This is a fabulous book about a young girl who is hated by her parents and has been ever since she was born. Despite this she is a genius. By the age of 4 she has already been able to take care of herself while her parents and older brother are gone. Soon she has even began to walk to the library by herself. Unfortunatley, her parents don't beleive in reading and try to encourage her to watch television instead. Thankfully for her, her father decides to send her to school at the age of 7. The principal of the school is cruel and does not seem to care for children. The only person who seems to understand Matiulda is her teacher, who helps her discover her secret powers. I won't give away anything else and let you read it for yourself!