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Dear Mr.

Henshaw
Beverly Cleary
Section 1 Pages 1-33

PROMPT: Write a list of ten questions that you would ask Beverly Cleary.
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Think about the fact that Mr. Henshaw wrote to Leigh as well as his answers to Leighs questions.
What kind of person do you think Mr. Henshaw is? Why?
2. Does Leigh seem like hes a happy boy? Why or why not? Use examples from the story to support
your answer.
3. What did Leigh mean when he said he was medium in his December 1 letter (in the answer to
question #10)? HINT: He was NOT talking about his size.

Section 2 Pages 3467 (up to Feb. 4)

PROMPT: Pretend that you are Mr. Henshaw and Leigh has just written you about the problems hes having
in school and with his father. Write him a letter and give him advice about how to handle his problems.
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Leigh said that he felt blank like the paper in his diary. What did he mean by that? Have you
ever felt that way? When?
2. What do you think of Leighs father? Do you think hes a good father? Why or why not? Use
examples to support your answer.
3. How is Leighs life similar to the bears lives in Mr. Henshaws new book? How is it different?

Section 3 Pages 67-98 (up to Mar. 5)

PROMPT: Leighs mother said Leighs father had many good qualities or traits. Based on what you know
about him from the story, make a list of at least 5 good qualities and 5 bad qualities that Leighs father
has.
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Does Leigh have a right to be mad at both of his parents? Why or why not? If you were in Leighs
place, how would you feel towards your parents? Explain.
2. Why do you think seeing the butterflies make Leigh feel good?
3. Why did it make Leigh angry that his father sent him $20 with the note about Bandit? If you were
in Leighs place, how would it have made you feel? Why?

Section 4 Pages 98-134

PROMPT: Write a letter to Beverly Cleary. Tell her all about yourself and what you thought of her book.
BE HONEST.
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What did Leigh mean when he said maybe Im not so medium after all?
2. Leigh said that he learned that he couldnt count on his father. How does that make you feel? How
would you feel if you couldnt count on your parents?
3. Why do you think Leigh continued to write to Mr. Henshaw even though hed never actually met him?
Why do you think Mr. Henshaw answered Leighs letters? Do you think Leigh and Mr. Henshaw will
ever actually meet each other? Why or why not?

NAME ___________________________________ TITLE: ____________________________________________


Before beginning each section, write 3 questions or things you want to find out about the story. Then write a prediction for what will
happen in that section of the story.

Section 1
What I want to know:

Prediction:

Section 2
What I want to know:

Prediction:

Section 3
What I want to know:

Prediction:

Section 4
What I want to know:

Prediction:

NAME ____________________________

Comprehension Questions (Pages 1-33)


Dear Mr. Henshaw

SECTION 1

REMEMBER TO WRITE THE PAGE NUMBER WHERE YOU FOUND THE ANSWER.
1. Who is Mr. Henshaw? Why is Leigh writing to him?

2. What grade was Leigh in when he first wrote to Mr. Henshaw?

3. What did Mr. Henshaw suggest Leigh should do after Leighs third letter about Ways to
Amuse a Dog?

4. Why did Leigh send Mr. Henshaw a list of questions?

5. What made Leigh angry about the letter he received from Mr. Henshaw?

6. Why did Leigh and his mother get into an argument? What did she make Leigh do?

7. What does Leigh say is the reason that his parents got divorced?

8. How did Leighs family get their dog, Bandit?

9. Leigh said there were many things that bothered him. What were THREE things he listed?

10. Why does Leigh say that hell call his own book The Great Lunchbag Mystery?

NAME ______________________
Vocabulary Word

Pg

duplicated (duplicate)

11

(Verb)

nagging (nag) (Verb)

mobile

14

16

hauling (haul) (Verb)

16

antique (Adjective)

22

cautious

25

lonesome

partition

32

33

Dear Mr. Henshaw (Pgs. 1-33)

