Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary is lauded for its authentic portrayal of a young boy's emotional journey through family struggles and personal growth. Readers commend its relatable protagonist and engaging diary format. Criticisms include a slow pace for some younger readers. Overall, it's praised for its depth and realistic depiction of childhood challenges.

A reader who enjoys Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary typically appreciates heartfelt, coming-of-age stories about young protagonists navigating personal challenges. Fans of Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing or Louis Sachar's Holes will find similar themes of growth, resilience, and relatable preteen struggles.

Published in 1983 and winner of the 1984 Newberry Award, Beverly Cleary’s Dear Mr. Henshaw marks a departure for the novelist known for her books that celebrate the whimsy and adventurousness of childhood. Dear Mr. Henshaw is an epistolary novel, in which protagonist and aspiring author Leigh Botts narrates his story through letters and diary entries addressed to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. Leigh begins writing yearly letters to Mr. Henshaw in second grade but gradually increases his correspondence as he gets older and experiences the pain of his parents’ divorce, endures bullying at school, and feels a crushing sense of loneliness and abandonment. Through his letters, Leigh not only forges a friendship with Mr. Henshaw but also learns how to hone his writing skills and find the courage to persevere through his struggles. Paul O. Zelinsky illustrated the novel, and the illustrations were never changed in subsequent editions.

Contemplative / Emotional / Melancholic / Inspirational / Heartwarming

Beverly Cleary

Middle grade

Novel

Leigh Botts

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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content

Overview

Get ready to explore Dear Mr. Henshaw and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Dear Mr. Henshaw Summary

Background

Dear Mr. Henshaw Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Letters 1-16

Dear Mr. Henshaw Letters 1-16 Summary & Analysis

Letters 17-38

Dear Mr. Henshaw Letters 17-38 Summary & Analysis

Letters 39-59

Dear Mr. Henshaw Letters 39-59 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Dear Mr. Henshaw Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Dear Mr. Henshaw Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Dear Mr. Henshaw Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Dear Mr. Henshaw Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Dear Mr. Henshaw Essay Topics

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Dear Mr. Henshaw?

Reading Age

Book Details