Module 1/Introduction to Children's Literature and Classic Children's Literature/June 2-June 8

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Robinson, B.  (1972).  The best Christmas pageant ever.  New York:  HarperCollins.  

Summary
The story is written from the point-of-view of Beth Bradley, a teenager who has gone to school with the Herdmans her entire life.  The Herdmans are not normal kids:  the six of them set things on fire, smoke (even in the church bathroom!) and steal anything from money to belongings.  There is a Herdman in every grade and they are infamous for their pranks.  Never stepping foot in a church, after they are told refreshments are served, all six of them show up to try out for the annual nativity scene production.  Although there are bumps along the road, the most wonderful part of the story is the end where the story of baby Jesus brings out the best in the Herdmans and everyone else, too.

My Impression
I thought this book was hilarious and it was hard to put down, which is why I read it all in one sitting.  I loved reading from the POV of Beth because of her funny and often sarcastic tone, especially when it came to describing the Herdman kids.  I also liked that in the beginning, the reader is made to dislike the Herdmans but near the end it is hard not to like them.  I liked how they put a different spin on the nativity scene play (wanting to fight the king for trying to kill baby Jesus) even if the Ladies Society wasn't too crazy about it.  It was a funny story but also heartwarming at the same time.  The Herdmans did nothing but breath new life into a play done too many times the same way.  They also gave everyone a different perspective of themselves which was one of the best parts of the story.

Reviews and Awards
"...but the Herdmans' outrages -- from setting fires, stealing, and blackmailing other children at home and school to burping the baby Jesus and bearing a ham (a more suitable offering in their hungry eyes than oil or perfume) at the pageant -- add enough spice to make this one livelier than most."
(1972, Oct. 1).  [Review of the book The best Christmas pageant ever].  Kirkus Reviews.     
      Retrieved from  https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-robinson-4/the
      best-christmas-pageant-ever/. 

Library of Congress Children’s Books
ALA Notable Children’s Book
Georgia Children’s Book Award
Young Hoosier Book Award (Indiana)
Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award (Minnesota)

Suggestions for Use

*Children in the library could act out their own version of the Herdman nativity scene play
*Discuss what is the most important thing about the Christmas season.  Extend this by having children draw pictures of the most important things to them during the Christmas season.