Holes [Paperback]

Louis Sachar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2000

Read by Kerry Beyer
Three cassettes / 4 hours 30 mins.

Stanley Yelnats isn't so surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to a juvenile detention center.  After all, his family has been ridden with bad luck ever since a one-legged gypsy put a curse on his great-great grandfather.  He is told that the hard labor he must perform...digging 5 foot holes in the dried up soil where Green Lake once sat...is meant to build character.  But is soon becomes clear to Stanley that the warden is really using the boys to search for something very valuable.  The story of the hidden treasure, alone with the warden, Stanley's friend Zero, and the curse on the Yelnats family are all part of a compelling puzzle that has taken generations to unravel.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"If you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole every day in the hot sun, it will turn him into a good boy." Such is the reigning philosophy at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility where there is no lake, and there are no happy campers. In place of what used to be "the largest lake in Texas" is now a dry, flat, sunburned wasteland, pocked with countless identical holes dug by boys improving their character. Stanley Yelnats, of palindromic name and ill-fated pedigree, has landed at Camp Green Lake because it seemed a better option than jail. No matter that his conviction was all a case of mistaken identity, the Yelnats family has become accustomed to a long history of bad luck, thanks to their "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!" Despite his innocence, Stanley is quickly enmeshed in the Camp Green Lake routine: rising before dawn to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet in diameter; learning how to get along with the Lord of the Flies-styled pack of boys in Group D; and fearing the warden, who paints her fingernails with rattlesnake venom. But when Stanley realizes that the boys may not just be digging to build character--that in fact the warden is seeking something specific--the plot gets as thick as the irony.

It's a strange story, but strangely compelling and lovely too. Louis Sachar uses poker-faced understatement to create a bizarre but believable landscape--a place where Major Major Major Major of Catch-22 would feel right at home. But while there is humor and absurdity here, there is also a deep understanding of friendship and a searing compassion for society's underdogs. As Stanley unknowingly begins to fulfill his destiny--the dual plots coming together to reveal that fate has big plans in store--we can't help but cheer for the good guys, and all the Yelnats everywhere. (Ages 10 and older) --Brangien Davis --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

With an ever-so-slight Texas twang, Beyer transports listeners to barren, blistering-hot Camp Green Lake, the juvenile correctional facility where Stanley Yelnats is serving a sentence he doesn't deserve. If it weren't for lousy luck, Stanley would have no luck at allAa condition that his family traces to Stanley's "no-good dirty-rotten pig-stealing great-great-grandfather." Stanley toughs out his time with an unflagging sense of humor, considering he and his fellow offenders must each dig a hole five feet wide and five feet deep every day with little water and the constant threat of poisonous lizards. But as Stanley gets into the swing of things, he and his new pal Zero discover that the warden actually has them digging for buried treasureAtreasure that is somehow linked to the Yelnats family curse. Beyer's buoyant, boyish manner ensures that Sachar's witty novel, winner of both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, makes a smooth transition to audio. The short chapters breeze along for a thoroughly entertaining listen. Ages 8-up. (May)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Yearling Books; 2000 edition (April 30, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 9990833087
• ISBN-13: 978-9990833089
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

author spotlight
Newbery Award-winning author Louis Sachar is the creator of the entertaining Marvin Redpost books as well as the much-loved There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, winner of 17 child-voted state awards.

Louis Sachar's book Holes, winner of the 1999 Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, is also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, an ALA Notable Book, and was made into a major motion picture.

