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Summary: Holes
Review: Jon cBook review Holes by Louis Sachar
10-01-03 In The story Holes by Louis Sachar there are many good relationships between people. One of the best relationships was between zero and Stanley they had the best friendship in the book.
The story had many characters, and things such as yellow spotted lizards. These could kill you. Anyway boys who did something wrong were sent to a camp for bad people. This camp is called camp Green Lake. These people were sent there to dig 5 foot deep and 5 foot across any part of the hole for discipline. I would think that rumor would spread and that no one would send their kids to a camp like that. I like how there are things that aren't real in life like yellow spotted lizards. They make the story so much more exciting.
Without a doubt I think that this book was great! And I would recommend it to kids and adults age ten and up
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Summary: Holes was great!
Review: Holes is book by Louis Sachar. It is a mix between realistic fiction and adventure fiction. It had adventure from start to finish. This book is about a young boy named Stanley Yelnats who is accused of stealing "Sweet Feet's" famous shoes. Stanely's
punishment is going to a correctional facilaty called Camp Green Lake where he has to go into a dried up lake where he has to dig up holes. During his time at camp he goes through crazy adventures and meets some new and interesting people. I would definetely recommend it to anyone looking for a great book to sit and read with. I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm looking forward to reading many other books by Louis Sachar.
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Summary: My thoughts about the book, Holes
Review: I decided to do an online book review about the book Holes, written by Louis Sachar. This book is fiction. Holes is about a young boy, named Stanley Yelnats. One day Stanley was walking and these pair of shoes fell on Stanley. Stanley was carrying them, until something went wrong. The shoes had been stolen from an orphanage. Stanley got caught steeling the shoes, although he was innocent. Stanley was faced to go to jail, or go to Camp Green Lake. Stanley has never been to a camp, so he decided to go there. However, when Stanley arrived at Camp Green Lake, it was not green, and it did not have a Lake. It was more like a desert that had sand and a bunch of holes. This made the story very interesting because it made you think, how did they get the name Camp Green Lake? When Stanley arrived at Camp Green Lake, he had to dig a whole that was five feet deep and five feet wide. He had to dig a whole every day. Stanley gets made fun of a lot at camp. He even got into a fight with X-Ray. Later in the book, you will find that Stanley meets a friend and they go on a little journey. Will they ever come back? Read the book, it will keep u wanting to read, with suspension. This book is very adventurous and you will be sure to love it! So take my advice read the book!
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Summary: Holes has Literary Merit
Review: Holes is a book with great literary merit. Sachar uses subtle humor to weave a story that entertains the reader and keeps their interest in the details. It is ironic that Stanley Yelnats is falsely accused of stealing Clyde "Sweet Feet" Livingston's sneakers that were donated to help raise money for a homeless shelter, while his father spends his days trying to invent a way to recycle old sneakers. As punishment Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake. Later in the story we find out it was Zero, another boy at the camp, who had stolen the sneakers. He put them on a car and they fell from an overpass and hit Stanley on the head. This is certainly an odd but believable explanation. The rest of the characters we meet are all believable. The group of boys at the camp with Stanley all have nicknames such as Zero, X-Ray, Armpit, and Magnet. The boys call their counselor, Mr. Pendanski, Mom because he has a fat heart. The nicknames all have something to do with each character's uniqueness. "You know why his name's Zero?" "Because there's nothing inside his head." The boys dig holes 5 feet deep, and 5 feet wide every day. The shovels are 5 feet long and the boys use their shovels to measure the holes. X-Ray always uses his own special shovel that he claims is shorter than the others although if it is shorter it is only by a quarter of an inch.
The plot asks a subtle but major dramatic question. Before Stanley begins to dig holes, Mr. Pendanski tells him if he finds anything interesting or unusual he should report it. "What are we supposed to be looking for?" Stanley asked him. "You're not looking for anything. You're digging to build character. It's just if you find anything, the warden would like to know about it." The reader cares about what they might find and needs to read on to find out.
