# Matilda

**Author:** Roald Dahl
**Lexile:** 840L
**Grade range:** Grades 3–6
**Age range:** 8–12
**First published:** 1988
**Page count:** 240
**Genre:** Middle Grade Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9780142410370`
**ISBN-10:** `014241037X`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/matilda
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## 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.

## Themes

- intelligence
- overcoming neglect
- teacher-student bond
- justice

## Content notes

- child abuse
- cruel adults

Common Sense Media age recommendation: 8+

## Where this book is assigned

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 exemplar](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 exemplar](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)

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