The first book on our summer reading list that we finished was Matilda by Roald Dahl (Affiliate Link. Thanks for supporting this site).
I had never personally read this book so it was new for all of us.
My kids really got into this book and some nights would beg me to read “just one more chapter”. That’s always a good sign. 🙂
I have to admit that I was a little surprised at the violence of Miss Trunchbull (the school’s headmistress), how negligent Matilda’s parents were, Matilda’s powers, and some of the language (I did change a few words as I was reading.).
Even so, the kindness and caring of Miss Honey, the intelligence of Matilda, the friends that Matilda made, and the ending were able to help balance out the story.
I know that this book isn’t without controversy and I can see why. However, I felt like the good outweighed the bad and I am glad I read it with my kids because it sparked some great discussions. I think they may appreciate my husband and I even more now. 🙂
When we finished the story I was still trying to come up with a culminating activity to do with the kids. I finally settled upon a trip to the library because the library was where Matilda got all of the books she read.
The library we went to is the same one I worked at all through college. We hadn’t been in a long time, probably not since last summer, so it was fun for the kids to get to go there.
In addition to our library trip, my kids took an online quiz about the book and did very well. I let them work together so it was more fun.
We also watched the movie (Gotta love Netflix!) so we could compare it with the book. While my kids loved the movie, they pointed out all of the differences between the book and movie while we watched.
My kids all really liked Matilda and, with the varying ages of my kids, that is saying a lot. Have you ever read Matilda?
