With a tone of humorous sarcasm and exasperation and delivered in her inimitable gravelly voice, Stritch reads Robinson's latest adventures of the six Herdman kids who have wreaked havoc in such previous novels as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
. Taking on the role of Beth, who serves as narrator for the proceedings, Stritch delivers her lines as a wry observer. But the trouble for fans of the Herdmans' brand of mischief is that the Herdmans are not up to their usual tricks and treat-stealing ways in this story; they hardly make an appearance. The principal of the school wants to avoid Herdman hullabaloo on Halloween, so he convinces the mayor to cancel the holiday celebration and even do away with candy in local stores in favor of a school costume party on the big night. Imogene Herdman gets wind of this Herdman-free–Halloween plan, and luckily for her classmates, the school event ends up getting a bit of the Herdman treatment after all. Stritch fans will find much to enjoy here, however, Robinson devotees will long for more of the chaos to which they've become accustomed. Ages 8-up. (Aug.)