A Few Words From Louis Sachar
Of all the characters from Holes, why did you choose to revisit Armpit in SMALL STEPS?
LS: I tend to write about underdogs. It seemed to me that life would be tough for an African-American teenager from a low-income family with a criminal record. Especially someone stuck with the name, "Armpit."
Although this new book is about a character from Holes, the two books are very different. How would you explain to a fan of Holes what to expect from SMALL STEPS?
LS: I can't. I'm no good at describing my books. Holes has been out now for seven years, and I still can't come up with a good answer when asked what that book is about.
Could you imagine future novels about any of the other boys?
Do you think about what Stanley is up to now?
LS: I don't think too much about Stanley or Zero. I left them in a good place. Although money doesn't bring happiness, or give meaning to someone's life, the problems Stanley and Zero face now (and I'm sure they do face many problems) are less interesting than those faced by someone like Armpit.
Plenty of teenagers fantasize about what it would be like to be a young rock star.
You portray it as lonely. Tell us about that decision.
LS: The media tends to portray the teenage world as one where drinking and sex is taken for granted. In fact, I think most teenagers don't drink, are unsure of themselves, and feel awkward around members of the opposite sex. I thought it was important to show Kaira, a rock star no less, as such a person. Her situation, in many ways, is made more difficult as she has no social contact with anyone her age. She is trapped in a world of agents, record producers, and hanger-ons.
I'm imagining that off all the books you've written, Holes is the one that has changed your life the most. Not only did it win the Newbery Medal, it's also simply a popular sensation. Is this assessment accurate? What is this novel's continuing impact on your life? Would you consider it the book that you are proudest of?
LS: Not counting Small Steps, I think Holes is my best book, in terms of plot, and setting, and the way the story revealed itself. It hasn't changed my life, other than that I have more money than I did before I wrote it. I'm still too close to Small Steps to compare it to Holes.
Why do you typically write only two hours each day?
LS: Small steps. Every time I start a new novel it seems like an impossible undertaking. If I tried to do too much too quickly, I would get lost and feel overwhelmed. I have to go slow, and give things a chance to take form and grow.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#91 in Books > Teens

#91 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Milen, Sebastian und Eylem June 13, 2012

By Sebi

Format:Paperback

Milen: The novel "Holes" was written by Louis Sachar and was published in 1998.

The story is about a boy called Stanley Yelnats, who was accused of stealing shoes from a famous basketball player. As punishment he was sent to Camp Green Lake, where he has to dig holes with many other boys, for the next eighteen month. It is said that at Camp Green Lake is a treasure which has been buried. For this reason are they forced to dig holes by the counselors and the warden. Stanley has a really tough time there. He has to work very hard and he gets also trouble with some boys and with one of the counselor. The good thing is, that he finds a truly friend whose name is Zero and many things will be revealed at the end.

In my opinion is the book very fascinating because the author tells two different stories. The one is about Stanley's stay at Camp Green Lake and the other one is about the curse of Stanley's great- great- grandfather. I like also that all characters of the story are totally different. It makes it more interesting.

A good story, great characters and some funny dialogues too...what else could you want??

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Sebastian: The book "Holes" written by Louis Sachar first released in 1998 is a story about a boy whose family has no luck.

He is accused to have stolen a pair of shoes from a famous person. Therefore he comes in a penal camp where other boys are too. The camp is called "Camp Green Lake" but there is no lake. It's in the desert and he gets to know now hard work feel like. He has to dig holes five feet deep and five feet wide and that every day. The wardens of the camp are looking for a treasure. One day a boy runs away and a few days later he runs away too. Finally they meet each other in the desert and decide to find the treasure. At the end they find it and are rich.

The story is very interesting, but at first I had problems with the understanding because of the time jumps. If you read a few pages, it gets very interesting. It is more for younger people than for adults because all the boys have nicknames and it's written in youth language.

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Eylem: The book "Holes" written in 1998 by Louis Sachar is about a teenager called Stanley Yelnats.
Stanley is from a very unlucky family and it has been cursed for generations. The chapters in this book are very short.

In the story Stanley ends up going to Camp Green Lake. He is sent to Camp Green Lake for stealing a pair of sneakers. But he didn't steal the sneakers. He thinks that the Camp will be interessting, but soon he finds himself digging five by five foot holes in the hot sun. The boys are digging holes because the treacherous warden is searching for something, until Stanley begins his own search for the truth.
At the camp he made a friend in a camper named Zero which bring about some changes in Stanley's character he become's more confident and he become's loyal.
He was teaching Zero how to read but when the Warden finds out Zero runs away. Their find a treasure which changing their life.

In my opinion the novel is good but a little bit boring. In the middle is it the same thing over and over again but then it gets exciting. The book is for teenager and also for adults. The author flipped back and forth between the generations that makes it more fun to read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Pupil of the class 2E, FFM June 12, 2012

By Pupil of the class 2e/FFM

Format:Paperback

The book "Holes", written in 1998 from Louis Sachar, deals with a few centurys long taking curse on a boy and his family and how he suddenly resolved it.

