The Best Halloween Ever
By Barbara Robinson

     When Principal Crabtree cancels Halloween, Beth’s mom blames the Herdmans’. Beth agrees and tells young readers why:

     “As it was they’d wiped out Flag Day when they stole the flag, and Arbor Day when they stole the tree. They had ruined fire drills and school assemblies and PTA bake sales, and they let all the kindergarten mice out of their cage and then filled up the cage with guinea pigs.”

     Every school year, Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie and Gladys Herdmans terrorize Woodrow Wilson Elementary. Beth’s brother Charlie has been their victim more than once. Beth and Charlie love Halloween and counting candy. Beth wants to celebrate Halloween, but instead is writing about it for extra credit. Eventually the town comes up with a plan to celebrate Halloween without the Herdmans – and the Herdmans are quietly fueled by this challenge.

     It’s another outrageous episode in the humorous Best/Worst series. A series in which young readers are entertained by Beth’s first hand accounts of the Herdmans’ and their adventures. Although gross at times – which kids love – the series isn’t mean or violent. The Best Halloween Ever is a comical holiday story to be enjoyed by all. Highly recommend as a class read.