The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
About
When the unruly Herdman children take over the church Christmas pageant, everyone expects a disaster. Their unfamiliar questions and unexpected choices help the community see the familiar Christmas story in a new way.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
How does the author describe the Herdmans?
Page 2 — the worst kids in the history of the world
2
How did the Herdmans burn down the toolshed?
Page 3 — Leroy Herdman stole a chemistry set and they were trying it out
3
Why did Imogene write down everyone’s weight?
Page 14 — So she could blackmail them
14
Why is Gladys the meanest Herdman?
Page 19 — Each Herdman child taught the one younger than them everything they knew and Gladys was the youngest
19
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
How does the author’s family feel about the Christmas Pageant?
Page 20 — They don’t like it; it’s the same every year
20
Why did the author’s mother get put in charge of the Christmas Pageant?
Page 23 — The woman who usually did it, Mrs. Armstrong, broke her leg
23
What did Charlie say that made the Herdmans want to attend Sunday School?
Page 29 — That he can get all the dessert he wants there
29
How did Imogene act when told the pageant was about Jesus Christ?
Page 33 — Uninterested
33
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Who volunteered to act in all the important roles of the pageant?
Page 41 — All the Herdman kids
41
How was everyone feeling about the Herdmans taking over the pageant?
Page 47 — They didn’t like it
47
Who motivated Mother to make this the best Christmas Pageant ever?
Page 51 — Mrs. Armstrong
51
What did the minister say to those who complained to him?
Page 51 — That Jesus said “suffer the little children to come unto me” and Jesus meant all the little children including the Herdmans
51
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why hadn’t the Herdmans heard of the Christmas story before?
Page 55 — They hadn’t ever been to church and their parents hadn’t taught them
55
How did the Herdmans react when Mother was telling them the story?
Page 57 — They were interested and shocked
57
How did the kids feel about King Herod?
Page 66 — They were really interested in him
66
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
How did the Herdmans learn about King Herod?
Page 71 — They went to the library
71
Name two things the Herdmans have done that have made Alice upset?
Page 74 — Drank the communion wine, stole crayons from the Sunday School cupboards, stole pennies out of the Happy Birthday bank, and smoked cigars in the bathroom
74
Why was it difficult to get a baby for the pageant?
Page 79 — No one wanted Imogene, who was playing Mary, to touch their babies
79
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
Who pierced Imogene’s ears?
Page 85 — Gladys
85
Why was the fire department called?
Page 89 — Someone saw smoke in the bathroom when Imogene was smoking
89
Why was Reverend Hopkins worried no one would come see the pageant?
Page 93 — Because of the Herdmans were in it and they always caused trouble
93
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What did the Herdmans bring for their gift to the baby Jesus?
Page 100 — Their ham
100
Why did Imogene cry during the song Silent Night?
Page 104 — She felt the spirit of birth of the Savior
104
What made this pageant the best one?
Page 104 — The Herdmans
104
Why didn’t the Herdmans take back the ham?
Page 106 — It was their true sacrifice to the baby Jesus
106
Downloads
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Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
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