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librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
4.0
Nobody really pays much attention to Wanda Petronski other than to tease the shy, silent girl about the hundred dresses she claims to have, so no one even notices at first when she stops showing up to school. When her classmates do think of her, it's often to wonder why she would lie about something so obvious--she clearly has only the one dress, which she wears every single day.
Maddie's best friend Peggy instigated the daily teasing sessions, and Maddie has always felt guilty about that, but she's been afraid to speak up for fear the girls' attention would turn to her next. After all, she's poor, too, although not quite so poor as Wanda. When Wanda stops coming to school, Maddie wants to do something to make up for hurting her, especially after they all learn the truth of the hundred dresses. But are they too late?
This classic story highlights not only the emotional pain inflicted by bullies but also the trauma caused by bystanders who privately object yet publicly do nothing to stop the abuse. Like Mean Girls but for an older elementary school crowd. It would be a great choice for a classroom read-aloud and discussion (or role-playing session), as well as an excellent book for parents and grandparents to read (aloud or silently) and discuss with their children/grandchildren. Even though it was first published in 1944, it's still relevant today, other than the sexist design/coloring competition and the fact that girls only wear dresses to school.
Maddie's best friend Peggy instigated the daily teasing sessions, and Maddie has always felt guilty about that, but she's been afraid to speak up for fear the girls' attention would turn to her next. After all, she's poor, too, although not quite so poor as Wanda. When Wanda stops coming to school, Maddie wants to do something to make up for hurting her, especially after they all learn the truth of the hundred dresses. But are they too late?
This classic story highlights not only the emotional pain inflicted by bullies but also the trauma caused by bystanders who privately object yet publicly do nothing to stop the abuse. Like Mean Girls but for an older elementary school crowd. It would be a great choice for a classroom read-aloud and discussion (or role-playing session), as well as an excellent book for parents and grandparents to read (aloud or silently) and discuss with their children/grandchildren. Even though it was first published in 1944, it's still relevant today, other than the sexist design/coloring competition and the fact that girls only wear dresses to school.
rachelm31f6b's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
bookworm_rn's review against another edition
3.0
This book has great reviews but besides the pictures, I’m not sure why. The girls are mean and only one of them learns any kind of lesson and even then it’s pretty half hearted. Basically, a little girl gets teased and the other girls are jerks.
Eliana’s review: “What I think about that book is that those girls were mean and they were! I liked the pictures.”
Eliana’s review: “What I think about that book is that those girls were mean and they were! I liked the pictures.”
amandanomaly's review against another edition
4.0
My 8-year-old daughter and I read this together as part of our mom-daughter bookclub, and it was a perfect pick. The story is so simply yet so amazingly told, easily portraying the damaging effects bullying can have not just on the student, but on the family. Even Wanda's parents were bullied by the other townsfolk. But I also loved how this book shows Maddie's evolution; she wasn't the one doing the bullying exactly, but she saw how not doing something (standing on the sidelines and not speaking up) was still doing "something." Superbly written. I can see why it's a classic.
ego8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cgaray09's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
4.0
dprice805's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
mjamm's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful, touching simple story. Even though it was written in the 40's, the story is one that children will relate to today. An excellent reminder of the importance of kindness, forgiveness and treating others well.