I think it means

Section 1

The dictionary definition is

NAME_____________________________ #__________

DATE__________________

Section 1 Dear Mr. Henshaw


COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY QUIZ
Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word. You will use each word only once! Spelling counts!!
antique
cautious
duplicated
hauling
lonesome
mobile
nagging
partition
1. The teacher __________________________ the math worksheets for the class.
2. Justins father keeps _________________________ him to get his hair cut.
3. This _______________________ trunk has been in my family for years.
4. Sallys grandmother lives in a __________________________ home in Florida.
5. Do you need help _____________________________ those bags to the curb?
6. Michaela was _________________________ after her friends went home.
7. The librarian keeps the old boxes behind a ____________________________ in the library.
8. You should always be ________________________ around strange animals.
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the best answer for each question.
9. What was the title of the book that Leigh first wrote about to Mr. Henshaw?
A. Moose on Toast
B. Things to Teach Your Cat
C. Ways to Amuse a Dog
D. Dear Mr. Henshaw
10. Why did Leigh move to a new school in sixth grade?
A. His father got a new job and the family had to move.
B. He went to live with his grandparents.
C. His parents got divorced and he moved with his mother.
D. None of the above
11. Why did Leigh write to Mr. Henshaw in sixth grade?
A. He wanted to invite Mr. Henshaw to come visit him.
B. He wanted to tell Mr. Henshaw how awful his new book was.
C. His mother made him write to Mr. Henshaw.
D. He had to do a report in school on an author.
12. What did Leighs mother make him do that made him upset?
A. Take the trash out
B. Rewrite his report on Mr. Henshaw
C. Write a thank you note to Mr. Henshaw
D. Answer the questions Mr. Henshaw sent to him

13. Why doesnt Leigh see his father very often?


A. His father lives in another country.
B. His father works as a cross-country trucker so he is gone a lot.
C. His father is in the hospital.
D. He doesnt like his father.
14. Why did Leighs father take Bandit, his dog, after the divorce?
A. Leighs mother didnt like the dog.
B. Bandit ran away after the divorce.
C. Leighs father takes Bandit with him for company when he is working.
D. All of the above
15. What upsets Leigh about his lunch?
A. Someone keeps taking things out of it.
B. His mother is a horrible cook.
C. He doesnt like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
D. He has to carry a lunch box.
16. Leigh said that all of the following things bothered him EXCEPT:
A. Someone stealing food from his lunchbag
B. Little kids with runny noses
C. His mother dropping him off at school too early
D. His father doesnt call him very often
17. Leigh apologized to Mr. Henshaw for being rude in his last letter. What did Leigh say he was upset about?
A. His father didnt send the monthly child support check.
B. His father didnt come to see him very often.
C. He got a bad grade in school.
D. Both A & B
18. What did Leigh say would be the title of the book he would write someday?
A. Why Divorce Stinks for Kids
B. Sixth Grade Stories
C. The Great Lunchbag Mystery
D. Dear Mr. Henshaw

SECTION 1 QUIZ ANSWER KEY


1. duplicated
2. nagging
3. antique
4. mobile
5. hauling
6. lonesome
7. partition
8. cautious
9. C
10. C
11. D
12. D
13. B
14. C
15. A
16. C
17. D
18. C

NAME ____________________________

Comprehension Questions (Pages 34-67)


Dear Mr. Henshaw

SECTION 2

REMEMBER TO WRITE THE PAGE NUMBER WHERE YOU FOUND THE ANSWER.
1. What was the nice thing that happened to Leigh in December?

2. What advice did Mr. Henshaw give to Leigh about writing in his diary?

3. What idea does Leigh come up with to keep someone from stealing food from his lunchbag?

4. Who came to the door on Christmas Eve? What did the person bring?

5. Why did Leigh say that Monday, January 8 was a great day?

6. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh about his lunchbag?

