Dear Mr. Henshaw
A Newbery Award Winner
Harper Collins 2009
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- divorce and family change
- self-expression and finding your voice
- bullying and belonging
- friendship
- resilience
- identity
- creativity and writing
- coping with change
About this book
Told through letters and journal entries, this Newbery Medal winner follows sixth-grader Leigh Botts as he copes with his parents’ divorce, a move to a new town, and the challenges of fitting in. Writing to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, helps Leigh find his voice and make sense of complicated feelings. Honest, funny, and heartfelt, it’s a relatable story for upper elementary and middle grade readers. Kids enjoy the authentic voice, the letter-writing format, and Leigh’s creative problem-solving.
Setting: small-town California, contemporary (1980s)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dear Mr. Henshaw right for my child?
Yes — Dear Mr. Henshaw is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.9, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include divorce and family change, self-expression and finding your voice, bullying and belonging.
How long does it take to read Dear Mr. Henshaw?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Dear Mr. Henshaw takes around 2.5h to finish. The book has 23,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Dear Mr. Henshaw have an AR quiz?
Yes — Dear Mr. Henshaw has an AR quiz available, worth 3 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Dear Mr. Henshaw?
Dear Mr. Henshaw has an AR reading level of 4.9, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.