Eleanor Estes (May 9, 1906 — July 15, 1988) was an American children's author.

She was born in West Haven, Connecticut as Eleanor Ruth Rosenfield.She worked as a children's librarian in New Haven, Connecticut, and New York.Estes' writing career began following a case of tuberculosis. Bedridden while recovering, Estes began writing down some of her childhood memories, which would later turn into full-length children's books.

She attended the Pratt Institute Library School.She married William McGreal; they lived in New Hampshire.She taught at the University of New Hampshire Writer's Conference.

Estes's book Ginger Pye (1951) won the Newbery Medal, and three of her other books (The Middle Moffat, Rufus M., and The Hundred Dresses) were chosen as Newbery Honor books. She also received the Certificate of Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Literature and was nominated for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. By the time of her death at age 82, Estes had written 19 children's books and one novel for adults.

Her papers are at the University of Southern Mississippi, and University of Minnesota.

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