Dear Mr Henshaw

Beverly Cleary

Cover of Dear Mr Henshaw

Dear Mr Henshaw

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Beverly Cleary

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Leigh Botts isn’t just any kid—he’s a letter-writing detective of his own life! Through letters to his favorite author, he uncovers secrets about family, school, and himself. What he finds could change everything.

Themes

FamilyDivorceSchoolComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows ten-year-old Leigh as he navigates the challenges of his parents' divorce, adjusting to a new school, and understanding his own identity through letters to an author he admires. The book sensitively explores themes of family change and self-discovery, making it suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the book deals with emotional issues related to divorce but in a thoughtful and age-appropriate manner.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate ←
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
7
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

133 pages
ISBN
9780881032710
Pages
133
Publisher
Turtleback Books
Published
October 1999
Type
Fiction

Genres

Divorce

Subjects

FamilyMarriage & DivorceSchoolsDivorceParent and ChildLettersNewbery MedalParent-child RelationshipEcolesClassicsFriendshipRomans, Nouvelles, Etc. Pour La JeunesseSchool StoriesLettresSocial ThemesParents Et EnfantsDivorcioNovelaPadres Y HijosEscuelasCartasEpistoloary FictionChildren of Divorced ParentsUnderstanding OthersCommunication and Language DevelopmentDivorce and SeparationSchool LifeSelf Image and IdentitySpanish Language MaterialsSchoolFamiliesEmotions & FeelingsFicción JuvenilPadres E HijosLarge Type BooksLetter WritingLeigh BottsBotts, LeighNovela JuvenilPadre De Familia E HijoForeign Language StudySpanishSpanish LanguageÉcolesSchools Dv FictionAdolescenceAward:Newbery_awardLexile:910Lexile_range:901-1000Age:min:8Age:max:10Grade:min:3Grade:max:7

People

Boyd HenshawLeigh BottsMr. Fridley

Places

Central CaliforniaNevadaItaly