If your middle-grade reader liked Matilda, they might also like…

• The Wild Robot

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon

• Fortunately, the Milk

Each story celebrates clever, resilient children who use wit, imagination, and courage to stand up to unfair or puzzling worlds.

Here’s what they’re about

Matilda

Matilda is a brilliant little girl with a love of books and a sharp sense of justice — unfortunately, she’s surrounded by adults who don’t appreciate either. From her neglectful parents to the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda faces unfairness at every turn. But she’s not alone. With the help of her kind teacher Miss Honey and her own surprising abilities, Matilda learns to stand up for herself and others. Roald Dahl’s classic story celebrates intelligence, courage, and the joy of outsmarting bullies.

The Wild Robot

When a robot named Roz is washed ashore on a remote island, she must learn how to survive in the wilderness. At first feared by the animals, Roz slowly observes, adapts, and begins to understand the natural world around her. When she becomes the unexpected guardian of a gosling, Roz discovers what it truly means to care, belong, and love. Told in short, accessible chapters, The Wild Robot blends science, nature, and emotion in a thoughtful story about survival, kindness, and finding family in unexpected places.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Every year, a baby is left in the forest as an offering to a feared witch — but the witch, Xan, is actually kind and loving. When she accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, the child becomes magically powerful. As Luna grows, secrets unravel, magic awakens, and the truth about the forest and its people comes to light. Richly written and deeply moving, this fantasy weaves together love, sacrifice, and hope in a fairy-tale-like story about fear, truth, and the power of compassion.

Fortunately, The Milk

When Dad goes out to buy milk, he’s gone far longer than expected — and returns with an unbelievable explanation involving time travel, pirates, dinosaurs, and alien abductions. As he recounts his wildly imaginative adventure, his children must decide whether to believe him. Bursting with absurd humour, playful storytelling, and joyful exaggeration, this short novel celebrates imagination and the fun of storytelling itself. It’s a fast, hilarious read that delights kids who love silliness, surprises, and stories that refuse to take themselves seriously.