Matilda

Matilda 

• Genre: Fiction; fantasy; children's literature 
• Originally Published: 1988 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 840L; grades 3-5 
• Structure/Length: 21 chapters; approximately 256 pages; approximately 4 hours, 18 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist, Matilda Wormwood, is a young girl with extraordinary intelligence and telekinetic powers. She faces neglect and cruelty from her family and the tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, of her school. Matilda’s central conflict involves using her intellect and powers to stand up for herself and her friends, bringing about justice for those wronged by Miss Trunchbull. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Child neglect and abuse; bullying; depictions of cruel and violent behavior by adults towards children; violence including murder (backstory; alluded to by character); mention of suicide; name-calling and insults

Roald Dahl, Author 

• Bio: Born in 1916; died in 1990; British novelist, short story writer, poet, and screenwriter; popular children’s author; known for wit, dark humor, and imaginative plots; often featured children overcoming villainous adults 
• Other Works: James and the Giant Peach (1961); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964); The BFG (1982); The Witches (1983) 
• Awards: The 1988 Winner of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups Award 

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Kids Are Worthwhile
• Pushing Back Against Evil
• Finding a New Family

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: