Holes (Holes Series)

Very enjoyable book with excitement and a happy ending! My son is enjoying reading it too at 9 years old!

“If only, if only,” the woodpecker sighs,The bark on the tree was a soft as the skies..."You know, I really dig this book.So, I do confess that I have watched the 2003 film countless times (hard to believe it is almost 20 years old…time flies) and so hearing that the film follows the book fairly closely there were no big surprises here. That still didn’t lessen the experience of a fantastic book. In fact, I would definitely say the book is a notch above for me and easily on of my favorites.I have sort of a love/hate relationship with young adult type novels. Oftentimes, they are either way too over the top schmaltzy and dripping with too much sentimentalism and not enough meat on their bones, or they are the opposite: filled with pretentious, unlikable “too cool for school” characters who get on a reader’s nerves, or there is too much in the way of unnecessary language, violence, etc. to be labelled a “young adult.” There is none of this in Holes.I’m sure everyone knows the basis of the story. Stanley Yelnuts inadvertently and mistakenly is sentenced to Camp Green Lake (ironic name) for his sentence. The boys at the facility are forced to give holes as a part of their “rehabilitation” and “character building.” But it seems clear that something is going on here.To me this is the definitive young adult novel in that it is breaks from the tropes of many young adult fare. It is everything that is fantastic about a novel. It has not only an exceptional story line, but also has two other alternating stories interweaved brilliantly within the plot that tie into Stanley’s story, among one of a family curse from years ago because of Stanley’s “no good, rotten, pig-stealing” great grandfather.Holes is heartfelt and inspiring and feels as much about overcoming, as friendship, importance of family, and coming to terms with tricky life situations. In a way it is a coming of age as well. There’s an innocent, naive quality to Stanley (who is our narrator) that is so refreshing and rewarding, and he’s easily someone you want to root for as you read about each upcoming predicament.Fabulous book, and it has become an instant favorite for me!

Bought for my grandson. Good book!

Louis Sachar is an American writer of children's books. He is best known for the series Sideways Stories from Wayside School and for the novels Pig City, in the UK, and Holes, which he has followed with two sequels.Camp Green Lake is neither a camp nor a lake; it is however a place for the detention of “bad boys” that have run amok of the law. Stanley Yelnats is one of the new “campers” sent to Camp Green Lake for stealing a pair of donated sneakers that once belonged to a famous ball player – he swears he didn’t steal them; they just fell from the sky and hit him on the head. So the judge gave Stanley a choice, he could go to jail or to Camp Green Lake. Being from a poor family, Stanley had never been to camp before. Thus begins the story of Stanley Yelnats, now known as ‘Caveman’ by the likes of ‘Zero’, ‘Armpit’, ‘X-ray’, ‘Magnet’ and ‘Zigzag’ as they head out each morning from camp to each dig a hole exactly five feet wide by five feet long by five feet deep in an old lake bed.“Holes” is a light-hearted story with some mystery, humor and attention getting scenes. It is well written and moves seamlessly from the past to the present in a way of explaining the relationship of events as the story moves along. It was a fun read and certainly should appeal to young adult readers as well. If you are thinking of taking a break I highly suggest you try “Holes”, you shouldn’t be disappointed.

Great book, I like the detail about Clyde Livingston and sploosh. My 9 year old and I listened to this together and it was wonderful

An endearing story about family, honor, friendship, and loyalty. A story that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

This is a very enjoyable book. I think it is geared for youthful readers. As a parent I would have no problem having my middle school children reading this book. There is no obscene or inappropriate language. The reason I read this book is that it is a selection of my book club. I am not sure exactly why it is a selection as my book club is mostly senior citizens and no very young members.The book itself is not lengthy. Many of the chapters are somewhat short and seems to me to be a fairly easy read. There is a lot of interesting coincidences that occur within the story in order to facilitate the story line. If this was serious adult fiction I would find the story not credible. However I think it makes a great story for youth. I would call it a version of a morality story. There are lessons in bullying, injustice, loyalty, selflessness, perseverance, etc... In the event that a reader from middle school to early adult read this book and liked it and wished to try a slightly more advanced reads that is still appropriate for a young adults, I respectfully submit "Girl, Stolen" by April Henry, and "Girls Like Us" by Gail Giles for consideration.In summary it was a pleasant, easy read. In the event that a parent might be looking for a lesser known book from an earlier time, I recently came upon a relatively short novel, "Understood Betsy" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. It is set in the early twentieth century in rural Vermont and is probably more for little girls. The book is not long, although some of the chapters are slightly long. Another book from an earlier time that I came upon is "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner, which may be for slightly younger children. Thank You...

Good book for kids