Cover of Matilda

Matilda

by Roald Dahl

Matilda by Roald Dahl is assigned in US schools at grades 3–6, with a Lexile measure of 840L. It appears across 8 curriculum references and 7 states, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.

This page shows where Matilda is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.

Lexile
840L
Grade range
Grades 3–6
Difficulty for grade
Above the grade 2–3 band (420–820L)
Age range
Ages 8–12
Pages
240
Reading time
about 4h 25m (est.)
First published
1988
Genre
Middle Grade Fiction
ISBN-13
9780142410370

Reading difficulty: At 840L, Matilda reads above the typical 420–820L text-complexity range for 3rd grade (Common Core Appendix A) — a stretch text that may need scaffolding for the youngest assigned readers.

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About this book

A brilliant neglected girl discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to rescue her beloved teacher Miss Honey from the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Dahl's late masterpiece appears on state-recommended reading lists for grades 3-6 across the US.

Why widely assigned

This Middle Grade Fiction title, reads at middle-grade prose complexity, typically at grades 3–6. Written in the 1980s; pairs with curriculum units on intelligence and overcoming neglect; cited across 8 curriculum frameworks.

Themes

intelligence · overcoming neglect · teacher-student bond · justice

Content notes

child abuse · cruel adults

Common Sense Media recommends age 8+.

Where this book is assigned

Similar grade-level books

See all books like Matilda→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Common questions

What grade level is Matilda?
Matilda is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–6, with a Lexile measure of 840L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
What is the Lexile level of Matilda?
Matilda has a Lexile measure of 840L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
How long does it take to read Matilda?
It takes about 4h 25m to read Matilda (240 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 265 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
Is Matilda hard to read for 3rd grade?
At 840L, Matilda reads above the typical 420–820L text-complexity range for 3rd grade (Common Core Appendix A) — a stretch text that may need scaffolding for the youngest assigned readers. Lexile measures text complexity, not thematic maturity — check the content notes for age-appropriateness separately.
What curricula assign Matilda?
Matilda appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA), Great Stone Face Book Award, Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, and 5 others. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Why this book is on this list

Each dimension below is sourced from a public reference. The full framework is documented on the classification standard page.

Lexile measure
840L — sourced from MetaMetrics’ Lexile Hub.
Grade band
Grades 3–6 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 8 curricula on this site (see “Where assigned” above for primary-source links).
State-level evidence
Cited in 7 states ELA frameworks or DOE list (see citations above).
Removal / banning records
No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
Seasonal / contextual tags
Tagged for: award-winner, book-club.