Dear Mr.Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Leigh Botts, the main character's, parents are divorced so he has to move to a new town with his mom. He only gets to talk to his dad sometimes on the phone barely seeing him anymore. At school he has no friends and his lunch is stolen by someone without him knowing everyday. Leigh keeps on waiting for the day when his dad comes to pick him up to stay with him for a while. One day, Leigh calls his dad telling him how sad he is because he lost Bandit, his beloved dog. Then, in class he has to do a report so he writes to Mr.Henshaw, an author. Soon after, Mr.Henshaw writes back and Leigh's mom makes him reply. After a while, him and Mr.Henshaw become good friends and keep writing to each other. Leigh tells him about all the problems he faces and why he is sad most of the time. Mr.Henshaw gives him advice and talks to him making him feel happier. Later on, Mr.Henshaw sees how well Leigh's writing skills are and Leigh enjoys writing so Mr.Henshaw tells Leigh to write in a journal instead of to him all the time. Doing so, Leigh writes in the journal until he is fully comfortable with expressing himself and his teacher at school encourages him to join the school contest. In the contest, the students have to write an essay so Leigh writes about riding in his father's truck one day. His story wins an award and he goes to a special lunch for doing so well and participating. Then, he makes a trap for his lunchbox finding the thief. Many kids in his school enjoy the protective alarm and become friends with him while talking about it. He thanks Mr.Henshaw and suddenly, his father comes home bringing back Bandit. Leigh realizes that will all of his goals he doesn't feel so alone and he gives Bandit to his dad for on the road company.