The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 7 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. In Chapter 1, how does the narrator describe the Herdman children? What details help you understand why people in town are afraid of them?
2. In Chapter 2, why do the Herdmans come to church, and how do the other children react? What do you predict will happen now that the Herdmans are involved in the Christmas pageant?
3. In Chapter 3, how do the Herdmans end up with the most important parts in the pageant? What does this show about their personalities and the way they treat other kids?
4. In Chapter 4, the Herdmans ask many questions about the Christmas story because it is new to them. Choose one word, custom, or part of the story they misunderstand, and explain what it really means and why their reaction is funny or surprising.
5. In Chapter 5, Mrs. Bradley keeps trying to make the pageant work even when many people think it will be a disaster. What does her behavior show about patience, kindness, or giving people a chance?
6. In Chapter 6, people are worried about what will happen during the pageant. What clues make you feel worried or hopeful about the performance? Explain your thinking.
7. In Chapter 7, why do you think the narrator calls this the best Christmas pageant ever? What changed about the pageant or about the way people saw the Herdmans?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

In Chapter 1, how does the narrator describe the Herdman children? What details help you understand why people in town are afraid of them?

I think the narrator describes the Herdmans as wild, mean, and always causing trouble. The details about them bullying other kids, smoking, and even starting fires show that they do not follow rules. People are afraid of them because they never know what the Herdmans will do next. The author makes them seem almost unbelievable, but also very interesting.

In Chapter 5, Mrs. Bradley keeps trying to make the pageant work even when many people think it will be a disaster. What does her behavior show about patience, kindness, or giving people a chance?

I think Mrs. Bradley shows a lot of patience because she does not give up when the rehearsals are messy. Other people mostly complain about the Herdmans, but she tries to teach them and include them. This shows kindness because she gives them a chance to learn instead of deciding they are hopeless. It makes me think people can surprise us if someone believes in them.

In Chapter 7, why do you think the narrator calls this the best Christmas pageant ever? What changed about the pageant or about the way people saw the Herdmans?

I think the narrator calls it the best pageant ever because it felt real instead of perfect. The Herdmans did not act exactly like everyone expected, but they helped people notice the Christmas story in a new way. Imogene crying made me think she finally understood how special the baby was. By the end, people saw the Herdmans as more than just troublemakers.