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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Children'S Literature

Matilda (novel)

Matilda is a 1988 children's novel by Roald Dahl about a highly intelligent young girl who is neglected by her parents and mistreated at school.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Matilda is a 1988 children's novel by Roald Dahl about a brilliant young girl neglected by her parents and mistreated at school, who discovers telekinetic powers and finds support from her teacher Miss Honey.

What it is

The story follows Matilda Wormwood, a gifted child who teaches herself to read at a very young age. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, neglect and belittle her. At school, she meets the kind Miss Honey and the cruel headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Matilda discovers she can move objects with her mind, and the novel ends with her staying with Miss Honey after her parents leave.

Key details

The book was illustrated by Quentin Blake and set in a small Buckinghamshire village in England. It emphasizes themes of intelligence, reading, justice, and the contrast between cruelty and kindness. Matilda is widely read in Canadian schools and libraries as a classic English-language children's novel.

Adaptations and legacy

Matilda became one of Dahl's best-known children's books and inspired later adaptations, including Matilda the Musical, which Roald Dahl’s official site describes as based on the book.

In short

  • Matilda is a gifted child who develops telekinetic powers.
  • Her parents neglect her; Miss Honey becomes her ally.
  • The novel highlights intelligence, reading, and justice.
  • It is widely read in Canadian schools and libraries.
Canadian angle

Matilda is widely read in Canadian schools and libraries as a classic English-language children's novel.

Quick questions

Who wrote Matilda?
Matilda was written by Roald Dahl.
When was Matilda first published?
It was first published in 1988.
Does Matilda have powers?
Yes. She discovers that she can move objects with her mind.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matilda_(novel)
    Supports: Author, setting, and early-life plot details including Matilda's precocity.
  2. Audible — https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-matilda-by-roald-dahl
    Supports: Publication year, setting, main characters, telekinesis, and ending.
  3. Roald Dahl official site — https://www.roalddahl.com/stories/matilda
    Supports: Story description and adaptation to Matilda the Musical.
  4. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/matilda/summary/
    Supports: Summary of Matilda's intelligence and family situation.
  5. American Literature — https://americanliterature.com/author/roald-dahl/book/matilda/summary
    Supports: Ending and relationship with Miss Honey.