7. What was one of the tips that Mr. Henshaw gave Leigh about being a writer?

8. Why did the librarian stop Leigh in the hallway?

9. What surprised Leigh about Mr. Henshaws new book?

10. Why was Leigh upset with his father? What did his mother tell him to make him feel
better?

NAME ________________________ Dear Mr. Henshaw (Pgs. 34-67)


Vocabulary Word

Pg

halyard

34

fastened (fasten)

34

nuisance

36

grateful

37

foil (Verb)

40

relieved (relieve)

57

scowling (scowl)

62

wrath

64

I think it means

Section 2

The dictionary definition is

NAME_____________________________ #__________

DATE__________________

Section 2 Dear Mr. Henshaw


COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY QUIZ
Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word. You will use each word only once! Spelling counts!!
fasten (fastened)
foil
grateful
halyard
nuisance
relieved
scowling
wrath
1. Can Superman ________________________ the villains evil plans?
2. Make sure you _________________________ your coat because it is cold outside.
3. We used the __________________________ put the flag at half mast on September 11.
4. Kelly was ________________________ when she found her missing diamond ring.
5. If you keep breaking the rules, then you have to accept the teachers ____________________.
6. I was _______________________ to Jenny for letting me borrow her sweater when I was cold.
7. The angry boy is ________________________ at his mother.
8. My little brother is always breaking my things; he is such a _________________________!
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the best answer for each question.
9. What advice did Mr. Henshaw give to Leigh?
A. Try not to get upset about your father not calling.
B. Start writing in a diary.
C. Pretend that each entry in the diary is a letter to someone.
D. Both B & C
E. Both A & C
10. What was Leighs idea to keep someone from stealing food from his lunchbag?
A. Write a pretend name on the bag
B. Put a mousetrap inside so it would pinch the thiefs fingers
C. Keep the lunchbag by his desk
D. Both A & C
11. What did Leigh remember about Christmas last year?
A. His parents werent divorced and they still lived together.
B. They each made up a song about lost shoes on the highway.
C. His parents laughed for a long time.
D. All of the above
12. Why did the man come to Leighs house on Christmas Eve?
A. To deliver Leighs present from his father
B. To deliver a turkey for Christmas dinner
C. To bring Bandit to Leigh
D. Both A & C

13. What did Leighs father give him for Christmas?


A. A new diary
B. A quilted jacket with pockets
C. A model truck
D. Nothing
14. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh he should do about his lunch being stolen?
A. Tell the teacher about what was happening
B. Stop bringing treats in the lunchbag
C. Seal the bag with masking tape and staples
D. Put a burglar alarm on the bag
15. Why did the librarian stop Leigh in the hall?
A. He was running and she told him to stop.
B. She gave him a copy of Mr. Henshaws new book to read.
C. She told him his library book was overdue.
D. She needed help carrying books to the library.
16. What surprised Leigh about Mr. Henshaws new book?
A. It was sad, not funny.
B. It was about a boy named Leigh.
C. It was a book of poetry.
D. None of the above
17. Why was Leigh angry with his father?
A. He didnt call even though he said he would.
B. He sold Bandit to another family.
C. He decided to move to Florida.
D. He wouldnt let Leigh come live with him.
18. What did Leighs mother tell him about his father?
A. That he shouldnt be too hard on his father because a truckers life wasnt easy
B. That his father is a bad man and hes better off without him
C. That she divorced him because he never called her either
D. None of the above

SECTION 2 QUIZ ANSWER KEY


1. foil
2. fasten
3. halyard
4. relieved
5. wrath
6. grateful
7. scowling
8. nuisance
9. D
10. A
11. D
12. A
13. B
14. D
15. B
16. A
17. A
18. A

NAME ____________________________

Comprehension Questions (Pages 67-98)


Dear Mr. Henshaw

REMEMBER TO WRITE THE PAGE NUMBER WHERE YOU FOUND THE ANSWER.
1. What surprised Leigh when he called his fathers trailer?

2. What happened to Bandit?

3. Why did Leigh hang up on his father?

4. According to Leighs mother, why did she and Leighs father get divorced?

5. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh in the hallway?

