvements in his writing.

I was quite surprised when Leigh expressed anger first at Mr. Henshaw for being late in answering the ten questions he sent him, and second for Mr. Henshaw asking Leigh to answer ten questions about himself. Leigh went from "Your friend", "Your Best Reader", to "Your Disgusted Reader".

One of the things that Mr. Henshaw suggested was that Leigh keep a journal. Leigh did so, and that's where we see the most tremendous growth of his character, as he talks about his feelings about his mom, his dad, and himself.

It's a wonderful book for kids, but also a terrific read for adults. Beverly Cleary never disappoints.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Dear Mr. Henshaw Book Review January 25, 2007
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
Leigh Botts is a Boyd Henshaw fan since he was in second grade. Boyd Henshaw is a famous author who Leigh writes letters to almost every week. Leigh lives in his trailer with his mom who barely makes any money. Leigh is a super lonely kid and has no friends till a tiny miracle happens to his lunchbox. Leigh's dad drives a truck all day and Leigh is troubled by his father's absence. Leigh will finally learn to not always trust his dad. I recommend this book to ages 8 and up. I loved this book and hope you love it too.

~Cadid
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Henshaw
I loved how the format of the story was presented. The character was clearly presented. It is a very well written book.
Published 1 month ago by caroljo
3.0 out of 5 stars Review
Dear mr Henshaw 

Intro I think this story is about a lonely boy who missis his father.
evidence 1: in the story his wish is that his father would come home and live... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cougarclan
5.0 out of 5 stars On time - good condition
Book was received in a timely fashion and in good condition. My son will be meeting the illustrator in a few weeks and he is looking forward to having him sign the book, now that... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gina C.
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book
It was purchased for my 7 yr. old granddaughter. She had read it in school and sat down and read Dear Mr. Henshaw again.
Published 4 months ago by blhudson
5.0 out of 5 stars daughter loved the book
my daughter loved it when she checked it out from her school library but wanted one of her own and now enjoys even more
Published 4 months ago by Thomas J, May
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
This book was purchased for my grandchildren. They liked it. I find Beverly Cleary to be a wonderful author. I enjoy her books and my grandchildren often request them.
Published 4 months ago by Mira E. Creed
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
We ordered this for my son to read for his 4th grade class. He loved it. It was a great book!
Published 5 months ago by Hasbro
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book on Acceptance
This is a wonderful, humorous, tender book about a young man who must accept his parents' divorce, economic disadvantages, his father's absence, rivals for his father's affections... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Minerva R. Hodis
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Dear Mr. Henshaw is one of my favorite childhood books. I remember I read it for the first time when I was in the second grade, just like Leigh is when the story begins. Read more
Published 9 months ago by poetry
5.0 out of 5 stars Newberry is a valid award
Two things possessed me to read this book: The first is having seen it on a library shelf about 20-some-odd years ago and having wanted to read it, and the second was going through... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Lemas Mitchell
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