The Herdmans “were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.” The characters in Barbara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever lied, stole, and smoked cigars. They posted a sign on their front yard that said, “Beware of the cat,” and their cat was the meanest looking animal most people had ever seen.

Worse yet, the Herdman kids, and there was one for each grade, never seemed to learn anything in school—except dirty words and secrets about the other children. Teachers would pass them anyway; no teacher wanted two Herdman kids in the same class.

So everyone was surprised when these “outlaws” walked into church one day and took over the annual Christmas pageant.