Childhood favorite

Matilda is one of my favorite childhood stories that I have read at least a dozen times and still love today. Dahl is able to capture the mind of a child and create a fantastical story that captures not just your attention but your heart as well. You root for Matilda, you put yourself in Matilda's shoes, and you get lost in the world that he creates. 

I would make a cup of hot cocoa and curl up with pillows and a blanket in the corner of my room and read Matilda. Her love of books matched mine, and although I wasn't quite as young as her character in the story, I felt like I was just like her. Her courage and intelligence made me love her immediately and seeing her overcome all the obstacles in her path from happiness motivated me to pursue my own passions just as ardently. 

Aside from relating to Matilda, the story itself was just plain funny and engaging. You wish you could have her powers and you don't feel one ounce of remorse for Miss Trunchbull or Matilda's parents at the end. The characters are all exaggerated and in the extremes, but you still feel part of this world and empathize for the Matilda and root against her parents and Miss Trunchbull. I never get bored of reading this book even though I've read it over and over again.