Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary tells the story entirely through Leigh's own writing, first letters and later a diary that Mr. Henshaw encourages him to keep. The format is perfect for the subject: we watch a boy who feels invisible slowly learn to put his feelings into words. His voice is plain, funny and touching, and young readers easily recognise his frustration and loneliness.

The lunchbox mystery gives the book a lighter thread, as Leigh builds an ingenious alarm with help from a friendly school custodian. Meanwhile his hopes about his father are handled honestly; the ending is hopeful but not falsely tidy. A school writing contest and a meeting with a real author give Leigh, and readers, a lovely sense of what writing can do.

It is quieter than Cleary's Ramona books and has less obvious comedy, which some children may find slow. For thoughtful readers, it is one of her finest books, and it won the Newbery Medal. The book is also a gentle introduction to the craft of writing, as Mr. Henshaw's advice to write honestly about real life helps Leigh discover a story only he can tell. About 160 pages in the HarperCollins paperback.