6. What was in the letter from Leighs father? How did Leigh feel about it?

7. What did Mr. Henshaw tell Leigh about Leighs wax man story?

8. Why did Leigh check out books about electricity?

9. How did the man at the hardware store help Leigh?

10. Why did Leighs mother come running into his room?

SECTION 3

NAME _____________________
Vocabulary Word

Pg

tournament

67

mildew

68

stranded (strand)

71

(Verb)

reception

72

rig (Verb)

85

villains (villain)

89

racket

98

muffle

98

Dear Mr. Henshaw (Pgs. 67-98)


I think it means

Section 3

The dictionary definition is

NAME_____________________________ #__________

DATE__________________

Section 3 Dear Mr. Henshaw


COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY QUIZ
Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word. You will use each word only once! Spelling counts!!
mildew
muffle
racket
rig
reception
stranded
tournament
villains
1. We couldnt watch television because the _________________________ from the satellite was poor.
2. In the movies, the good guys always catch the _________________________ in the end.
3. We stuffed cottonballs inside the bell to ________________________ the sound when it rang.
4. The shower needs to be cleaned because there is _______________________ on the walls.
5. I am going to __________________ a trap to catch the animal that keeps eating the vegetables in the garden.
6. My son is playing in a golf _____________________________ this weekend.
7. I couldnt sleep because of the ____________________ coming from upstairs where the boys were playing.
8. We were _________________________ after our car ran out of gas.
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the best answer for each question.
9. Why did Leigh decide to call his father on Sunday?
A. He was lonely and bored.
B. He was returning his fathers phone call.
C. He was looking for his mother.
D. None of the above
10. Why was Leigh upset after talking to his father?
A. He found out that Bandit was lost.
B. He realized that his father had not planned on calling him that evening after all.
C. He heard a boys voice talking to his father in the background.
D. All of the above
11. Why did Leighs parents get divorced according to his mother?
A. His father was an evil man.
B. They had gotten married too young.
C. His father was a bum.
D. All of the above
12. Why did Mr. Frindley stop Leigh in the hall?
A. He saw that Leigh was about to kick someones lunchbag down the hall.
B. He saw that Leigh was writing on someones locker with a marker.
C. He was angry that Leigh had not helped him put up the flags that morning.
D. He had bad news for Leigh about Bandit.

13. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh after Leigh complained that he had no friends in the school?
A. Nobody wants to be friends with someone who scowls all the time.
B. Leigh isnt the only person who has problems.
C. Lots of people have jerks for fathers.
D. Both A & B
14. What did Leigh realize about the sticks on the branches of the trees in the butterfly grove?
A. They were actually butterflies.
B. They were dead.
C. They had leaves growing at the tips of the sticks.
D. None of the above.
15. What was in the letter that Leigh received from his father?
A. A $20 bill and a note from his father on a paper napkin
B. A check for $25 and a letter from his father about Bandit
C. A $10 bill and a picture of his father and Bandit
D. A birthday card
16. What was Leighs story for the Young Writers Yearbook about?
A. A butterfly that moves to a new city and has adventures
B. A boy who catches a thief stealing lunches
C. A wax man who drives a truck cross-country
D. None of the above
17. Why did Leigh check out books about electricity?
A. He wanted to do an extra credit project in Science class.
B. He wanted to build a burglar alarm for his room.
C. He wanted to fix the lamp in the living room for his mother.
D. He wanted to build a burglar alarm for his lunchbox.
18. What did Leigh buy with the money his father sent him?
A. Materials to make an alarm for his lunchbox
B. A lock for his lunchbox
C. A puppy to replace Bandit
D. A present for his mothers birthday

SECTION 3 QUIZ ANSWER KEY


1. reception
2. villains
3. muffle
4. mildew
5. rig
6. tournament
7. racket
8. stranded
9. A
10. D
11. B
12. A
13. D
14. A
15. A
16. C
17. D
18. A

NAME ____________________________

Comprehension Questions (Pages 98-134)


Dear Mr. Henshaw

SECTION 4

REMEMBER TO WRITE THE PAGE NUMBER WHERE YOU FOUND THE ANSWER.
1. What big problem did Leigh have at lunchtime?

