Holes

What do our readers think of Holes? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the funny characters, suspenseful mystery and strong messages about friendship, courage and perseverance. Some children find the cruel treatment, danger and darker themes upsetting, especially at the younger end of the age range.

What does the Pageticker team say about Holes?

The famously award-winning Holes, by Louis Sachar, is a brilliantly twisty adventure that mixes dry humour, mystery and plenty of digging with profoundly thoughtful ideas about friendship, fairness and family history. The story’s clever threads gradually merge together for a deeply satisfying ending. A truly rewarding story that will leave almost every reader pondering for hours or days after.

Genres

What is Holes about?

Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake, a boys’ detention centre where the only activity is digging endless holes. But something strange is going on—the warden is searching for a mysterious treasure beneath the dry lakebed. Stanley must uncover the truth behind the camp’s secrets and break his family’s old curse in this clever, gripping, and sometimes funny adventure.

About the author

Louis Sachar is a well-known author who writes exciting and funny books for children. He is most famous for his book 'Holes', which has won many awards and has also been made into a film. Louis enjoys creating stories with interesting characters and surprising twists that keep readers guessing until the very end.

Discussion ideas around Holes

Bad luck or bad choices?: How much of Stanley’s life seems to be controlled by luck, and how much changes because of the choices he makes?

Friendship under pressure: What helps Stanley and the other boys begin to trust one another at Camp Green Lake?

Fairness and punishment: What makes a punishment fair or unfair, and does Camp Green Lake teach the boys anything useful?

Stories from the past: How do the stories about Stanley’s family and Green Lake change the way you understand what is happening in the present?

Standing up to power: Why do the adults at the camp have so much control, and what helps the boys challenge that control?