Sachar uses precise descriptive vocabulary when he describes the "wreck room" where the boys spend their free time. He writes, "Nearly everything in the room was broken; the TV, the pinball machine, the furniture. Even the people looked broken, with their worn-out bodies sprawled over the various chairs and sofas." The reader gets a clear picture of where the boys spend their leisure time.
While telling us Stanley's story the author also uses flashback style to tell us the story of Stanley's "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather" and the curse. The other story we learn about is that of Kissing Kate and what the Warden is looking for in the holes. Sachar puts all three of these stories together for us like a jigsaw puzzle. Even young readers will have no trouble following this writing style.
A major theme that runs through the book is the curse that Stanley's family is plagued by. At the end of the story mostly everything falls into place. Stanley's mother insists there never was a curse but there sure are a lot of interesting coincidences. The reader is left to read in between the lines and fill in the holes for themselves.
This book would best be suited for grades 4-8. As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to my friends. I would want to read this book a loud to students in grades 4 and 5. I would discuss the desert, desert life, and desert animals. The book takes place in Texas, therefore we would study about Texas. As I read a loud, I would ask the students to make predictions about what they think will happen next.
In grades 6 - 8 , I would focus on topics such as juvenile detention, adolescent friendships, homelessness and self-esteem.
All audiences that read Holes will find it both funny and moving. I recommend everyone grade 4 and above read Holes.
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Summary: Holes
Review: The title of this book is holes. The author is Louis Sachar. It is a adventure fiction book. This book is about a boy named Stanley who is framed for stealing. Although Stanley gets sent away to camp he gets a very good friend named Zero. They are in a desert and Stanley has to dig holes while there. He digs and finds part of a treasure. Not knowing what it is he gives it away. I really liked this book. I would reccommend this to anyone who likes adventure.
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Summary: Reading this book builds Character not digging holes
Review: I am a prospective teacher from PA, and I must delcare that this was one of the most amazing childrens books I have ever read. It kept me turning the pages long into the midnight hours. I found that I finished the book in two sittings, it was that captivating. Now with that out of the way let me explain why I feel that this book deserves the 5 stars I have bestowed upon it.
Louis Sacher is a brilliant author who creates realistic and loveable characters, that I feel are easy enough for his target audience to relate to. The setting of the book puts the characters at every 14 year olds worst nightmare, Camp Green Lake. "There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. There once was a very large lake here, the largest lake in Texas."(Pg 1) The setting although fantastic, is actually quite believeable. This is ability to take fiction and make it identifiably real is one of my favorite qualities about Sachers writing style.
Sacher leads his main character Stanley Yelnats into a wildly imaginative plot. Although the plot may seem simple there are many surprise revelations woven throughout, like what onion juice is for, and what the mystery initials mean.
I felt that although there were dual stories, you could always find the relationship from one to the other. The major dramatic question that prevails through the novel is "Whats the real reason for the kids to dig holes?". The warden feels that digging holes builds character, but Stanley knows that theres something there supposed to be looking for. I think it is amazing that Sacher uses his disbelief to fuel the readers into questioning the warden as well.
The book flows very naturally there are never dull moments, and yet you never feel overwhelmed. I feel that the pacing is perfect. And along with that I feel that Sacher puts Irony and Humor to great use with the nick-names of the boys at camp. I like that Armpit is called this because "He smells like an armpit", and Zero is nick-named because "Theres nothing inside his head."
I feel that this book is great for demonstrating the bond of friendship, comradary, and the importance of believing in yourself. I would use it in class to teach a lesson on morals, and the ideas of right and wrong. There are so many characters that battle with these ethic concepts that it would be a cinch for children to identify and elaborate on them.
Lastly, I feel that there isnt a child out there that wouldnt be captivated by this book. Theres just something about Holes that makes you feel part of the story. You dont just read about the characters you fall in love with them, and you dont just know about Camp Green Lake, you feel like your really there. I hope that you have as much fun reading this book as I did. Oh.....and watch out for the lizards!
