53 pages 1 hour read

Eleanor Estes

The Hundred Dresses

Fiction | Novella | Middle Grade | Published in 1944

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin, is set in a small-town school in Connecticut and follows the story of Maddie, a girl who observes her friend Peggy frequently teasing Wanda Petronski, a Polish immigrant with only one dress. Wanda claims to have 100 dresses at home, which incites further teasing. After Wanda's mysterious disappearance, her classmates discover she is a talented artist through her 100 dress drawings submitted for a school contest. Through subsequent events, Maddie reflects on the consequences of not speaking up against bullying. This book does address bullying experienced by a child partially based on her Polish identity.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Eleanor Estes' The Hundred Dresses, lauded for its timeless themes of empathy and bullying, invites readers into a poignant narrative suitable for children and adults alike. Praised for its character depth and moral lessons, it also faces criticism for perceived simplicity and outdated cultural references. Overall, it remains a heartfelt, enduring story with significant educational value.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Hundred Dresses?

A reader who would enjoy The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes is typically an upper-elementary student (ages 8-12) who appreciates stories about friendship, empathy, and social issues. Fans of Louise Fitzhugh's Harriet the Spy and Judy Blume's Blubber will find resonance in its thought-provoking narrative.

RecommendedReading Age

6-10years

Lexile Level

870L

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Children's Literature

Topics

Bullying

Themes

Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt