Module 2: Matilda

Summary: Born into a family of cretins, Matilda turns to the library and books for comfort and education. By the time her family remembers to put her in school, she has already developed into a clever, intelligent girl who loves to learn and play tricks on her family. When she arrives at Crunchem Hall Primary School, she delights at her amazing teacher Miss Jennifer Honey whose gentle nature is offset by the horrible headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Miss Trunchbull is a power crazed bully who regularly throws kids out of windows. While at the school, Matilda begins to develop strange powers that she uses on Miss Trunchbull. When she discovers the Trunchbull has usurped Miss Honey's inheritance, Matilda uses her powers to drive Miss Trunchbull away and convinces her to return the school to Miss Honey. As Matilda's parents are fleeing the country, Matilda pleads with them to let Miss Honey take custody of her and they agree. Together, Miss Honey and Matilda form a new family and life together.

Citation:

Dahl, R., & Blake, Q. (2007). Matilda. New York: Puffin Books.

Impressions: I am a little bit embarrassed that I never read this book. I love Roald Dahl and I can see why this is an instant classic. It's biting satire of middle class values and anti-intellectualism makes it a perfect book for children and adults alike. As a person who believes that family is more than blood, I also liked the relationship between Matilda and Miss Honey.

Reviews:

 Gr 4-6 Dahl's latest piece of madcap mayhem is a story filled with the elements that his fans cravesardonic humor, the evilest of villians, the most virtuous of heroines, and children who eventually defeat those big bad grown-ups. In this book, Matilda isn't just smart, she is `èxtra-ordinary. . .sensitive and brilliant,'' reading Great Expectations as a four year old. Unfortunately, her TV-addict parents neither recognize nor appreciate their daughter's genius. Neglected Matilda finds mentors in librarian Mrs. Phelps and teacher Miss Honey, a woman as sweet as her name implies. Miss Honey, Matilda, and other students are tormented by the child-hating headmistress Trunchbull. Trunchbull has also cheated orphaned niece Miss Honey out of her rightful inheritance, leaving the teacher in extreme poverty. Having practiced revenge techniques on her father, Matilda now applies her untapped mental powers to rid the school of Trunchbull and restore Miss Honey's financial security. If the conclusion is a bit too rapid, the transitions between Matilda's home and school life a bit choppy, and the writing style not as even as in some of Dahl's earlier titles, young readers won't mind. Dahl has written another fun and funny book with a child's perspective on an adult world. As usual, Blake's comical sketches are the perfect complement to the satirical humor. This may not be a teacher's or principal's first choice as a classroom read-aloud, but children will be waiting in line to read it. Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Lib . , Wis.

Piehler, H. (1988, October). Matilda (Book Review) (Undetermined). School Library Journal, 35, 143-143. Retrieved January 31, 2016, from Book Review Digest Plus (H.W. Wilson). 

Library Use: I was use this as a way to discuss the use of satire and middle class values. One of the recurring themes in the book is anti-intellectualism so I would contrast that with the freedom that Matilda achieves through reading.