Heidi Heckelbeck in Disguise

Heidi Heckelbeck #4

by Wanda Coven, Priscilla Burris (Illustrations)

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.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, 2nd Grade, Juvenile, Middle Grade, Magic

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2012

Reviews

[CHLOE PARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!!!!!!!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Rhyme Owens · Rating 1 out of 5]

Her disguise was terrible.

[grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Veronica Eberlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea behind this easy to read chapter books for beginning readers (or beginning independent readers) but I felt the message in this installment was tricky for a young reader. The idea behind this book is that the young protagonist, Heidi, decides to be the class bully as her Halloween costume. She serves the bully the same kind of treatment the bully (Melanie) has served other characters and then is challenged to reflect on this behavior, work on empathy and apologize— this part I liked. What I didn’t like is the bully stays the same and there is no recourse for her in the book. Why is only Heidi challenged for being mean on this one occasion and not the bully Melanie who is routinely minimizing others? And I get it, we need static characters to highlight the change in others—but on the road to this revelation there is a lot of teasing and name calling “weirdo, dumb, doofus.” I am a bit more strict with my kids with using positive language — so I’m sure these words are not so bad to a certain audience.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lia · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[WriteTheVision · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Elisha Blade · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Julie Ann Cordero · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter said she likes this book because it was funny.

[Ellen Zarate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone's favorite young witch learns about kindness, friendship, and consideration in this adventure. Great for young readers.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

silly

[Nerea :D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha encantado este libro , y lo recomiendo mucho

[Sunny Kim]

it is a hilarious bok. Love the part when she dressed up like Melanie

[Tiff Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7yo Daughter read this in one setting...."I like this one, mom!"

[Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

cool cool cool and cool so cool.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Book Dragon · Rating 2 out of 5]

ah yes, childhood reminiscence.
lovely.
well not in this case lol

[Kinzlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when she made herself a princess.

[Adam Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good

[Jen Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Hikari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heidi didn’t like witch. But she loves Halloween especially when she gets many candies and snacks.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A easy read on a Saturday evening, a classic from my childhood also.

[Mahsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of the spell was unique. Genius writer!
I Liked that.

[Arin Kate (Trying my best, but really stressed)]

Guys, 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