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—and his private diary—become the only place he can be truly honest.
- Navigating Family Problems: Leigh tries to make sense of his new life with just his mom, his anger at his trucker dad, and the empty feeling he leaves behind.
- Finding Your Voice: Through his letters to Mr. Henshaw and his own secret diary, Leigh discovers the power of writing to figure things out.
- The Lunchbox Thief: When someone keeps stealing the best food from his lunch, Leigh has to get creative and invent his own lunchbox burglar alarm.
- Heartfelt and Honest: Perfect for fans of realistic stories that aren’t afraid to tackle tough subjects with hope and humor.
