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Matilda is an original Finnish project for young book lovers. Now over 200 students (11-15 yr.) study literature in virtual study groups.

The use of communication technologies gives students an opportunity to connect with other students to discuss their reading experiences. The project is spreading – more and more teachers and schools are joining the literature circle, now even in other countries, like Estonia.

Besides reading books and discussing them in virtual groups the students have gained a lot of experience in telling about the project in national and international conferences. They also publish collaboratively an on-line literature magazine.

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 The program started in Espoo, Finland in 1997 - 1998 with 32 Matilda students from 6 different schools. In every home group there were students from 3 - 4 different schools. The home groups communicated by using e-mail.

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 The following school year new schools and students in Espoo wanted to join in. Then there were over 80 students from 11 schools. All the students were 10 - 12 years old and most of them were girls.

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The students come from different parts of Finland – most are from southern Finland but some live 170 km north of the Arctic Circle in very scarcely inhabited areas.

Now there are students from different age groups and different parts of Finland studying literature in virtual groups. They still go to their local libraries to find the books, but instead of e-mail they use virtual discussion area for exchanging ideas.