Holes

Holes

By Louis Sachar

Published by Yearling (2000)

Reading Level: Ages 9-12 years

Pages: 240

Genre: Modern Fantasy

Summary: Stanley is accused of stealing a pair of shoes that belong to Sweet Feet, a famous baseball player, which he didn't do. He is sentence to go to Camp Green Lake; there, he has to dig a hole that is 5ft in depth and diameter, every day. He blames his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather who was curse by Madame Zeroni for not carrying her up the mountain so she can drink from the steam. Camp Green Lake, more than a hundred years before Stanley was there was a lake and a town. The town dries up after they shot a black man for kissing the school teacher and the teacher became the outlaw Kissing Kate Barlow. Stanley makes friends with a boy called Zero and he teaches Zero to read. When then counselors are tormenting Zero for not being able to read Zero knocks one out and runs into the desert. Stanley runs after him several days later. He finds him hiding under an old boat living off old canned peaches. They walk to a distant mountain shaped like a thumb and Stanley has to carry Zero. At the top Stanley sings an old family song to Zero and they find water and onions. After they get their health back they walk back to camp and after everyone is in bed they come out of hiding and dig for a treasure that belonged to Kate Barlow, but are found as they find the treasure but they can't get out of the hole because they are covered in yellow spotted lizards, which are deadly. They climb out when Stanley's Lawyer gets there and the treasure has Stanley's name on it because it was stolen from his ancestor that had the same name. Camp is closed and Stanley and Zero become rich.

My Reaction: I love this book, and I've loved it for a long time. The characters are memorable and the story is exciting. I enjoy putting the pieces from the different stories together.

Potential Problems: This book addresses prejudices, it contains murder, cruelty, and other crimes.

Recommendations: I would recommend this book to older children. I think this is also a good book for kids that don't like reading.

Awards this Book has Recieved:

• 1999 Newbery Medal

• 1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

• A Christopher Award for Juvenile Fiction

• An ALA Notable Book

• An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

• An ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults

• A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year

• A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Book

• A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

• A Publishers Weekly Notable Children's Book of the Year

• A Publishers Weekly Bestseller

• A Horn Book Fanfare Title

• A Riverbank Review 1999 Children's Book of Distinction

• A New York Public Library Children's Book of 1998-100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

• A Texas Lone Star Award Nominee

• A NECBA Fall List Title

Check Out the Website: Holes the Book

This is from the Disney Movie. I love the song and it gives a great introduction to the characters.