THE HUNDRED DRESSES

Wanda Petronski is the unwitting star of this sad little story that speaks to all of us. Wanda definitely stands out in Room 13--she has a Polish name, lives in a poor part of town and has only one dress to wear to school. To defend herself against her classmates' taunts, she brags that she has one hundred beautiful dresses in her closet. Narrator Moore perfectly captures the mocking of the girls, along with Wanda's wounded young voice, as well as the voice of the only girl who feels guilty about the cruel behavior. Moore's delivery, at once distraught and sparkling, creates a visual picture for this appearance-driven story. Her pace perfectly matches the clever surprise ending. S.G.B. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 99]