Letters to Solitude: The Journey of Leigh Botts
Inspired by Beverly Cleary's novel: Dear Mr. Henshaw
Leigh Botts, a ten-year-old boy living in a small southwestern town, felt more alone than ever. His parents had recently divorced, his dad a cross-country truck driver who seemed to always be on the road, and his mom working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Leigh found solace in writing letters to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, expressing his thoughts, feelings, and stories.
One day, Leigh was surprised to receive a package from Mr. Henshaw himself, inside which was a journal. The accompanying letter suggested that Leigh fill the journal with his thoughts rather than writing to him. Leigh, initially disappointed, eventually found himself pouring his heart into the journal, finding it a comforting companion during his lonely times.
In school, Leigh’s lunch kept disappearing from his bag. Determined to catch the thief, he devised an alarm system with bits and pieces from his dad's old truck parts. Leigh's creativity and initiative were appreciated, leaving his classmates in awe and causing the lunch thief to eventually come clean.
Leigh's relationship with his father ebbed and flowed. Sometimes, he was overjoyed when he received postcards from his father, but other times he felt abandoned. The journal became his confidant, where he discussed the strain of his parents' separation and his longing for his father.
One day, his dad unexpectedly showed up at school to pick him up. Leigh was thrilled, thinking this might be a sign of them reuniting. However, his joy was short-lived when he realized his dad was on another trip and just stopped by to say hello. Leigh wrote about this encounter in his journal, pondering his father's fleeting presence in his life.
The school announced a young authors fair, and Leigh decided to submit a story. He wrote about a boy with a wandering father and a stolen lunchbox, pouring all his personal experiences onto paper. The authenticity and emotion in his story won him first place.
The accolades and recognition he received boosted Leigh's self-esteem and helped him gain new friends. He realized that he was not alone; everyone had problems, each just as significant to them as his was to him.
Through his letters and journal entries, it was clear that Leigh had matured. He no longer felt the need to receive a reply from Mr. Henshaw. Instead, he looked forward to sharing his thoughts and feelings in his journal, using writing as a coping mechanism for his everyday struggles.