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Books Like Matilda

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

These books are for readers who backed Matilda’s intelligence, enjoyed the school setting and sharp comedy, or wanted another child to challenge an unfair adult world.

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12 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

Match the next choice to the strongest appeal: school trouble, a highly capable child, comic punishment, or a touch of magic. Readers who found the cruelty uncomfortable may prefer the same underdog pattern with warmer adults.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl · Chapter Book · ages 6–9 · courage and humour
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Awful Auntie
David Walliams · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · courage and humour
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The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith · Chapter Book · ages 5–8 · courage and family
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A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett · Classic · ages 8–12 · courage and imagination
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Pig Heart Boy
Malorie Blackman · Novel · ages 10–14 · courage and family
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A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken · Chapter Book · ages 6–9 · imagination and wonder
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Fantastic Mr Fox book cover
Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
First published in 1970, Fantastic Mr Fox is a chapter book by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include courage, humour, perseverance and family.
Why it fits: another title by Roald Dahl, the same chapter book format and shared themes of courage and perseverance.
Chapter Book1970
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Awful Auntie book cover
Awful Auntie
David Walliams
Ages 8–11
Awful Auntie
David Walliams · Tony Ross
For readers interested in courage, humour and justice, compare Awful Auntie by David Walliams. It is illustrated by Tony Ross. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of courage and justice and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book2014
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The Hodgeheg book cover
The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith
Ages 5–8
The Hodgeheg
Dick King-Smith
The Hodgeheg, a chapter book by Dick King-Smith, is selected for children aged 5 to 8. Compare it with other books exploring courage, family and perseverance.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of courage and perseverance and overlapping age guidance for 5–8.
Chapter Book1987
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A Little Princess book cover
A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Ages 8–12
A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Little Princess, a classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is selected for children aged 8 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring courage, imagination, kindness and perseverance.
Why it fits: shared themes of courage and imagination and overlapping age guidance for 8–12.
Classic1905
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Pig Heart Boy book cover
Pig Heart Boy
Malorie Blackman
Ages 10–14
Pig Heart Boy
Malorie Blackman
On the shelf for children aged 10 to 14: Pig Heart Boy, a novel by Malorie Blackman. It connects with courage, family, justice and perseverance.
Why it fits: shared themes of courage and justice and overlapping age guidance for 10–14.
Novel1997
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A Necklace of Raindrops book cover
A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken
Ages 6–9
A Necklace of Raindrops
Joan Aiken · Jan Pienkowski
A Necklace of Raindrops, a chapter book by Joan Aiken, is selected for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Jan Pienkowski. Compare it with other books exploring imagination and wonder.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of imagination and overlapping age guidance for 6–9.
Chapter Book1968
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Bill's New Frock book cover
Bill's New Frock
Anne Fine
Ages 7–10
Bill's New Frock
Anne Fine
Bill's New Frock, a chapter book by Anne Fine, is selected for children aged 7 to 10. Compare it with other books exploring humour, justice and self-reliance.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of justice and overlapping age guidance for 7–10.
Chapter Book1989
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First Term at Malory Towers book cover
First Term at Malory Towers
Enid Blyton
Ages 8–11
First Term at Malory Towers
Enid Blyton
For readers interested in friendship and perseverance, compare First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of perseverance and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book1946
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George's Marvellous Medicine book cover
George's Marvellous Medicine
Roald Dahl
Ages 6–9
George's Marvellous Medicine
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
On the shelf for children aged 6 to 9: George's Marvellous Medicine, a chapter book by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It connects with humour, imagination and courage.
Why it fits: another title by Roald Dahl, the same chapter book format and shared themes of imagination and courage.
Chapter Book1981
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Mr Stink book cover
Mr Stink
David Walliams
Ages 7–10
Mr Stink
David Walliams · Quentin Blake
First published in 2009, Mr Stink is a chapter book by David Walliams for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include kindness, friendship, courage and justice.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of courage and justice and overlapping age guidance for 7–10.
Chapter Book2009
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The Sheep-Pig book cover
The Sheep-Pig
Dick King-Smith
Ages 6–10
The Sheep-Pig
Dick King-Smith
For readers interested in kindness, perseverance and courage, compare The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith. It is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 10.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of perseverance and courage and overlapping age guidance for 6–10.
Chapter Book1983
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Five on a Treasure Island book cover
Five on a Treasure Island
Enid Blyton
Ages 7–11
Five on a Treasure Island
Enid Blyton
On the shelf for children aged 7 to 11: Five on a Treasure Island, a chapter book by Enid Blyton. It connects with adventure, friendship and courage.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of courage and overlapping age guidance for 7–11.
Chapter Book1942
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