Dear Mr. Hanxiu

Author: Beverly Cleary (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: March 1, 2006
Features: Suitable for reading age: 7～12 years old! There are two major children's literature awards in the world: the International Hans Christian Andersen Award for Children's Literature and the Newbery Medal for Children's Literature. The International Hans Christian Andersen Award is given to children's literature writers, and sometimes the writer's works are not necessarily outstanding; the Newbery Medal, on the other hand, is awarded to works, and indeed every winning work is of the highest caliber. This book won the Newbery Medal for Children's Literature and is a work that surpasses all writing books. Excellent stories, very profound; highly three-dimensional, outstanding technique—truly a masterpiece. —The New York Times Humorous style makes this work even more enchanting. —School Library Journal This is a story about a boy who experiences his parents' divorce and changes in his life. Readers can connect with his inner world through his letters. This winning work from 1984 has not faded with the changing trends, and the boy's emotions still resonate deeply with readers. —Children's Literature This is a letter and diary written by Ray, a fifth-grade boy, to Mr. Henshaw, the author. His parents' divorce, the disappearance of his dog, the stolen lunch, and the installed alarm system—Ray's account will make you laugh out loud, just like "Dear Mr. Henshaw"! Ray, a primary school student, is so captivated by Mr. Henshaw's books that he writes a letter to the author. Coincidentally, his teacher's assignment (a book report) is also to write a letter to the author. In his letter, Ray asks the author nine questions. Strangely enough, the author replies to Ray and asks him ten questions, such as "Who are you? What do you look like? Who are the people in your family? Where do you live?" and so on. This turns into a burden for Ray, who dislikes writing essays. Because the TV at home is broken, Ray reluctantly writes a reply to Mr. Henshaw to answer his questions. Gradually, Ray and Mr. Henshaw begin corresponding, and Ray even starts keeping a diary as suggested by Mr. Henshaw. Ray describes the trivialities of family life, his dog, the lunchbox alarm, essay competitions, and more in an amusing, childlike tone, making it a delightful read. In second grade, Ray read an extracurricular book and fell in love with the author, Mr. Henshaw, so he wrote to him. By sixth grade, for his teacher's assignment, he became even more closely connected with Mr. Henshaw. In his letters, Ray reveals the reality of his parents' divorce, his struggles adapting to a new school, and his inner loneliness. Through his correspondence with Mr. Henshaw, Ray not only learns how to face life but also understands why his parents cannot live together, feels their love for him, and also hones his writing skills. An essay he wrote about his trip with his dad in a truck earned him a nomination for the Young Writers' Contest, further solidifying his determination to become a famous writer. This book won the Newbery Medal for Children's Literature in 1984.