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Matilda, by Roald Dahl, narrated by Kate Winslet, 2014, New York, NY: Penguin Audio. 4 hours and 18 minutes.
Age/Interest Level: 7-12 years
Lexile Level: 840L
Awards: Audie Award for Children’s Titles (2014)
Reader Annotation: Matilda is an exceptional young girl, even though her parents are rotten to the core. When Trunchbull, headmistress of her school, begins her own reign of terror, Matilda discovers a power deep within herself to fight back against injustice.
Plot Summary: Matilda is exceptionally brilliant, which is remarkable considering all of the adult figures in her life seem to be conspiring against her. Her parents are rotten. Trunchbull, headmistress of her school, is a downright terror, throwing children out of windows. The only one who seems to notice anything positive in her is Miss Honey, her wonderful teacher. However, when Trunchbull accuses Matilda of something she didn’t do, the girl gets mad enough that she unlocks something deep within herself and discovers she can move objects with her mind. After discovering how miserable Trunchbull has made Miss Honey, Matilda hatches a plan to get rid of her once and for all. Kate Winslet serves as a delightful storyteller here, going from the sweet Matilda to a hardened Trunchbull in one breath. Some of her sweetness and matter-of-fact tone eases some of the imagery which might otherwise give certain children pause.
Critical Evaluation: Roald Dahl is the master of creating child characters who seek justice, and there is no difference here. Matilda is obvious to the readers as a wonderful child who just has rotten luck with the people she was born to. In this case, it’s not only good versus evil but brains versus willful ignorance. Kate Winslet is a wonderful narrator for this story and she seems to relish in adapting to so many characters so quickly. She pauses to highlight certain parts of the story, allowing the listener ample time to catch on to the joke and she seems completely at ease with Dahl’s world.
Why Included: Dahl’s work oftentimes feel like melodramas, so there’s something particularly exciting about an audiobook version. In this case, a brilliant actress takes the story and brings it to life, making it a worthy addition.
Age/Interest Level: 7-12 years
Lexile Level: 840L
Awards: Audie Award for Children’s Titles (2014)
Reader Annotation: Matilda is an exceptional young girl, even though her parents are rotten to the core. When Trunchbull, headmistress of her school, begins her own reign of terror, Matilda discovers a power deep within herself to fight back against injustice.
Plot Summary: Matilda is exceptionally brilliant, which is remarkable considering all of the adult figures in her life seem to be conspiring against her. Her parents are rotten. Trunchbull, headmistress of her school, is a downright terror, throwing children out of windows. The only one who seems to notice anything positive in her is Miss Honey, her wonderful teacher. However, when Trunchbull accuses Matilda of something she didn’t do, the girl gets mad enough that she unlocks something deep within herself and discovers she can move objects with her mind. After discovering how miserable Trunchbull has made Miss Honey, Matilda hatches a plan to get rid of her once and for all. Kate Winslet serves as a delightful storyteller here, going from the sweet Matilda to a hardened Trunchbull in one breath. Some of her sweetness and matter-of-fact tone eases some of the imagery which might otherwise give certain children pause.
Critical Evaluation: Roald Dahl is the master of creating child characters who seek justice, and there is no difference here. Matilda is obvious to the readers as a wonderful child who just has rotten luck with the people she was born to. In this case, it’s not only good versus evil but brains versus willful ignorance. Kate Winslet is a wonderful narrator for this story and she seems to relish in adapting to so many characters so quickly. She pauses to highlight certain parts of the story, allowing the listener ample time to catch on to the joke and she seems completely at ease with Dahl’s world.
Why Included: Dahl’s work oftentimes feel like melodramas, so there’s something particularly exciting about an audiobook version. In this case, a brilliant actress takes the story and brings it to life, making it a worthy addition.