Matilda

Author: Roald Dahl

Title: Matilda

Illustrator: none

Genre: Chapter Book

Subgenre: Fantasy

Theme: Overcoming Obstacles

Primary Character: Matilda, Miss Honey

Secondary Characters: Miss Trunchbull, Matilda’s parents

Award(s): none

Date of Publication: 1998

Publication Company: Puffin

Summary: Matilda is a very, very intelligent kid. She is just 4 or 5 years old, but she already has a very advanced mind. She loves reading books and seems to be a math genius. Unfortunately, she has a very mean and problematic family. Her parents hate her, and they neglect her all the time.  She goes to school and meets the terrifying Miss Trunchbull. Miss Trunchbull runs the whole school, and she is feared by everybody, even by Matilda's teacher Miss Honey.  Matilda hates Miss Trunchbull, and so does Miss Honey. Matilda discovers that she has the power to move objects with her mind. She uses this power to scare Miss Trunchbull away. It turns out that Miss Trunchbull is actually Miss Honey's aunt. She took care of Miss Honey when she was still little, after her mommy died. Miss Trunchbull is very abusive towards her, and she became even more atrocious when Miss Honey's father died.  Matilda uses her amazing power against Miss Trunchbull. She fools her into thinking that Miss Honey's late father has come to haunt her for what she has done.

Use with students:  I believe younger students would enjoy this book very much.  It would be a great way to introduce fantasy that is somewhat believable.