2. What happened after Leigh opened his lunchbox?

3. What did Leigh and Barry do at Barrys house?

4. Why did Leigh stop setting his lunch alarm?

5. What did Leighs father ask that surprised Leigh when he called?

6. What did Leigh write about for the Young Writers Yearbook?

7. What award/place did Leigh win in the Young Writers Yearbook contest?

8. Why did Leigh get to go to the authors lunch?

9. What did Angela Badger say that surprised Leigh?

10. What surprise was waiting for Leigh when he and Barry got back from the butterfly grove?

NAME ________________________ Dear Mr. Henshaw (Pgs. 98-134)


Vocabulary Word

Pg

dash

99

startled (startle)

101

prowls (prowl)

101

fad

103

prose

107

mysterious

113

splendid

119

imitate

119

I think it means

Section 4

The dictionary definition is

NAME_____________________________ #__________

DATE__________________

Section 4 Dear Mr. Henshaw


COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY QUIZ
Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word. You will use each word only once! Spelling counts!!
dash
fad
imitate
mysterious
prose
prowls
splendid
startled
1. The teacher said we could write our story in either poetry or _______________________.
2. We heard ____________________ noises coming from the attic so we went upstairs to investigate.
3. Beanie babies were a __________________ a few years ago; everybody wanted to have them.
4. The loud knock on the door _______________________ us.
5. My little cousin tries to _________________________ everything I do!
6. I had to ___________________ to my car to keep from getting too wet in the storm.
7. We really enjoyed the play; it was ____________________________!
8. The cat _______________________ around the barn looking for mice.
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the best answer for each question.
9. Why did Leigh have trouble paying attention in class?
A. He was tired and wanted to go home.
B. He was waiting for the alarm on his lunchbox to go off.
C. His teacher was boring.
D. He couldnt see the board.
10. All of the following happened after Leigh opened his lunchbox EXCEPT:
A. His alarm went off.
B. He caught the thief who was stealing from his lunchbox.
C. The principal told him he had quite an invention.
D. Leigh gave a demonstration of his alarm to some of the teachers.
11. Why did Barry ask Leigh to come over to his house?
A. To help him build model airplanes
B. To work on homework
C. To help him make an alarm for his room
D. To work on a report together
12. Who was stealing food from Leighs lunchbox?
A. Barry
B. Mr. Frindley
C. Leigh never found out.
D. Ms. Martinez

13. What did Leighs father ask that surprised Leigh?


A. He asked if Leigh missed Bandit.
B. He asked if Leigh wanted to come live with him.
C. He told Leigh he was sorry for being such a bad father.
D. He asked if Leigh missed him.
14. What did Leigh write about in his Young Writers Yearbook paper?
A. The time his father found Bandit
B. The time he and his father hauled grapes to a winery
C. The time he and his father went fishing
D. The time his father moved out
15. Why did Leigh get to go to the authors lunch?
A. The girl who wrote the winning poem was disqualified for copying her poem from a book.
B. All the students who won an Honorable Mention were invited to come.
C. Angela Badger asked for him to be invited because she liked his story.
D. Both A & C
16. What did Angela Badger tell Leigh?
A. She enjoyed his story in the Writers Yearbook.
B. She had met Mr. Henshaw once.
C. His story was splendid work for a boy his age.
D. All of the above
17. Who was waiting for Leigh when he and Barry got back from the butterfly grove?
A. Mr. Henshaw
B. His father and Bandit
C. His mother and Katy
D. Angela Badger
18. Why did Leigh tell his father to take Bandit with him?
A. His father needed Bandit more than he did.
B. He wasnt allowed to have a dog in the house.
C. He had not way to amuse a dog.
D. Both A & C

SECTION 4 QUIZ ANSWER KEY


1. prose
2. mysterious
3. fad
4. startled
5. imitate
6. dash
7. splendid
8. prowls
9. B
10. B
11. C
12. C
13. D
14. B
15. A
16. D
17. B
18. D

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