Parents' Guide to

The Best Halloween Ever

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

The awful Herdman kids are back, but watered down.

Book Barbara Robinson Humor 2004
The Best Halloween Ever Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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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?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (6 ):

"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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

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

Book Details

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