Teenreads.com --HOLES by Louis Sachar

• About This Book
• Discussion Questions
• Author Biography
• Excerpt
• Review
• Holes Trivia

HOLES by Louis Sachar

Laurel Leaf
List Price: $6.50
Pages: 233
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0440414806

About This Book

Stanley Yelnats, a hard-working, law-abiding, unlucky kid, is falsely arrested for stealing a pair of sneakers and is sentenced to a summer at Camp Green Lake. The "Camp" turns out to be a juvenile detention center in the middle of the desert where a cruel warden forces the boys to dig holes all day in search of treasure. Over the course of the summer, Stanley makes new friends, defeats new enemies, and discovers an ancient curse on his family. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, this book deals with issues ranging from fate to friendship.

Discussion Questions

1. This book is really made up of two stories: Stanley's summer and the story of his great-great-grandfather in the Wild West. How does the author relate the stories and switch between them? What other stories do you know that can be broken up into several smaller tales?

2. Stanley begins the story overweight and unpopular at school. How does he change during the course of the book in order to fit in with a group? When he goes back to school in the fall, how do you think his classmates will view him?

3. Is Stanley a hero? How about his great-great-grandfather? What's the difference between a hero and just a good person?

4. Each camper at Camp Green Lake has a nickname. Discuss how the nicknames reflect on the boys' personalities; for example, why is Stanley called "Caveman"? How can a person's name change the way others see them and the way they see themselves?

5. When does Stanley begin to show courage? What brave things does he do? Discuss how courage can be very personal. An action that is courageous for one person might not be for another. What brave risks have you taken in your life that remind you of Stanley's adventure?

6. Zero is Stanley's first true friend; discuss how their friendship develops. When Stanley finds out that Zero actually stole the sneakers, he isn't mad; actually, he's glad. Do you think this is an appropriate response? How would you respond if you and a friend were in a similar situation?

7. Was there a "hole" in Stanley's life before he went to Camp Green Lake? Was it still there when he left? Why or why not?

8. The Warden is a really nasty lady. What other evil women can you think of in books, movies, or fairy tales? How does the Warden compare to some of these witches and evil queens? How does the author create such a vile villain?