Matilda

What a fun read… the children’s book Matilda by Roald Dahl.  Matilda, the lead character, grows up in a family where her mom and dad ignore, and actually abhor, their daughter while they love their son!  Matilda is a gifted young woman, intelligent and becomes an avid reader when her mom leaves her at home to play Bingo during the afternoons each day.  Matilda’s academic talents are noted when she enters kindergarten and her teacher, Ms. Honey, recognizes the talents she has, especially her reading abilities based on the many books she read as a child.  Ms. Honey goes to the headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (an ominous name clearly indicating some bad news for Matilda ahead!).  Miss Trunchbull is not at all excited to hear from Ms. Honey and in fact heard from Matilda’s father prior to her arrival to school that she would be “a student to watch” based on her “bad behavior” at home.  Ms. Honey can’t believe that this brilliant well-mannered little girl could be as Miss Trunchbull says Matilda’s father suggested.   As the story unfolds we learn how horrible Matilda’s parents are with her and show no care or concern for her and only care about watching the “telly” and eating dinner (a tv dinner).  But the family and Miss Trunchbull are in for a real surprise when Matilda is pushed by the evil headmistress and is able to develop “mystical powers” that allow her to use “magic” and as the tale unfolds she is able to save Miss Honey and herself from the evil headmistress and her own parents.  Of course all good stories have a great twist and “a happy ending” and in this case, both are true.  Matilda’s special “powers” save her from having to leave town (her father’s illegal business dealings finally are revealed and the family leaves town before her father is arrested) and finally Matilda is able to support Ms. Honey and reveal the secrets that held Miss Trunchbull as headmistress.  All ends well as Matilda finds a new “parent” and the school will finally be run as it should be.  A fun read and going to see the Broadway rendition of the show in a few weeks makes it even better!  Kids will love this one.