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Heidi Heckelbeck #4
Heidi Heckelbeck in Disguise
Heidi Heckelbeck is already a witch—so what will she be for Halloween? Find out in this chapter book that’s perfect for beginning readers.
It’s Halloween in Brewster, and everyone is excited—except for Heidi Heckelbeck. Heidi hates seeing people dress up as witches, as if they know what life as a witch is truly like. When Melanie Maplethorpe decides to be a witch for Halloween, Heidi decides to dress up as Melanie to get back at her. But Heidi takes her Melanie act a little too far, saying and doing things that upset her friends. Will they ever forgive her?
The Heidi Heckelbeck series is perfect for readers who want a “grown-up” format but are not quite ready for lengthy chapter books. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
It’s Halloween in Brewster, and everyone is excited—except for Heidi Heckelbeck. Heidi hates seeing people dress up as witches, as if they know what life as a witch is truly like. When Melanie Maplethorpe decides to be a witch for Halloween, Heidi decides to dress up as Melanie to get back at her. But Heidi takes her Melanie act a little too far, saying and doing things that upset her friends. Will they ever forgive her?
The Heidi Heckelbeck series is perfect for readers who want a “grown-up” format but are not quite ready for lengthy chapter books. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 31, 2019
So good!!!!!!!
October 17, 2021
Heidi Hecklebeck has a problem. She loves Halloween, but she hates those who dress up as witches. Why? She herself is one and the perception of what a witch looks like is all wrong.
So when she must decide what to be for school and trick-or-treating, she dresses up as the most wicked witch, her classmate.
A lesson is taught and learned. Friendships are tested.
Cute illustrations and a fun Halloween read!
So when she must decide what to be for school and trick-or-treating, she dresses up as the most wicked witch, her classmate.
A lesson is taught and learned. Friendships are tested.
Cute illustrations and a fun Halloween read!
January 8, 2026
Heidi didn't know what to wear of trick or treat when she was going to find her costume Melanie showed up! but Heidi could not find her costume so they went home! Heidi was trying to find someone to trick or treat with but no one was answering! Her friends were not being to nice because Heidi was not being nice! Her friends notice she used magic for her hair!
May 6, 2025
The message in this one is problematic as Melanie is allowed to be a bully but Heidi isn’t allowed to treat her as she deserves to be treated. Kids shouldn’t be taught to placate bullies and should be encouraged to defend themselves.
June 6, 2018
Her disguise was terrible.
April 26, 2026
Re-reading my childhood series: 4 stars (mentioned spoilers)
Ahh this book is Halloween-themed!! The way I CRAVE trick-or-treating at Halloween night when there’s no such tradition in where I live QwQ This is why I always enjoy Halloween stories so much more than any other festivals in children’s books. It’s like living the childhood I never had.
This time, the book is trying to explore a deeper theme compared to the last three books. Heidi is a witch, but witches often have this stereotype where they are seen as “evil”, “bad”. When other children decided to dress up as witches for Halloween without actually knowing “the first thing about real witches”, it created a dynamic where Heidi’s own identity as a witch was wrongly portrayed. It’s like the question “can I dress up as a person from ethnic minorities?”, except it’s witches here, and they’re just a myth. (Spoilers ahead!) While Melanie decided to dress up as an “evil” witch, Heidi decided to cosplay Melanie. And I really like this approach. You dress up as an evil witch? I dress up as an evil YOU. It’s smart, it’s cute.
Heidi acted like Melanie the whole day. Melanie asked why she was being mean, and Heidi said, “I’m not being mean. I’m being YOU!” Smartass Heidi lmao
I wish this book dives a little deeper into Heidi’s identity as a witch instead of going into the consequences of her acting mean all day. But I guess children would be bored reading that haha
Ahh this book is Halloween-themed!! The way I CRAVE trick-or-treating at Halloween night when there’s no such tradition in where I live QwQ This is why I always enjoy Halloween stories so much more than any other festivals in children’s books. It’s like living the childhood I never had.
This time, the book is trying to explore a deeper theme compared to the last three books. Heidi is a witch, but witches often have this stereotype where they are seen as “evil”, “bad”. When other children decided to dress up as witches for Halloween without actually knowing “the first thing about real witches”, it created a dynamic where Heidi’s own identity as a witch was wrongly portrayed. It’s like the question “can I dress up as a person from ethnic minorities?”, except it’s witches here, and they’re just a myth. (Spoilers ahead!) While Melanie decided to dress up as an “evil” witch, Heidi decided to cosplay Melanie. And I really like this approach. You dress up as an evil witch? I dress up as an evil YOU. It’s smart, it’s cute.
Heidi acted like Melanie the whole day. Melanie asked why she was being mean, and Heidi said, “I’m not being mean. I’m being YOU!” Smartass Heidi lmao
I wish this book dives a little deeper into Heidi’s identity as a witch instead of going into the consequences of her acting mean all day. But I guess children would be bored reading that haha
April 21, 2020
Heidi Heckelbeck in Disguise by Wanda Coven
Trick or treat, its Halloween!
Heidi gets upset when Melanie decides to be an ugly old witch. Since Heidi IS a real witch, she knows that not all witches are ugly or mean.
So Heidi decides to skip Halloween, until she realizes she won't get any candy. So she changes her mind and decides to dress up as Melanie.
As usual things go wrong lol and Heidi takes her Melanie act a bit too far.
Read the book to find out what happens next.
I would rate this book a 4 because it has a nice lesson in it.
back cover--It’s Halloween in Brewster, and everyone is excited—except for Heidi Heckelbeck. Heidi hates seeing people dress up as witches, as if they know what life as a witch is truly like. When Melanie Maplethorpe decides to be a witch for Halloween, Heidi decides to dress up as Melanie to get back at her. But Heidi takes her Melanie act a little too far, saying and doing things that upset her friends. Will they ever forgive her?
