The Worst Best School Year Ever

This follows THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, again told by Beth and focusing on the Herdman clan. Beth is now in the 6th grade at Woodrow Wilson Elementary and of course, once again Imogene Herdman is a classmate. There is a Herdman for each grade, 6 in all, and even though they never do assignments or seem to learn anything they are always promoted to the next grade. Beth's father offers a theory that the faculty at Woodrow Wilson have a clause in their contracts assuring that there will be only one Herdman per class. There Herdmans hold the school and perhaps even the community in terror with their misdeeds. Beth relates their adventures for the year including kidnapping someone's little brother, 'tattoing' his bald head with magic marker, destroying a school assembly, taking over a school bus, and probably causing an epidemic of chicken pox to name but a few. Hanging over Beth's head is the year long assignment given the first day of school - to find a compliment for each classmate and several for one classmate in particular. Beth's special assignment is Imogene. As Beth struggles to find honest nice things to say about Imogene she begins to see new qualities in her classmate and by the end of the year has begun to develop insights far beyond her years. This book is hysterically funny. Not funny in the sense that it causes the reader to smile or chuckle but rather funny as in laughing out loud to the point of tears. Beth's matter-of-fact descriptions of the Herdman capers are delivered with a delightfully wry sense of humor. The reading level for this book is listed as 3-6 but the interest level is much greater. A younger child would be able to follow and enjoy being read this short novel and an adult (like this one) would find this hilarious. Buy this to encourage a reluctant read, buy this to become somebody's favorite aunt or uncle, buy this distract a sick child or - well whatever excuse you can come up with buy this book but remember to get it far enough in advance to allow yourself time to read it first.

I though that this book was a great book. So far this is the best book i've during the school year. I would reccomend this book to anyone from ages 9-12. by Macy raimo

This book is truly the best book ever. If I could I would rate this book up to 1 million. I like this book because it's about how a family called the Herdmans always gets in trouble or is just up to no good. I also like the book because it's split up into stories about the Herdmans. My favorite one was when a kid got his head stuck in a bike rack and one of the Herdmans named Gladys said they were going to cut his ears off to get him out. Then when the teachers called the fire department they shouted out the window,"They're coming to cut you loose." I thought that was so funny. I would read this book if I were you to get some great laughs. You heard it from me and the whole world. From, Joanna

This book is about a girl named Beth and she is talking about her worst school year, but it turns out to be her best school year ever. One of the funny parts was when the Herdmans stole a baby and marked up his head with markers and they called it the tattooed baby. Another funny part was when they had Eugene crack walnuts on his forehead and the crowd was yelling "Go Eugene, Go Eugene!" and then they yelled, "Go Hammerhead, Go Hammerhead!", and he wouldn't stop until all the wlanuts were smashed. When a kid had his head stuck in a bike rack, one of the Herdmans taped his ears to his head. Another part is when a kid named Howard doesn't have his blanket, he will hold his breath until he gets his blanket because that's his favorite blanket. Anybody in third grade on up should read this book. It's one of the best books I ever read.

Beth said it was her best school year ever, but it was her worst school year ever.She was good, but the Herdman's kids were bad.The Herdman's were a family with 6 kids, and they were always getting into trouble.This was the funniest book I ever read. In one part,the Herdman's stole a baby named Howard and put marker on his head. But my favorite part was when Eugene,a little first grader, was smashing walnuts on his head because Gladys made him do it for the school talent show. I think you should read this book. It is the best book I have ever read.