Ages 10–121-min guideMysteryFriendship
Holes
by Louis Sachar
Good fitClever and funny. Great for readers who like puzzles.
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What it’s about
Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake, where boys dig holes all day. Three stories from different times fit together.
The ending
What might come up
ViolenceSomeIn a past storyline, a Black man is killed by townspeople for kissing a white woman, who becomes an outlaw. At camp, Zero hits a counselor with a shovel, and a boy steps on a rattlesnake on purpose.
RacismSomeThat storyline shows racism openly and treats it as wrong.
Mean adultsSomeThe Warden attacks a counselor with venom-laced nail polish.
Death and lossSomeSeveral deaths in the past storylines.
LanguageA littleMild words like 'stupid' and 'sucks'.
RomanceA littleA love story in the past.
Why kids like it
Every piece of the puzzle clicks into place by the end.
Free printable quiz
- 1What is the name of the camp?
- 2Why is Stanley sent there?
- 3What is Zero’s real name?
- 4What is Stanley’s name spelled backwards?
Read it, then watch it
Read the book first, then watch it together and talk about what changed.
