Lead+In

LEAD-INS TO LITERATURE Could keeping a diary or a blog, writing to a pen pal, or communicating by email with your favorite author change your life? Can people who you have never met in person have a greater effect on your life than those around you? What attributes would this faraway person have to keep your interest? Do you think humor could possibly be a force that brings faraway people together in this story?

1. Did the name Mr. Henshaw bring any mental images to mind before reading the story? For some reason I thought he was either a teacher or a magician. What did you think his occupation might have been before you read the story?

2. From the picture on the book's cover, it is easy to see that letter writing might play an important part in the story. What three ways would you incorporate letter writing into the theme of a story you were writing?

3. Have you read any other stories where written messages or letters played an important part in the story? Explain.

4. List five reasons why someone would keep a diary. What are five good reasons for not keeping a diary?

5. If you could write to any author, who would you choose? Select a male and a female. Why did you choose those particular authors?

6. Beverly Cleary, like Judy Blume, often develops the theme of a new kid in school or in the neighborhood. What are three advantages and disadvantages of being a "new kid"?

7. There are many occupations like truck driver and airplane pilot who would keep a parent away from home for a large amount of time. What advice would you give a friend who was concerned about how often his/her parents are away from home? What advice would you give to the often absent parent to better meet the needs of his/her family?

8. In the story you will meet a dog named Bandit. Can you think of three reasons why a person would name his/her dog, Bandit?

9. If you were an author, how would you use the idea of a "missing lunch box food" in one of your stories?

10. What do you know about burglar alarm systems? Where would these systems be used?