Newbery Medal Winner * Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children * ALA Notable Children’s Book

Beverly Cleary’s timeless Newbery Medal-winning book explores difficult topics like divorce, insecurity, and bullying through the thoughts and emotions of a sixth-grade boy as he writes to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw.

After his parents separate, Leigh Botts moves to a new town with his mother. Struggling to make friends and deal with his anger toward his absent father, Leigh loses himself in a class assignment in which he must write to his favorite author. When Mr. Henshaw responds, the two form an unexpected friendship that will change Leigh’s life forever.

From the beloved author of the Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and Ralph S. Mouse series comes an epistolary novel about how to navigate and heal from life’s growing pains.

Leigh’s letters start as a class assignment, but soon they become something more—a way to figure everything out.

Books About Writing: What starts as a fan letter to author Boyd Henshaw becomes a diary where Leigh discovers the power of his own words.
Navigating Divorce: Leigh processes his anger and sadness about his parents’ separation, his dad’s life on the road, and what it means to be a family.
A Classic School Story: From dealing with a mysterious lunch thief to making new friends, Leigh learns that he’s not the only kid with problems.
Finding Your Voice: A heartfelt and funny journey about growing up, being seen, and learning that sometimes the person you need to talk to most is yourself.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Dear Mr. Henshaw