Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
"Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary is a contemporary realistic novel that explores the challenges faced by a young boy named Leigh Botts as he navigates the emotional turmoil of his parents' divorce. The narrative is structured through a series of letters and diary entries that reveal Leigh's feelings of disappointment, loneliness, and anger. As Leigh corresponds with his favorite author, he grapples with the absence of his father and the impact of his mother's efforts to adapt to their new life.
Set against the backdrop of economic hardship, the story does not provide neat resolutions to the family's struggles but instead highlights the ongoing nature of such challenges. Cleary presents complex, relatable characters who exhibit both flaws and strengths, allowing for a nuanced portrayal of family dynamics. The book addresses themes of resilience and the importance of personal growth, as Leigh learns to cope with his circumstances without vilifying either parent. "Dear Mr. Henshaw" stands out for its honest and empathetic handling of difficult issues, making it a poignant choice for young readers grappling with similar experiences.
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Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
First published: 1983; illustrated
Type of work: Domestic realism
Themes: Coming-of-age, emotions, family, and friendship
Time of work: The late twentieth century
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Locale: Pacific Grove, California
Principal Characters:
Leigh Botts , an only child of divorced parents, who lives with his motherMr. Henshaw , a free-spirited author of children’s books, with whom Leigh correspondsBonnie Botts , Leigh’s mother, a hardworking single parentBill Botts , Leigh’s father, who left his family to be a cross-country truck driver
The Story
Dear Mr. Henshaw has all the distinction of an ordinary story about a boy who is trying to deal with the problems created by a divorce. The story, however, does not end there. In this contemporary realistic novel, the problems never come to a resolution. The dilemma of having only one parent visible most of the time continues even after the story ends.
Second-grader Leigh Botts writes to the author of a story his teacher has read in class. Leigh continues to write to Mr. Henshaw even when the author does not respond to his letters. In second, third, fourth, and fifth grades, Leigh writes rather routine letters to Mr. Henshaw. It is not until the sixth grade that Leigh writes letters of substance.
During the sixth grade and after his parents separate, Leigh and his mother face some of the ensuing problems of divorce. They must move from a mobile home outside Bakersfield, California, to a small run-down house between a duplex and a gas station in Pacific Grove, California. Leigh is asked by a teacher at his new school to write to an author to improve writing skills. Leigh feels confident in choosing Mr. Henshaw, whom he had chosen before. Leigh’s letter includes a list of ten questions for Mr. Henshaw to answer. To Leigh’s surprise, Mr. Henshaw also includes a list of ten questions. It is from Leigh’s response to these questions and from entries in his diary that the reader learns the most about Leigh.
Disappointment, loneliness, and even anger appear in the entries Leigh makes to his journal. Here, Leigh writes about his family. His father receives much of Leigh’s attention, because he rarely calls or keeps in contact with his son. Leigh desires his dad’s presence and assistance in projects such as making a burglar alarm for his lunch bag. Since his mom started working for a catering service, Leigh has had unusual and tasty items in his lunch; someone knows about his lunch and continues to steal it. Eventually, Leigh takes some money sent by his dad and tries making his own burglar alarm. It works.
Eventually, through his correspondence, Leigh confronts the anger and resentment he feels. Although his mom and dad do not resolve their differences and reconcile, Leigh learns a significant lesson about how to cope with conflicts on his own.
Context
Dear Mr. Henshaw is a different sort of book for Beverly Cleary. Unlike the books in either the Ramona or Henry Huggins series, in which the characters are clever and winsome, Dear Mr. Henshaw presents complex, believable characters who are capable of saying rude and unkind things as well as polite and complimentary things. Beverly Cleary presents Leigh, the central character, as an honest person who shakes off self-pity. Mr. Henshaw, on the other hand, revels in sarcasm and impudence. By showing the principal characters to have flaws, the author prepares the way for a realistic depiction of human nature.
Though it is a new form of writing for Beverly Cleary, the epistolary arrangement is not new to literature. Joan W. Blos’ A Gathering of Days (1979), for example, consists of an imaginary New England girl’s diary from 1830 to 1832. The telling of a story through letters and diary entries brings a unique flavor to literature that welcomes a personal look into the lives of what seem like real people.
Dear Mr. Henshaw depicts a regression in social movement. Leigh and his mother, following the divorce, must be willing to accept life on a lesser economic scale. They move to a house that is falling apart; it is all they can afford. Leigh’s mother must start over and build a career, because divorce has left her without a means of supporting herself and a child. Beverly Cleary handles this adult theme of divorce with sympathy and tact. No character is made out to be a villain. Leigh learns to love both parents even though they do not love each other. Dear Mr. Henshaw thus contains a rich, unique layer of realism that contributes to the popularity this book has with children.