Holes by Louis Sachar

Title: Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Stars: 5

Description: Stanley Yelnat's family has a history of bas luck, so he isn't to surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to a boys' juvenile detention center, Camp Green Lake. There is no lake- it has been dry for over a hundred years-and it's hardly a camp: as punishment, the boys must each dig a hole a day, fire feet deep, five feet across, in the hard earth of the dried-up lake bed. The warden claims that this pointless labor builds character, but that's a lie. Stanley must try to dig up the truth. In this wonderfully inventive, compelling novel that is both serious and fun, Louis Sachar weaves a narrative puzzle that tangles and untangles, until it becomes clear that the hand of fate has been at work in the lives of the characters-and their forebears=for generations. It is a darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment-and redemption.


This book is incredible. This is my second time reading it and the mystery is still interesting. Louis Sachar is an amazing author. This book is well thought out and it must have taken a while to think up this story so all the pieces fit together, but this author did it. I really do advise you to read this book. The mystery of this story will take hold of you until you finish the last page.

I haven't read a mystery book like this since the last time I read this book. The mystery is just so complex and it makes you gasp because everything starts to fit together at the end. So please, read this book, you won't be sorry.


Who is your favorite character? Zero has to be my favorite character. He is my favorite character because he is just so kind and has a good heart. And I'm glad that everything ends up good for him.


What did you like about this book? I think I've said it about a hundred times already, but the mystery is what I like about this book. But all the characters and settings are pretty amazing in this book too.

What's your favorite part of this book? Oh, wow. I don't know what my favorite part of this book is. I did really like the chapters in the book that had Sam and Kate Barlow in it.

Romance: There is no offensive romance in this book. There is one kiss, and a part in the book where one character is trying to make another character become his wife.

Violence: There's not really any violence. There is talk of rattle-snakes and yellow-spotted lizards and how one bite of a yellow-spotted lizard can kill you. SPOILER ALERT! There is also one scene where Kate Barlow gets pushed around by a man and his wife trying to get her to show them where her treasure is. And another where Kate Barlow gets bitten by a yellow-spotted lizards but it's not graphic at all. Zero also drinks some spoiled peaches and has really bad stomach cramps. Zero slams a shovel into a characters face. There is one fight scene that is a little graphic, just punches being thrown, no blood or anything. I know this may seem like a lot, but it was nothing. Just part of the story.

Drug Use: None.

Language: One "oh my god" and one "what the hell?"

Alcohol: There is one part in the book where the sheriff tries to get Kate Barlow to kiss but she won't because for one, she's not in love with him, and two, he's drunk. But that's only one very small part of the book.

Other: Mr. Sir smokes, and some talk about the the camp was abusive.


Please read this book. You won't regret it.



Natalie