53 pages • 1 hour read
Eleanor EstesThe Hundred Dresses
Fiction | Novella | Middle Grade | Published in 1944A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
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
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 Praised for its character depth and moral lessons, it also faces criticism for perceived simplicity and outdated cultural references.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 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
6-10yearsLexile Level
870L