Holes

I think that this was great fun to read. I enjoyed reading this book, it wasn't really sad and depressing as some books try to be, but it makes you laugh and is just amazing. The misunderstanding with the shoes, and with Stanley ending up in a juvenile detention centre in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of stocky hunks of boys. I just loved this book!

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.

I thought it was really clever to have Stanley's last name to be the same spelt backwards. I have never encountered an idea like that, and it made me laugh when I realized it, or was it when the book told me, I don't know. I also thought it was really strange to be digging holes in a dried up lake, but when the secret was revealed, I was just stunned.

I love this book, as does everyone else. It is full of everything you'd ever want. The movie is great as well, and it is well worth seeing it. Please read this amazing book!

Reader reviewed by Rvnclw08

I read this is junior high and loved this book.  It teaches you about firendship, being different, and dealing with punishment even when it isn't your fault.  The main character--stanley yelnats-- is a good boy in a bad position. He finds himself in a work camp to avoid jail time.  But it actually is the best thing that could happen to him.  He meants a freind named Hector Zeroni.

To me, this book was a great blend of comedy and drama. Stanley falls into a terrible situation, the victim of a wrongful conviction, that sends him to a juvenile detention camp. Between his oddball fellow campers, the malevolent counselors, and the larger than life figures from the past that are affecting the present, we get to read about some very memorable characters.

I love the whole curse aspect, and the way Stanley is always fighting against that, and Kate Barlow's "you'll never get the best of me" attitude, with the way she hides her treasure, is awesome. You want so badly for Stanley and the other kids to find a way to defeat the counselors, and take the camp down, and that back and forth struggle feels very real in this book. There are ups and downs and an ending that is very well done.

--Alex

Reader reviewed by Evan from Mrs. Siorek's class

Holes is my favorite book ever. It had cliffhangers, danger, and excitment. It is two great stories rolled into one. I highly suggest you read this book.

Reader reviewed by PJR

"Holes" is packes full of great young men that you can't help but like. These guys are not the typical "boys next door." They are boys who have gotten themselves in some form of trouble and have been sentenced to a work camp.
The guys work hard, overcome a ton of obstacles, and end up solving a VERY long family curse.
Though this certainly isn't the greatest mystery ever, it is a great book and I think all young adults will enjoy it!

I think I read this during middle school. I'm not sure, but it is on the bookshelf in my room, so I had to have read it at one time or another! My favorite part is the friendship between Stanley and Zero, and the way it all came together in the end! I also never miss a chance to watch this movie any time it comes on TV. It's just so good!

Reader reviewed by Joey S.

Andrew Clements, you've done it again!! I loved this book, just like every other Clements book. The movie version of it made me appreciate it even more! Two thumbs up. I loved the characters like the Warden and Mr.Sir, GREAT JOB!!! Stanley's friendship with Zero was a very lucky coincedence that broke his family's curse and made for one happy ending!! Another applaud!!!

Reader reviewed by cheyenne

This book was one of the greatest books ever.I think that the descriptions of the lake were great as well as the descriptions of the charactars.This story is also amazing beacause the author makes you think more about how fortune and makes you feel like u personally know that charactar and makes you feel so happy that you are not in their situation.

Many kids , i belive , should read this book.It is fun ,entertaining and a thrill to read.It is also adventureous as well as funny.I also think if you want to see the movie,you should read the book first.

Reader reviewed by lookwhaticando

I really liked this book when I read it. It kept me quessing because their was flashbacks, and the guys on their are really funny. I didn't like the movie tho because it made the book sounds boring.

Reader reviewed by dykehalo

Amazing! I love this book. I've read it 20 million times over. I first read it when i was in grade 5 or 6 and then recommended it to all my friends. The premises of the book seems odd at first a boy Stanley Yelnats is sent to a prison/work camp for "stealing" shoes. Every day every person at the camp has to dig a square hole the size of their shovel. If they find something they must report it to the people in charge.
It's an amazing book and throws several surprises at the reader.