Review: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Title: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Author: Barbara Robinson
Genre: Children’s books
Source: Bookshare
Reason for Reading: I’m not sure what made me pick this book up. I remember loving it as a kid, and since I’ve been in a mood to actually read holiday books, I thought I’d try rereading this one.
Synopsis: The Herdmans were the meanest kids in town. They were always getting in trouble at school, picking on kids, and being disrespectful to their teachers. But then they all decide to get involved with the Christmas pageant, which turns out to have unexpected results.
My Thoughts: There are books that are completely timeless. This book is certainly one of them. Written over 30 years ago, it still resonates, and, best of all, I thoroughly enjoyed rereading it with fresh eyes as an adult.
I remembered the jist of the story–that the Herdmans basically bullied their way into the main roles in the Christmas pageant, but I hadn’t remembered how funny this book is. The author shows a lot of love for her characters and their foibles, and even the bullying Herdmans are treated with compassion and gentle humor.
What’s more, I thought Ms. Robinson had the Herdmans make some excellent points. The Christmas story is kind of old and tired even to this agnostic reader, but I could feel everyone’s excitement as the narrator’s mother explained it to them for the first time. The tale really does have a lot of drama and pathos, and Robinson’s characters pick up on that.
Then, of course, there’s the pageant itself, and reading about that experience brought a smile to my face and mistiness to my eyes. It really is a gorgeous passage, and manages to be heartwarming without going overboard into mawkishness.
Final Thoughts: This is definitely a keeper. I’m not sure I’m inclined to read it every Christmas, but it did bring a smile to my face this year, and I’m glad I read it.
Final Grade: B+
Other Opinions:
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