Book Review: Matilda

By John Rodgers

The slogan for the Sequoyah Library Systems 2020 summer reading program is Imagine Your Story: a celebration of fantasy and fairy tales that empowers all ages to take charge of their own literacy quest. That genre normally inspires mental pictures of knights and dragons, but also relevant is this modern day fantasy that belongs on any library reading log: Roald Dahls Matilda. Some may skip the book in favor of its movie adaptation (tip: the library has both!), but those who do will miss out on certain subplots, a slightly different ending, and more of Dahls signature warmth.

Matilda Wormwood is a sweet-natured booklover whose talents and thirst for knowledge go ignored by her shady family. At school, she forms a close friendship with her teacher, Miss Honey, whose connection to the vile headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, runs deeper than expected. When Matilda discovers her brain is capable of telekinetic powers that can foil Trunchbulls abusive teaching methods, the ruthless headmistress is unsure what to make of the whimsical mischief that transpires. The reader, however, knows exactly whats going on and will undoubtedly be rooting for a happy ending to Matildas underdog story.

Those who wish to experience (or revisit) Matilda have a variety of options to do so. The Sequoyah Regional Library System has multiple copies available for check out, which can be requested online or by phone and picked up near the librarys entrance as part of their contact-free Sequoyah Sidewalk Service. Readers who favor digital downloads can use their library card number to access eBook and audiobook versions of the story on Sequoyahs e-Library, using OverDrive and Libby, or on the librarys website with eRead Kids: a digital collection of over 15,000 titles. As with all public library services, each of these methods is free of cost.

However its digested, readers of all ages should add Matilda to their summer reading list, if only to relish a story that has captured the affections of a generation.

John Rodgers is the community engagement manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System. 770-479-3090, x320. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.orga