Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (1983) – Winner of the 1984 Newberry Award

Shortly after our recent move, I pulled Dear Mr. Henshaw randomly from a box when we were needing something to read at night, and I’m glad I did. Of all the Newberry books on my shelf, this was one that had always caught my fancy—and not only because the kid on the cover looks 100% like Will Byers from Stranger Things.

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Throughout our years of family reading time, we have read very few Newberry winners. I honestly can’t say why. After all, I’ve been collecting Winners since college and own probably 75% of those published through 2010.

One of my all-time favorite kids’ books is The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare, winner in 1962. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen won in 1988, and of course I loved that book. But I guess what turned us off to Newberry winners was our most recent attempt, which none of us enjoyed, The Grey King by Susan Cooper, winner in 1976.

A Brief Summary of Dear Mr. Henshaw

I’m constantly encouraging my kids to get into writing, so I thought this book might spark their interest. Writing is a major theme here, as a boy named Leigh Botts starts a sort-of-one-sided correspondence with his favorite children’s-book author, Mr. Henshaw. Although he does receive regular responses from Mr. Henshaw, Leigh takes the author’s advice and uses the “Dear Mr. Henshaw” line as a way to write more openly and honestly inside his own private journal.

In his journal and in the real letters he writes the author, Leigh Botts shares his desire to be a writer, his frustrations with school and life, and his struggles with having what amounts to an absentee Dad. As readers peeking in, we get to watch Leigh Botts grow up through the years and grow through the pains of childhood and some of the pains that come from living in a broken family.

The Power of the Story and of Self-Reflection

This story’s power comes from its realism. Leigh suffers from normal kid issues at school: homework, total exhaustion over writing just a few short words, agonizing over projects due, a secret thief who keeps stealing his lunch, etc. But he also deals with larger family issues simultaneously: arguing parents, failed promises, a lost dog, loneliness, fear, etc. In writing to both the real and the imaginary Mr. Henshaw, Leigh is able to cope with these difficulties, pondering his situation and articulating his feelings.

With this collection of letters from Leigh Botts to an adult we never meet, Beverly Cleary’s genius shines through. By showing instead of telling, she informs her readers that they can do the same with their own troubles that Leigh Botts did with his. Even if a kid doesn’t have a parent or mentor with whom to can share their woes, they can at least write these things down. There’s power in this type of self-reflection.

There’s a reason psychologists, counselors, pastors, and teachers often highlight the emotional and/or spiritual benefits of journaling. I’ve been journaling my whole life, and I can honestly say that I’d never be able to capture and analyze and deal with my problems and abnormal feelings if I never took the time to journal them.

In a journal—which for me is either written as a prayer to God or as a record for my future self—I get brutally honest, so honest in fact that I still never want anyone happening upon them! Yet because of these journals, I also think that I have a solid grasp of my own emotions, problem-areas, and sins. I’m more aware of my own gripes and complaints, frustrations and temptations, pleasures and joys. Because of journaling, I know myself better and can (hopefully) notice when my own personality threatens to become overbearing or annoying. I’m a die-hard believer that everyone should journal!

Conclusion

I loved this book for its unique style and for the highly valuable life lesson it teaches. My kids appreciated it too, but since it wasn’t quite the “story” they’re used to, it wasn’t their favorite. About the ending, my daughter (11) said, “It’s not a good ending, but it’s real.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!

This book might be a driving force in getting us back into reading Newberry books. The list of Winners and Honor Books is long, but there’s no time to start cracking it like the present.

©2023 E.T.