The Hundred Dresses is about a young girl named Wanda Petronski who is teased by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. She tells them she has 100 beautiful dresses at home, but her classmates don't believe her. The story follows the aftermath of their disbelief and the impact it has on Wanda and her classmates.
Table of Content
The Hundred Dresses Book Summary
Wanda Petronski, a quiet and withdrawn girl, is tormented at school for wearing the same blue dress every day. She claims to have 100 beautiful dresses at home. Her classmates, particularly Peggy, find this claim ridiculous and make fun of her, driving Wanda to further silence.
Wanda's class has a drawing contest, and when Wanda submits a drawing of 100 vibrant and unique dresses, the truth of her story is revealed. The class is stirred by Wanda's departure, realizing the hurt they caused her.
Classmates Maddie and Peggy receive a letter from Wanda, forgiving them and expressing her love for the drawings and their shared times. The girls learn compassion and the impact of their actions, vowing to never tease anyone like that again.
Wanda's story becomes a lesson for everyone, and the school takes action to prevent such bullying in the future. Wanda's hundred dresses bring about a hundred lessons in kindness and empathy.
The Hundred Dresses Quotes
- "You can be a hundred miles away and still come closer than your own heartbeat. Distance doesn't matter."
- "I wouldn't have thought it was so nice," said Maddie. "It's just the way it is," said Peggy. "It's the color, I guess."
- "It's not so much what you say as the way you say it. It's not so much the words you use as the tone in which you convey them."
The Hundred Dresses Ending Explained
At the end of The Hundred Dresses, Wanda Petronski moves away, taking with her the memory of the hundred dresses she drew and the impact they had on her classmates.
Peggy and Maddie receive a letter from Wanda, where she shares her forgiveness and bestows her drawings of the hundred dresses to the girls she leaves behind. The letter is a poignant reminder of the hurt they caused and the love Wanda had to offer.
The girls reflect on Wanda's departure and the lesson they've learned, as they pledge to never let such a chance for kindness slip away again.
Characters in book The Hundred Dresses
- Wanda Petronski: A Polish girl in a Connecticut school who is teased for her name and the dress she wears.
- Peggy: Wanda's classmate who is more popular and initially leads the teasing against Wanda.
- Maddie: Another classmate of Wanda's, she is kinder than Peggy and feels remorse for teasing Wanda.
- Miss Mason: The girls' teacher who addresses the issue of Wanda's claimed hundred dresses.
- Mr. Petronski: Wanda's father who is protective of his daughter.
- Jack Beggles: A boy in Wanda's class who informs the others that Wanda has moved away.
- Claude: A boy in Wanda's class who is less involved in the teasing.
Key Lessons
- Kindness Matters: Be kind to others, as small acts of kindness can have a large impact.
- Empathy is Essential: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is crucial for building meaningful relationships and preventing harm.
- Words Have Power: Choose your words carefully, as they can uplift or deeply hurt those around you.
- Stand Up for What's Right: Have the courage to stand up for others when you witness injustice or unkindness.
- Forgiveness Heals: Forgiving others can be a powerful act that leads to personal healing and growth.
My Personal Opinion
Is The Hundred Dresses worth reading? Absolutely yes, I found this story to be a touching and poignant narrative that delivers powerful messages about empathy and kindness.
I was deeply moved by the impact of the story and how it highlighted the consequences of bullying and the importance of standing up for what is right. The simplicity of the text belies its depth, making it accessible and thought-provoking.
I would say this book is a must-read for children and adults alike. It serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked emotional lives of those around us and the power of empathy to shape our interactions and communities.