Holes

Holes by Louis Sachar

Publisher: Yearling Books

Copyright: 1998

Number of Pages: 236

Age: 12+ years

Genre: Contemporary

Summary:
This is a story about Stanley Yelnats. He is a young boy who has the worst luck because of the curse that was placed on his family by his old great great grandfather. Stanley was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was caught with a pair of shoes that he didn't steal. So he was sent to Camp Greenlake. In the camp all the trouble maker kids had to dig holes. What they didnt know was that what they were really looking for was a buried treasure. Stanley becomes friends with Zero. Zero was teased a lot in the camp because he didn't say much. Then one day he was fed up with being teased. He hit one of the administrators head and started running away. Stanley after a few days ends up going after Zero. Stanley finds Zero and they both start to climb up a big mountain called God's thumb. Stanley has to carry Zero up the mountain because Zero could barely climb anymore. Once they got to the top there was water and Stanley started to sing a song. Once he sang this song the curse was broken over Stanley's family. The curse could only be broken through someone in Stanley's family carrying up someone from Zero's family. However, they didn't know that at the time because Zero is related to the old woman who put the curse on on Stanley's family. After the curse was broken Stanley and Zero go back to the holes at the camp and start to dig while everyone was still sleeping. The dug until finally they found the treasure that was buried. The boys were caught but they were able to keep the treasure because it had Stanley's name on it. The treasure was collected by a woman named Kissing Kate Barlow. She robbed every bank around and also stole Stanley's great grandfathers trunk that had his name on it which was Stanley Yelnats. Stanley's family got the money and they were able to buy a big home and live happily with Stanley and his friends from camp.
Another part was during all of this the father of Stanley was trying to come up with a material to put into shoes to make them not stink anymore. Once the curse was broken it came true and that added to their fortune.

Who would benefit from this book?
Anyone. It didn't have too many guidelines other than it should be for older children because they would understand it more then younger ones.

What problems might this cause?
That everything always works out in the end they way they want it to.

My reaction:
I really enjoyed the book. I thought it was a fun story line that was unique and a good page turner. Kept me guessing what was going to happen.