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The Best Halloween Ever (by Barbara Robinson)

common sense media says

The awful Herdman kids are back, but watered down.

parents & educators say
See all 9 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that adults cancel Halloween festivities out of concern for the behavior of one family's kids.

Positive messages: The neglected Herdman kids misbehave in a variety of outrageous and creative ways, including stealing and bullying, mostly without consequences.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Many brand-name candies mentioned.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Best Halloween Ever

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what makes a great Halloween. They also can talk about what constitutes misbehavior and how adults should control it.

What's the story?

What's the story?
The six wild Herdman kids, a destructive force in town at any time, tend to really let loose on Halloween, and the town has had enough. So the Mayor cancels Halloween, and the PTA decides to put on a "safe and controlled and peaceful and boring" celebration at the school. The kids have mixed feelings -- it means no Herdmans, but also no candy, and possibly no fun.

But when the Herdmans get wind of it, and of the town's desire to have a Herdman-free Halloween, they make their own plans.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

"Safe and controlled and peaceful and boring" could well describe this book. The Herdmans hardly make an actual appearance at all, and most of the book is just a talky lead-up to Halloween. By then the author has built up so much anticipation that the actual event is a big letdown -- tame to the point of being lame.

We get to know the characters so little that many young readers, if they haven't read the first book, may not even realize that the narrator is a girl until well into the story. Virtually nonexistent characterizations, the thinnest of plots, and the mildest of humor make this a sad sequel to the funny and touching Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Barbara Robinson
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date: October 2, 2004
Number of pages: 117
Hardcover price: $14.99
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

attitude36
kid, 13 years old
14
 
bam82
there is a family that the kids act up so i sugest thatthat if your kid would act up after reading that then they shouldnt read it.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)
KD4LYFE
teen, 16 years old
 
KIDS NEED TO STAY GOOD IN THIS WORL YOU NEED TO KEEP IT THIS WAY
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eswanson
parent of 10 year old
 
My 6 yo enjoyed
This certainly isn't the finest piece of literature ever written but my 6 yo enjoyed it. I'd recommend it for parents whose kids are interested in chapter books but aren't ready for the complex language found in some of them. No the Herdmans aren't the model of good behavor but there are plenty of worse role models out there.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)
giggle94
teen, 16 years old
 
I laughed!!
This was a great book!! It is a great sequal to The Best christmas Pagent ever!!
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
babygiggles98
teen, 18 years old
 
I laughed
this was a funny book
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (6)
ThreeDaysGrace ...
teen, 15 years old
5
 
I remember that book. Sc*** Common Sense Media.
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treaha
teen, 14 years old
12
 
love
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candycake9089
kid, 12 years old
8
 
Great Book
I love this book I have read all of the books with the heardmans in it I have the book with me when I'm typing this. I go to Pleasent Hill Elementary in Olive Branch Mississippi and I found this book in the school library I was so exited to read it. I'm the best reader in my class. I'm even doing a book fair project on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It was the very first one I read. I even have the movie.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
candycakes90898
kid, 12 years old
8
 
Great Book
I love this book I have read all of the books with the heardmans in it I have the book with me when I'm typing this. I go to Pleasent Hill Elementary in Olive Branch Mississippi and I found this book in the school library I was so exited to read it. I'm the best reader in my class. I'm even doing a book fair project on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It was the very first one I read. I even have the movie.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)

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