10+ Best Roald Dahl Books for 9-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the lookout for the perfect read that will captivate your 9-year-old's imagination? Look no further than Roald Dahl books for 9-year-olds, a treasure trove of whimsical adventures that are just right for young readers. Dive into this blog as we explore various lists of Roald Dahl books that promise to enchant and entertain. Keep reading to discover which of Dahl’s magical stories will become your child’s next favorite!
Table of Contents
Fun Roald Dahl Books for 9-Year-Olds
- Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
- Synopsis: This story follows Matilda, a brilliant and sensitive girl who uses her talents to overcome neglectful parents and a terrifying school principal.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates intelligence and creativity, showing kids how they can use their minds to overcome challenges.
- Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood or underappreciated, and those who love stories of triumph over adversity.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: Young Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory, which is a journey of magical and moral discoveries.
- Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative setting and eccentric characters, while also imparting lessons about greed and gratitude.
- Perfect for: Children with a sweet tooth for adventure and whimsical tales.
- The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A little girl named Sophie befriends the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) and they set out on an adventure to stop the other giants from eating children.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story of friendship and courage, filled with unique language play and humor.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about friendships with magical elements and those who like rooting for the underdog.
- Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Adventure, Animal Fiction
- Synopsis: Mr. Fox uses his wits and cunning to outsmart three mean farmers and secure food for his family.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches resourcefulness and problem-solving, all wrapped up in a fun and lively tale.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and clever tricks, or anyone who enjoys a good caper.
- James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A young boy named James escapes from his gloomy life with his mean aunts by embarking on a journey inside a giant peach with a group of friendly insects.
- Why we recommend this book: This tale encourages adventure and bravery, and is filled with creative characters and situations that stretch the imagination.
- Perfect for: Children who dream of adventure and have a fondness for insects and other quirky characters.
Educational Roald Dahl Books for 9-Year-Olds
- The Witches by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
- Synopsis: The story is about a young boy who stumbles upon a secret gathering of witches, who despise children and have a plan to eliminate them from the world.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, understanding of themes such as good vs. evil, bravery, and resilience.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, while also teaching important lessons about courage and standing up against wrongdoing.
- Perfect for: Kids who love a good scare with a strong moral foundation, and those who enjoy tales of adventure and heroism.
- George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
- Synopsis: George decides to make a medicine to cure his grandmother’s grumpiness, but the concoction leads to some gigantic surprises.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and scientific curiosity, wrapped up in a humorous and engaging story.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are interested in science and experiments, or anyone who enjoys stories with a bit of quirky humor and unexpected outcomes.
- Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Adventure, Drama
- Synopsis: Danny and his father devise a plan to sabotage the pheasant hunt of the wealthy, mean Mr. Hazell.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Strategic thinking, empathy, understanding of social justice issues.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a story of father-son bonding and clever tactics, promoting values of courage and standing up for what's right.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy tales of adventure and cunning plans, as well as those who appreciate stories about family connections and justice.
Challenging Roald Dahl Books for 9-Year-Olds
- The Twits by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. Twit are two ugly, mean old twits who spend their days playing nasty tricks on each other. Eventually, the Twits get a taste of their own medicine from the Muggle-Wump monkeys and the Roly-Poly bird.
- Why this book is challenging: The book uses irony and dark humor, which requires a higher level of comprehension and the ability to understand subtleties in language.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, engaging read that teaches important lessons about kindness and the consequences of one's actions.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy dark humor and morally rich stories.
- The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy
- Synopsis: A young boy, Billy, meets a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey who together form the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. They embark on an adventure involving the Duke of Hampshire and a burglar.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative introduces business concepts and vocabulary that are more advanced, making it a stimulating read for young minds.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes teamwork and entrepreneurship through a whimsical and engaging story.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in animals and adventurous business ventures.
- Esio Trot by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Mr. Hoppy devises a plan to win the heart of his neighbor, Mrs. Silver, by helping her tortoise grow using a fake magical spell.
- Why this book is challenging: The book plays with language (the title itself is "tortoise" spelled backwards), encouraging readers to think about words and meanings in a creative way.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a charming story that combines humor with a sweet message about love and affection.
- Perfect for: Children who love animals and puzzles, and those exploring the complexities of affection and friendship.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're diving into the whimsical world of Roald Dahl with your 9-year-old, you're in for a treat! To make the most out of this reading adventure, here are some fun and effective exercises that can help develop strong reading habits. These activities are tailored specifically for young readers and are perfect for enjoying Dahl's magical stories.
- Create a Character Map
- What it is: Draw a map that links different characters based on their relationships and roles in the story.
- How it helps: Enhances understanding of character development and interactions.
- Tips: Use a large poster paper and markers to make it colorful and engaging.
- Design a New Book Cover
- What it is: Create a new cover for the book using drawing materials or digital tools.
- How it helps: Encourages creativity and gives insight into the main themes and characters of the book.
- Tips: Think about the most exciting part of the book and try to depict that on the cover.
- Summarize Chapters
- What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after reading it.
- How it helps: Improves comprehension and retention of the plot.
- Tips: Keep summaries short and to the point, ideally no more than three sentences.
- Role-Play Interviews
- What it is: Pretend to be a journalist interviewing the main characters of the book.
- How it helps: Develops deeper understanding of characters and their motivations.
- Tips: Prepare questions in advance that relate to the character’s actions and decisions in the story.
- Vocabulary Hunt
- What it is: Identify new and interesting words in the book and look up their meanings.
- How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of the language used by Roald Dahl.
- Tips: Keep a notebook specifically for new words and try to use them in sentences.
- Predict the Plot
- What it is: Make predictions about what will happen next after each chapter.
- How it helps: Stimulates critical thinking and engagement with the story.
- Tips: Discuss your predictions with others reading the book and see who gets closest to the actual plot.
By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only enjoy Roald Dahl's stories more, but you'll also build lasting reading skills. So, grab your favorite Dahl book, pick an exercise, and start exploring today! Happy reading!