Growing up isn't easy when experiencing newly divorced parents and the flood of emotions that come with loss of a family unit. In this case Leigh also wrestles with disappoint in his father and being left alone often as his mom works to pay the bills. He struggles to meet friends at a new school and deals with a lunchbox thief which keeps him scowling. Thank goodness for his favorite author Mr. Henshaw, who encourages Leigh to write like himself in order to work towards his goal of becoming an author. Through journaling, Leigh works through his feelings and grows as a young man. A realistic fiction coming of age story that students can relate to. Grade 4 Novel Study.