Dear Mr. Henshaw

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary Amazon.com Review

When, in second grade, Leigh writes to an author to tell him how much he "licked" his book, he never suspects that he'll still be writing to him four years later. And he never imagines the kinds of things he'll be writing about:

"Dear Mr. Henshaw, I am sorry I was rude in my last letter... Maybe I was mad about other things, like Dad forgetting to send this month's support payment. Mom tried to phone him at the trailer park where, as Mom says, he hangs his hat."

It's not easy being the new kid in town, with recently divorced parents, no dog anymore, and a lunch that gets stolen every day (all the "good stuff," anyway). Writing letters, first to the real Mr. Henshaw, and then in a diary to a pretend Mr. Henshaw, may be just what he needs.

This Newbery Medal-winning book, by the terrifically popular and prolific Beverly Cleary (Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Runaway Ralph), exhibits a subtlety and sensitivity that will be appreciated by any youngster who feels lonely and troubled during the transition into adolescence. Winner of numerous other awards, including two Newbery Honors, Cleary teams up with Caldecott winner Paul O. Zelinsky, who creates a quiet backdrop for the realistic characters. --Emilie Coulter

Again, I remember reading ts when I was little and relating to it because of my parent's divorce. I remembering being hopeful for Leigh that his dad would be more involved. I look at it now and get mad that Leigh's dad became so distant and made so little effort to keep in touch with him. I see the growth and maturity he had through the book of which I did not remember from before. I did laugh out loud a few times at his thoughts too and I am sure I did not think they were as funny as a child. I think this is a fantastic book for children who are going through a divorce and gives them hope that things will turn out all right. You just hope they can find their Mr. Henshaw to get them through.