Genre 6: Fiction: A Book by Louis Sachar

Holes

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sachar, Louis. 1998. Holes. New York, NY: Dell Yearling. ISBN 0440419468

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This book is the story of a young boy named Stanley Yelnats who is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center for a crime he did not committ. At Camp Green Lake Stanley along with the other "inmates" have to dig holes. One day the holes lead him to more than he could imagine, the truth.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Pack your bags and lets get ready for a camping trip. Well it's not your typical campstie. It is a place called Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility where there is not a beautiful lake but holes to dig. Unfortunate? Yes! Well that was the life the Yelnats family was accustomed to. Bad luck was what they knew because of a deal broken by their "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather." Sachar does an awesome job of helping the reader understand just how bad the family's luck was. He uses language that is very straightforward and easy to understand. The characters are believable. It sheds light on a special bond that developed between Stanley and Zero. " "I should warn you," Stanley said. "I'm not exactly the luckiest guy in the world." Zero wasn't worried. "When you spend your whole life living in a hole,"he said the only way you can go is up." They gave each other the thumbs-up sign , then headed out." Although the family thought they were cursed, Stanley stumbles onto something more than anyone could expect, even the cruel warden. It is a story of good versus bad. It reassures you that whenever there is a struggle between good and evil, good always wins. It is a must read for readers of all ages. It will keep you coming back for more.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
"Dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism."

-----------Publisher's Weekly

5. CONNECTIONS
Other Books by Louis Sachar
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom
Dogs Don't Tell Jokes
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Marvin Redpost Series