Matilda
by Roald Dahl
Matilda by Roald Dahl is assigned in US schools at grades 3–6, with a Lexile measure of 840L. It appears across 1 curriculum reference, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.
This page shows where Matilda is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.
- Lexile
- 840L
- Grade range
- Grades 3–6
- Difficulty for grade
- Above the grade 2–3 band (420–820L)
- Age range
- Ages 8–12
- Pages
- 240
- Reading time
- about 4h 25m (est.)
- First published
- 1988
- Genre
- Middle Grade Fiction
- ISBN-13
- 9780142410370
Reading difficulty: At 840L, Matilda reads above the typical 420–820L text-complexity range for 3rd grade (Common Core Appendix A) — a stretch text that may need scaffolding for the youngest assigned readers.
Where to find this book
Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook
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About this book
A brilliant neglected girl discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to rescue her beloved teacher Miss Honey from the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Dahl's late masterpiece appears on state-recommended reading lists for grades 3-6 across the US.
Why widely assigned
This Middle Grade Fiction title, reads at middle-grade prose complexity, typically at grades 3–6. Written in the 1980s; pairs with curriculum units on intelligence and overcoming neglect; cited across 1 curriculum framework.
Themes
intelligence · overcoming neglect · teacher-student bond · justice
Content notes
child abuse · cruel adults
Common Sense Media recommends age 8+.
Where this book is assigned
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
Similar grade-level books
The GiverLois Lowry · 760L
The Hunger GamesSuzanne Collins · 810L
Charlotte's WebE.B. White · 680L
The BFGRoald Dahl · 720L
See all books like Matilda→ — matched on theme + reading level.
Common questions
- What grade level is Matilda?
- Matilda is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–6, with a Lexile measure of 840L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What is the Lexile level of Matilda?
- Matilda has a Lexile measure of 840L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- How long does it take to read Matilda?
- It takes about 4h 25m to read Matilda (240 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 265 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
- Is Matilda hard to read for 3rd grade?
- At 840L, Matilda reads above the typical 420–820L text-complexity range for 3rd grade (Common Core Appendix A) — a stretch text that may need scaffolding for the youngest assigned readers. Lexile measures text complexity, not thematic maturity — check the content notes for age-appropriateness separately.
- What curricula assign Matilda?
- Matilda appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Why this book is on this list
Each dimension below is sourced from a public reference. The full framework is documented on the classification standard page.
- Lexile measure
- 840L — sourced from MetaMetrics’ Lexile Hub.
- Grade band
- Grades 3–6 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
- Curriculum alignment
- Cited in 1 curriculum on this site (see “Where assigned” above for primary-source links).
- State-level evidence
- Not yet documented in a state-level framework on this site.
- Removal / banning records
- No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
- Seasonal / contextual tags
- No seasonal or program-specific tags on this book.