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HOLES
by Louis Sachar
List Price: $6.50
Pages: 233
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 044022859X
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
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Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment--and redemption.
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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?
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"A dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred
"There is no question, kids will love HOLES."
—School Library Journal, Starred
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Courtesy of
Laurel Leaf
ReadingGroupGuides.com -- AuthorsOnTheWeb.com -- AuthorYellowPages.com
Teenreads.com -- Kidsreads.com
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