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Summary: Digging for character
Review: Holes is a very interesting novel. It is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Stanley gets sent to Juvenile Correctional Facility for a crime he didn't commit. He was accused of stealing Clyde Livingston's sneakers. In court, "Clyde Livingston testified that they were his sneakers and that he had donated them to help raise money for the homeless shelter. He said he couldn't imagine what kind of horrible person would steal from homeless children." Since Clyde testified this, Stanley's parents had the choice to send him to jail or Camp Green Lake. His parents didn't have much time to think so they decided to send him to camp not knowing what to expect. Stanley goes on to say " It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather." The camp wasn't what Stanley pictured as a young boy, there is was no lake, green shrubbery, or trees for miles. The camp was in the middle of nowhere in the desert. Staley's job every day was to dig a hole, five feet wide and five feet deep. While digging the delinquents had to be careful of the snakes, scorpions, and deadly yellow spotted lizards. This book is a mystery and comedy put together. At first Stanley wasn't excepted by the other children, but as the story went on, they excepted him and even gave him the nickname "caveman." The boys realize that the warden is looking for something, that is the only reason for digging the holes. So "Zero," one of the other delinquents and Stanley come up with a plan to find a hidden treasure that they could keep for themselves.
Sachar's story keeps the readers interest and allows for the story to flow quickly. The pacing and style are very appropriate for this story. He also uses understatement at times to create the mystery, such as the time Zero was trying to explain that his name wasn't Zero, it was Hector. The characters and setting are both unique and believable, because a child knows that if they do something wrong they will be punished. In this case stealing is bad, and Stanley was punished. This story is a great way of displaying two separate stories to the reader, even though the reader might have been confused at times the importance of Stanley's family history. The vocabulary was also appropriate for a ten year old and was written for a wide range of readers. The mood and tone were very believable, as a reader you actually felt as though you were there. I think a ten year old would find this story entertaining and they could learn a lesson from it. If I were to teach a 4th grade class I would read this story with them and have them make predictions throughout the whole story. Overall this was a fantastic book.
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Summary: Holes-Online Book Review
Review: The book that I chose to use for my online book review is Holes by Louis Sachar. In my opinion, I feel that this book is high in literary merit for numerous reasons. For instance, the book has an excellent plot and a most believable setting. The setting is a boy's detention center known as Camp Green Lake. There the boys are supposed to dig holes to help build up their characters. The characters are extremely believable as well. Their names are great too such as Stanley, Zero, Armpit, Magnet, Xray and Zigzag. The dialogue among the characters makes it even more realistic, especially since the characters all have nick names it lets the reader get to know the characters even more. " The white boy sits around while the black boy does all the work. Ain't that right, Caveman?" (pg. 117) This book addresses real life issues that children will come across. Issues of theft, difference in race, bullying, telling the truth or even just being the newcomer. The dramatic question is extremely motivating throughout the entire book making the reader want to continue on reading to find out what will happen next. An example of this would be finding out who really stole Clyde Livingston's shoes if Stanley didn't? Why are they really digging these holes? If the children will survive on their own? Or if the yellow-spotted lizards will get them? It just keeps the reader in suspense and they are curious to find out the answers. The writer's pacing and style is appropriate to the content. It is full of action and humor such as "Its all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!" (pg.7) There is always something happening. The sentence length is varied and the story itself flows rather well.
I would also say that his book is high on the taste level as well. This is a book that children have an interest in and they can relate to it due to its realistic ideas. For these reasons I feel that it will be an enjoyable book for just about any audience with curiosity. Since the book is parallel stories (two separate stories) it is recommended for children of at least age 9 but I am 22 and I enjoyed the book. This book could be used in the class to explain the importance of telling the truth and honesty. It could also go along with the simple idea of friendship or working together. It could be used to address issues of race or even bullying. It could be used in a science class pertaining to a unit on archeology or excavations/fossils. It could go along with a social studies unit about the geography of the land or deserts. All in all i feel it is an excellent book for all of the above reasons and that it is both high in both literary merit and taste!
