Holes

Holes by Louis Sachar

Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. New York: Random House

ISBN: 0440414806

Plot

This is story of many characters unfolding over different time periods that are all intertwined. Stanley Yelnats is a middle schooler wrongly convicted of stealing tennis shoes. He blames his bad luck on the curse placed on his great, great grandfather years ago in the old country. Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake as his punishment. Camp Green Lake is a dried up lake bed where the warden forces the boys to dig holes to build character. It is revealed that the warden is seeking treasure believed to be buried in the lake bed by the bandit Kissin' Kate Barlow generations ago. Kate was a school teacher in the town who resorted to a life of crime when her black lover, Sam, was murdered because of the bigotry and fear surrounding interacial relationships at the time. Stanley ends up running away to find his friend, Zero, who had disappeared from the camp earlier. Stanley and Zero cross the lake bed and climb the cliffs on the other side in search of water. Stanley ends up carrying Zero when he becomes too weak. The two boys figure out that an item they had dug out of the ground back at the camp most likely belonged to Kate Barlow. They decide to return to the camp to search the hole. They unearth a bag, but the warden tries to take it from them. Stanley's lawyer shows up. Stanley is being released from Camp Green Lake. The warden wants the bag, but Zero (whom Stanley has been teaching to read) points out that Stanley's name is on the bag. It seems his great, great grandfather was robbed by Kissin' Kate after moving here from the old country. It seems Stanley is connected to the bag, Kissin' Kate Barlow and Zero. These are the elements which help Stanley solve the mystery of the family curse.

Critical Evaluation

This multi-generational story is infinitely readable. It is well paced, suspenseful and mysterious. It is also a story filled with a wry sense of humor. The characters are well drawn and interesting. The interaction between the boys at the camp is believable. The depiction on incarceration is excellent. It is age appropriate for early tweens. There are no depictions of sex or violence. This book was the Newbery Winner for 1999.

Readers Annotation

When Stanley Yelnats is sentenced to a rehabilitation camp for wayward boys after wrongly being convicted of stealing, he is forced into hard labor digging holes in a dry lake bed. He soon learns that he and the other boys at the camp are being used by the warden to find something she thinks is buried there. What could be buried under a dried-up lake? And what does it have to do with the curse placed on Stanley's family years ago? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this wonderful story.

About the Author

Louis Sachar was born in 1954 in New York. His family moved to California and he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. He worked in an elementary school part time while in college. The experience inspired him to begin writing children's books. He lives in Austin with his wife and child.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalk Ideas: Crime and punishment, Curses

Reading Level: Grade 4.5+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because it's a great story, easy to read and a Newbery winner.