The Heidi Heckelbeck series is perfect for readers who want a “grown-up” format but are not quite ready for lengthy chapter books. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers
Trick or treat, its Halloween!
Heidi gets upset when Melanie decides to be an ugly old witch. Since Heidi IS a real witch, she knows that not all witches are ugly or mean.
So Heidi decides to skip Halloween, until she realizes she won't get any candy. So she changes her mind and decides to dress up as Melanie.
As usual things go wrong lol and Heidi takes her Melanie act a bit too far.
Read the book to find out what happens next.
I would rate this book a 4 because it has a nice lesson in it.
back cover--It’s Halloween in Brewster, and everyone is excited—except for Heidi Heckelbeck. Heidi hates seeing people dress up as witches, as if they know what life as a witch is truly like. When Melanie Maplethorpe decides to be a witch for Halloween, Heidi decides to dress up as Melanie to get back at her. But Heidi takes her Melanie act a little too far, saying and doing things that upset her friends. Will they ever forgive her?
The Heidi Heckelbeck series is perfect for readers who want a “grown-up” format but are not quite ready for lengthy chapter books. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers
April 7, 2023
Heidi has an opportunity to be anyone she wants to be for Halloween, a holiday she truly doesn't enjoy because of how it makes her feel when people dress up as evil witches. The perfect opportunity for revenge? To dress up as Melanie, a girl she really doesn't get along with. But what starts out as funny, gets old fast, to the point where her friends get a little tired of her 'act.' Being someone else doesn't quite turn out to be as good of an idea as she originally had thought.
Still loving this series. The ideas are really original and the spells keep the plots fun and interesting. Lots of lessons to be learned, but in a gentle and kind way. I can't wait to see what Heidi does next!
Still loving this series. The ideas are really original and the spells keep the plots fun and interesting. Lots of lessons to be learned, but in a gentle and kind way. I can't wait to see what Heidi does next!
January 19, 2019
I liked this book because it was about Halloween and there was a really good lesson. Heidi dressed up as Melanie and started acting like her. Her friends didn't like her because she was acting too mean, and that didn't feel good. It taught her that being mean doesn't feel good and that people won't like you if you are mean. Heidi apologizes to her friends and then they make up and go trick or treating together.
June 3, 2026
Melanie: is selfish, rude, mean and everyone simply lets her get away with it
Heidi: pretends to be Melanie for half a day and the principal is involved, her bffs dump her and her mom lectures her because "Melanie has feelings too. Even if they are beastly". In hindsight trying to get her to buy the clown costume was incredibly on the nose.
This seemed like a really nice children series so I'm disappointed to see such a terrible message.
Heidi: pretends to be Melanie for half a day and the principal is involved, her bffs dump her and her mom lectures her because "Melanie has feelings too. Even if they are beastly". In hindsight trying to get her to buy the clown costume was incredibly on the nose.
This seemed like a really nice children series so I'm disappointed to see such a terrible message.
March 10, 2018
2.5 stars
Another Heidi story that I read aloud because my students have thoroughly enjoyed this series. I, myself, am just glad that they're reading at all. Having so many installments in this series certainly helps to keep their interest and momentum in reading. I appreciate that.
Another Heidi story that I read aloud because my students have thoroughly enjoyed this series. I, myself, am just glad that they're reading at all. Having so many installments in this series certainly helps to keep their interest and momentum in reading. I appreciate that.
November 5, 2019
In this book of the series we find that it’s not okay to make fun of others. We also see how easy it is to fall into the patterns of those we don’t like. So it also shows cases to younger readers how to overcome. Be the bigger person.
May 8, 2023
My daughter got a kick out of this book as Heidi dresses up as Melanie. She enjoys this series and thought this book was funny. As a parent, I think a good learning lesson was in this book. So far, most of the Heidi Heckelbeck books we have read have good learning lessons for kids in them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2018
My daughter said she likes this book because it was funny.
October 3, 2018
Everyone's favorite young witch learns about kindness, friendship, and consideration in this adventure. Great for young readers.
November 6, 2019
Me ha encantado este libro , y lo recomiendo mucho
Read
March 21, 2020it is a hilarious bok. Love the part when she dressed up like Melanie
December 10, 2020
My 7yo Daughter read this in one setting...."I like this one, mom!"
July 17, 2021
cool cool cool and cool so cool.
December 9, 2021
I'm done with this series. This is all about Heidi and how she dresses up like Melanie for Halloween just to make fun of her. I lost a lot of respect for Heidi and thought this was just unpleasant.
May 1, 2022
ah yes, childhood reminiscence.
lovely.
well not in this case lol
lovely.
well not in this case lol
June 19, 2022
I liked when she made herself a princess.
July 23, 2022
It was good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2022
Read this with my 7 year old daughter. Giving it two stars just because she liked it. It was cute, attempts to teach that bullying is bad. I felt it fell short, but my daughter adored it.
January 10, 2023
Heidi didn’t like witch. But she loves Halloween especially when she gets many candies and snacks.
September 9, 2023
A easy read on a Saturday evening, a classic from my childhood also.
February 25, 2026
The idea of the spell was unique. Genius writer!
I Liked that.
I Liked that.
Read
April 17, 2026Guys, did anyone else love these books as a kid??? I read them all and just realized I haven't marked them as read. I do apologize in advance for invading your feed with all of these. Love y'all! <3
December 29, 2020
I really liked it a lot because it showed people being friends
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews