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Quick answer: If your child loves Matilda, try Roald Dahl's The BFG, The Witches and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then Frindle, The Willoughbys and A Series of Unfortunate Events. All are funny, slightly wicked stories about clever children and dreadful grown-ups.
Roald Dahl's 1988 novel follows Matilda Wormwood, a brilliant girl who loves books and has magical powers, and who uses them against her neglectful parents and the cruel headmistress Miss Trunchbull. It is dark, funny and very popular. The books below offer similar rebellious children and wicked humour.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The BFG | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | friendly giant |
| George's Marvellous Medicine | Roald Dahl | Ages 6-10 | wild recipe |
| The Twits | Roald Dahl | Ages 6-10 | nasty couple |
| The Witches | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | wicked witches |
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-12 | candy fantasy |
| James and the Giant Peach | Roald Dahl | Ages 7-11 | peach adventure |
| Fantastic Mr Fox | Roald Dahl | All ages | readers who want a quick read |
| Mr Stink | David Walliams | Ages 8-12 | unlikely friendship |
| The World's Worst Children | David Walliams | Ages 6-10 | funny short stories |
| Frindle | Andrew Clements | Ages 8-12 | clever mischief |
| Holes | Louis Sachar | Ages 9-13 | mystery and humour |
| The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | 9-13 | readers who like puzzles |
| The Willoughbys | Lois Lowry | Ages 8-12 | dark comedy |
| A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning | Lemony Snicket | 8-12 | gloomy humour |
| Coraline | Neil Gaiman | Ages 8-12 | children's horror |
1. The BFG by Roald Dahl
A girl and a giant team up against man-eating giants. Funny and inventive.
Best for: friendly giant.
2. George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl
A boy mixes a potion to cure his grandmother. Silly and dark.
Best for: wild recipe.
3. The Twits by Roald Dahl
Two horrible people play nasty tricks. Short and disgusting.
Best for: nasty couple.
4. The Witches by Roald Dahl
A boy is turned into a mouse by witches. Funny and spooky.
Best for: wicked witches.
5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlie wins a tour of Willy Wonka's factory. Silly, dark and delicious.
Best for: candy fantasy.
6. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
A boy escapes cruel aunts in a giant peach with oversized insects. Weird, funny and imaginative.
Best for: peach adventure.
7. Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl
Mr. Fox outwits three farmers to feed his family. Short and clever.
Best for: readers who want a quick read.
8. Mr Stink by David Walliams
A girl befriends a smelly tramp. Warm, funny and sweet.
Best for: unlikely friendship.
9. The World's Worst Children by David Walliams
Short, silly tales of terrible kids. Quick and illustrated.
Best for: funny short stories.
10. Frindle by Andrew Clements
A boy invents a new word and starts a movement that takes over his school. Smart, funny and quick.
Best for: clever mischief.
11. Holes by Louis Sachar
A boy is sent to a camp where he must dig holes. Clever and moving.
Best for: mystery and humour.
12. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Four clever kids go on a secret mission. Puzzles and teamwork.
Best for: readers who like puzzles.
13. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Four children try to get rid of their selfish parents. Short, sharp and funny.
Best for: dark comedy.
14. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
The Baudelaire orphans face a villainous guardian. Dark humour and a mysterious narrator.
Best for: gloomy humour.
15. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A girl finds a door to a sinister mirror world. Short, creepy and brilliant.
Best for: children's horror.
How to Choose
For more Dahl choose The BFG, The Witches or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For similar humour pick David Walliams or The Willoughbys. For clever children read Frindle, Holes or The Mysterious Benedict Society. For gloom with giggles try A Series of Unfortunate Events. Matilda is a great read-aloud, so these picks suit shared reading. Matilda was adapted into a 1996 film and a hit stage musical, and Quentin Blake's illustrations are part of the books' identity. Dahl's books remain among the most borrowed children's books in libraries.
Related: What Age Is Matilda Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Matilda about?
A gifted girl with telekinetic powers stands up to her neglectful parents and a cruel headmistress.
Who wrote it?
Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake.
When was it published?
1988.
What age is it for?
Roughly ages 7 to 12.
Is it scary?
Miss Trunchbull is frightening, but the book is funny and hopeful.
Is there a musical?
Yes, Matilda the Musical.
Is it a good read-aloud?
Yes, for families and classrooms.
What should I read next?
Try The BFG or The Witches.
Which book here is best for wicked witches?
Try The Witches by Roald Dahl, which suits readers looking for wicked witches.
Which book here is best for readers who want a quick read?
Try Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl, which suits readers looking for readers who want a quick read.
Which book here is best for clever mischief?
Try Frindle by Andrew Clements, which suits readers looking for clever mischief.
Which book here is best for dark comedy?
Try The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry, which suits readers looking for dark comedy.
Which book here is best for wild recipe?
Try George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl, which suits readers looking for wild recipe.