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Summary: The Dirt on Holes
Review: Holes, by Louis Sacher, is one of the best novels that I have read in a long time. The dialogue between the characters gave the reader a sense of actually knowing them. The conversations in the story were believable to the reader because they could be real. The conversations that were written were conversations that anyone could hear among boys that age. Not only were the conversations among the characters believable; the characters themselves were believable as well. Stanley Yelnats, the main character, is the typical overweight kid who is usually left out of things. He is not a bad kid, but is always in the wrong place at the wrong time, and this time it is serious. The other characters in the story, X-ray, Zero, Armpit and Zigzag, to name a few, are also very believable. The reader can tell that the boys take on certain roles on Group D. X-ray, for example, is the leader of the group. This is obvious when they boys eat and get their water from the truck; X-ray is always first. He also gets the shortest shovel with no questions asked. Zero, on the other hand, is the smallest boy in group D. He was always last until Stanley came to camp and he doesn't talk too often. Being able to make the characters come to life to the reader is one aspect that makes Louis Sacher a skilled writer. Sacher also shows that he is a skilled writer by having two story lines going on simultaneously throughout the book. The story of Stanley Yelnats and his trials and tribulations at Camp Green Lake is the main focus. The underlying story is the legend of Kissing Kate Barlow. Sacher has these two stories going throughout the book without confusion to the reader, which is not an easy thing to do. The legend of Kissing Kate Barlow is also a great way that Sacher uses understatement in the book. There are several hints given throughout the main story that lets the reader piece together to figure out what significance Kate Barlow has in the book. At the end of the story is obvious when Stanley and Zero dig out the suitcase that the Wardon has been looking for for years. One of the surprises that I experienced in the book was when Zero told Stanley his birth name, Hector Zeroni. I thought that was ironic with the past discussion of Stanley's great, great, great grandfather and Madame Zeroni. I won't say too much more about is, you will have to read the book to find out the rest.
Readers age ten and up would really enjoy this book. In this day and age, there a lot of kids who could either relate to the book them self or know someone who has been in a similar situation. The twists and turns of this book definitely will keep the reader on their toes. It has some suspense in it along with surprise observations understatement. One of the best ways to describe Camp Green Lake was said by Mr. Sir when he said, "You're not in girl scouts anymore." In the classroom, it would be fun to incorporate this book into an archeology lesson. The teacher could make up her own story about a treasure and have the students figure out clues to try and find it.
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Summary: Holes: An Instant Classic
Review: Louis Sachar's Holes is the story of Stanley Yelnats. Stanley is a boy who is sent to a detention camp for a crime he didn't commit. He quickly learns that Camp Greenlake is not your normal summer camp. Stanley and his fellow campers are forced to dig holes everyday to better their characters. He quickly realizes there is more to the digging than redemption. I think that children can relate to Stanley. He is a boy with a low self esteem who thinks his life is doomed for failure. "He didn't have any friends at home. He was overweight and the kids often teased him about his size." Many readers can relate to feeling bad about themselves. Holes is a book that really pulls you in. It weaves a story of the past and the present. It really leaves you on the edge of the seat wanting to know how the stories tie together. I found myself dying to know what the boys were really digging for. I really found myself believing in the story and wanting to know more. Where Zero and Stanley really going to make it out safely? My favorite part of the book was the change that Stanley went through. My favorite line would be, "While Mrs. Bell, Stanley's former math teacher, might want to know the percentage change in Stanley's weight, the reader probably cares more about the change in Stanley's character and self-confidence. But those changes are subtle and hard to measure. There is no simple answer". I found it really inspiring how Stanley used his experience at Camp Greenlake and learned to believe in himself. Holes is another prime example of Louis Sachar's creative and imaginative mind. It is an exciting and humorous tale that leaves you wanting more.
I think that this would be a great book for children in 4th grade or older. This book could be used in the classroom for read aloud or even silent sustained reading. This would be a good book to practice predicting and discussing what will happen next. It could also be used to talk about the desert climate that the boys are forced to dig in. The story of Kissin' Kate Barlow could relate to a discussion about tall tales. I think that Holes is a great book for people of any age to read. It would be a perfect addition to any classroom library.
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