Matilda by Roald Dahl illustrated by Quentin Blake*

I read this aloud to my boys, and we liked it so much we read it throughout the day (usually we read just before bed).  Mr. Dahl is a superb, captivating writer.  Some books are painful and difficult to read aloud, but the words from this book easily roll off the tongue.  It was a delight to read aloud!

5 1/2 year old Matilda is a genius.  Her family, however, disregards her gifts.  When she enters school, her teacher, Miss Honey, recognizes her intelligence and soon befriends her.  Life at school would be wonderful except the school's headmistress, Miss Trunchbull,  is a terror.  Her behavior is so unbelievable parents do not believe their children's complaints plus the teachers fear her so do not challenge her.
Then Miss Honey confides in Matilda about her childhood and Matilda knows she needs to do something to rescue Miss Honey from her plight.
We will soon watch the DVD to compare it to the book.
*Highly recommend but read the warnings.
-I own this book.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Warnings: Miss Trunchbull is cruel and physically abuses the students (in atypical, grandiose ways-like holding them up by their ears, throwing them by their pigtails etc); suicide is mentioned; inferred murder; the word a** is mentioned; Matilda's dad is crook and boasts about his lies and cheating lifestyle.