Holes

I enjoyed the book holes. Holes has lots of interesting things to keep me hooked, like the backstories. The whole idea that Zero was actually a Zeroni is really cool, not to mention the fact that I think it's funny that Stanley Yelnats is his name. (Same forwards and backwards.) My only problem with the book was I felt there was a lack of character personality. Every character seemed to talk the same, think the same way, etc. The only difference I could detect was Zero was quiet and Stanley stood up for him, while the rest of the boys went on bullying him. Other than that, I couldn't detect much other personality.

Stanley Yelnats is a young teenage boy who was sent to Camp Green Lake located in Texas. This camp isn’t any ordinary camp, but a juvenile detention camp for young teenage boys. In the book Holes, written by Louis Sacher, the boys who are sent there have to dig large holes every day, being told that it will build up their “character”. Stanley says he was sent there because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather, his great-great-grandfather was cursed by a gypsy after he had broken a promise long ago; a curse that would be passed down to all generations after him. In Camp Green Lake Stanley learns things slowly, made new friends, and understands how things go at the camp. But there was one thing Stanley couldn’t understand, out of all things to do in a detention camp, why were they digging holes? He soon realizes that this wasn’t an ordinary “character developing” juvenile camp, but instead, the boys were digging for something, something valuable and important. Stanley slowly pieces the clues together and digs up this mystery hole and tries to break the curse of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather.
Holes is a novel you will definitely want to read again if you have the chance, the book acts like sticky glue, once you pick it up, you will never be able to let it go until you’ve finished it. A few reasons why is because: the book is very unpredictable; opposite things happen from what you’re thinking will happen. Louis Sacher made the plot simple yet interesting so the book wouldn’t confuse readers. The characters in the story are believable and reasonable; they act and do things really realistically and don’t do impossible, beyond supernatural tasks. Characters are also dynamic, changing throughout the story in order for them to adapt and survive in the harsh conditions facing both physical and mental challenges. A few characters that show progression throughout the story are Stanley Yelnats (Caveman) began as a young, naïve, spoiled city boy into a wise, mature, independent teenager. Another character Hector Zeroni (Zero), who went from a young unsocial, blame taking boy, into a kid with friends and self-confidence.
Overall, I would rate this book 4 out of 5, the book was very attracting and mysterious, but sometimes it seemed repetitive. The plot, simple yet intriguing, characters being dynamic, believable, the use of language/dialect was perfect. I really enjoyed reading this book, mainly because for me it was adventurous, and unpredictable. In the end, it was like all Disney movies, a happily ever after ending. I would recommend this novel for people who love fictional and adventurous stories.

Reader reviewed by BooksObsession

Holes was a great novel. I could really understand Stanley and his character, which is one of the biggest factors I look for in a book. It had a creative plot, and the author did a great job of writing it. Sachar illustrated friendship greatly in this book, and I would definitely read this novel again. They also made this into a movie.

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.

Reader reviewed by Sara

this book had great characters zero was my favorite character. i like how the story jumped back and forth through time and to see the stories related to each other.  a classic tale of good versus evil and struggles through difficulties.  a great coming of age story!

Reader reviewed by Ben

I read this book and was amazed at how easy it was to read and how fast I read it. It kept me interested the whole time. Usually when I read a book I have to take many breaks but this book, I couldnt put it down. I loved this book and will read it again and again. This is a book that every library should have.

Reader reviewed by Si Si Stellar

Holes, that's all they do, DIG! Stanley is framed for stealing a pair of shoes that a famous athlete lent to a homeless shelter to help them get money, Stanley is found guilty and they send him to a camp where all they do is dig. But is there something going on behind the scenes? Nick-named Caveman, Stanley sets out to find his friend, Zero runs away. Out in the desert though, he finds a landmark he thought was just a myth, Gods thumb. Will they find out what's really going on at Camp Green Lake?

Reader reviewed by FxOxG

If you saw the movie and hated it then maybe you might like the book better. Holes is a very entertaining book with a few unfortunate events that causes a kid named Stanley to end up at a boys detention center digging holes. Stanley encounters even more unfortunate events at the dention center.

Its a great book one of the first books I ever read but I still love it.

Reader reviewed by stellargurl

i didnt think i would like this book. i mean who in the world would like to read a book that has to do with boring, old, holes? thats what i though before i actually picked up the book and started reading it.

holes is about a boy with the name on stanley yelnats. as you can see, his last name is the backyard spelling of his frirst name stanley, making him a little more interesting than he should be. stanley and his family live in an apartment. his dad is a shoe-maker/fixer and im really not sure what his mom does. but thats besideds the point. this book tells about the bad luck(all thanks to stanleys no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather)and adventures of stanley at camp green lake after he is sentenced there because he is accused of stealing a pair of shoes. it was either jail or camp green lake and because stanley had never been to camp before and it had such a lovely name his parents decided to send him there.

this is a hilarious, hearth thoucinh book and i would recomend it to kids and parents of all ages.

Reader reviewed by BRITT

AMAZING book... i decided to read this book because i saw the movie and then i figured, well maybe the movie will be just as good as the book! well it sure was. The whole setting and how the whole curse no-pig-stealing-grandfather. that was good! i recommend this book to evryone as i already have! GREAT BOOK you should read it because it isnt totally the same as the movie! a 4 star review!