The book is partitioned into three stories, all situated in different centurys, but connected by the curse of the family Yelnats.

The first story talks about the development of the curse. In other words the great-great-greatgrandfather of Stanley Yelnats, Elya Yelnats initiate the curse by making a deal with an old gypsy lady, Madamme Zeronie. He must bring her every day up an mountain, that she can drink from a magic spring that should cure her suffering. But instead he took his award from the gypsy, a pig, and went to his big love to show his present for her: the pig. She refused his attract and he took the next ship to america, forgetting Madamme Zeronie and her threaten to curse him.

The second storie deals with the relationship from Katherine Barlow and Sam, the onion seller. They both fellt into love although he was black. Thus the whole town tries to kill him, especially the major. After they escape by a boat, Sam get killed and Kate becomes an Outlaw, named Kissin'Kate, up to revenge. At one point she robs the great-greatgrandfather from Stanley and steals all his money. The fault of the curse...

The third and main story begins with the punishment of the boy, Stanley Yelnats, by sending him into a boys juvenile detention centre for a crime which he did not commit. Everyday they must rise before dawn and dig one hole, despite all the dangers in the dessert like the heat or poisonous animals. As a result of the fight with a guard the friend of Stanley, Zero, runs into the dessert. Stanley followed him a day later and tries to rescue him, founding him under a boat on the dry lake. Somehow they arrived a save point on the top of a mountain, where they discovered a briefcase with the letters Yelnats on it. After returning to the camp, the warden goes nuts and they both come free, gratituded to a attorney. At least Stanley bans the curse, because Zero was the great-great-greatgrandson from Madamme Zeronie, and Stanley helped him pulling up the mountain.

It is a pretty intelligent written book, with a lot of turning points. Equally importent is to mention the weaving of the three stories. Thus the autor will show the reader to be a honest and good person, never to forgett that there can be a curse around every corner.

Taking everything into consideration the book was a good written, interesting book. But I think its more for younger people, and sometimes, you know exactly what happens next. After you have read from every little story something, you can imagine what happens at the end of the story.

Marius Stiefenhofer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars exciting and thrilling May 19, 2012

By Fart Twain

Format:Paperback

The book Holes by Louis Sachar is a phenomenal story that is 233 pages in length. The story starts out when a boy Stanley Yelnats who is an early teenager, was framed for stealing a pair of shoes. Stanley never really stole the shoes but knowing his luck he was caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. Stanley's family always is unlucky because of a "curse" that was given to one of Stanley's relatives hundreds of years ago. He now is sentenced to a year of being at a camp called "Camp Green Lake". Camp Green Lake is a camp where a lake had been a long time ago, but now it is dried up dirt that is rumored to contain treasure. Every day the campers must dig a hole which is five feet deep and five feet wide looking for treasure in the dirt and having to face the heat of the sun. If a camper finds anything worth value the camper gets to rest for the rest of the day. "Stanley took a shower- if you could call it that, ate dinner- if you could call it that, and went to bed- if you could call his scratchy cot a bed"(Sachar 21). Stanley does not like the conditions of his camp and can't stand digging holes every day. He is the new kid at his camp filled with kids who are tougher and stronger than him. Does Stanley survive the camp? Does Stanley make friends with the kids at the camp? Will Stanley's families curse go away? Find out by reading the rest of the exciting book.
This novel has an overall fantastic plot filled with moments of suspense and action. The author writes the book in a form where he expresses the thoughts and feelings of the main character while having the action outside of the main character occurring. This book greatly displays the main characters past life compared to his life during the book and how he how he has changed on the inside and on the outside. One downside to this book is that some characters in the book have more personality than others. The book gets deeper into some personalities of the campers and some campers are more like side characters that have no personality and they aren't shown in the book individually often.
In terms of size of the book, this book is descent size with large font. The book is around a 5th grade to 7th grade reading level. To understand the story to a full extent I recommend being older than that. The main "message" of this book is that relates to the real world is that when you witness an event you should tell the truth. This is a very famous book seen commonly at libraries and bookstores. It has received several awards in the past and is considered a "classic" because even if you read this story multiple times it feels exciting every time you read it.