Dear Mr. Henshaw discussion

Award Book

Book Information: Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., c.1983, 134 pages, grades 3-6, Newbery Award.

Book Annotation: An eleven year old “wannabe” author deals with personal issues through his letters to a famous author.

Literary Category: Realistic Fiction

Reading Notes: Leigh writes author Boyd Henshaw a letter every year from 2nd to 6th grade. He loves the book Ways to Amuse a Dog. He wants to be an author. For a 6th grade report, he sends Henshaw a list of questions. Henshaw sends back wise-crack answers and a list of his own questions for Leigh. Through answering these questions in a series of letters, Leigh deals with the problems in his life…absent father, no friends, a thief that steals the good things from his lunch. After answering Mr. Henshaw’s questions, Leigh begins a journal by pretending he is writing to Mr. Henshaw. He becomes a better writer and eventually gets to meet a published author who likes his writing.

Characters: Leigh Botts, 11 years old; since the book is entirely comprised of letters and journal entries written by Leigh, there are no other major characters. However Mr. Henshaw is vital to the story. Although we do not see Henshaw’s responses, we are keyed in to them by Leigh’s responses. Leigh’s mother and father are both frequently mentioned in the book.

Related Books: The Fox Steals Home, by Matt Christopher is about a boy dealing with his parent's divorce. Dear Sylvia, by Alan Cumyn is another book comprised entirely of letters.

Classic Book

Book Information: Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Donna Diamond, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., c.1972, 128 pages, grades 5-8,The Horn Book’s Children’s Classics at www.hbook.com.

Book Annotation: Two young loners forge a friendship and create a secret world.

Literary Category: Realistic Fiction

Reading Notes: Jesse has 4 sisters, likes to draw. His dad does not approve of his drawing hobby. He wants his dad’s attention. Jesse is in love with his music teacher, Julia Edmunds. He is looking forward to being the fastest runner but when they race he gets beat by new girl, Leslie. He & Leslie form a connection during music class. They build a secret land called Terabithia. In Terabithia they are royalty and they fight evil creatures to protect their land. Jesse is afraid of water, but crossed rising creek with Leslie anyway. While Jesse is in Washington with Ms. Edmunds, Leslie tries to cross on her own. The rope breaks, she hits her head and dies. In the end, Jesse builds a bridge to Terabithia and takes May Belle along to be the new queen.

Characters: Jesse Aarons, Jr., age 10
Leslie Burke, age 10
Brenda & Ellie Aarons, high school age, Jesse’s sisters
May Belle Aarons, age 6, Jesse’s sister
Joyce Ann Aarons, toddler, Jesse’s sister
Bill and Bonnie Burke, Leslie’s parents
Mr. & Mrs. Aarons, Jesse’s parents
Julia Edmunds, music teacher

Related Books: Sunshine Picklelime, by Pamela Ellen Ferguson, deals with the death of a child friend.