Holes by Louis Sachar
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 boys build character by spending all day, every day, digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes. 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. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humerous tale of crime and punishment - and redemeption. (from back cover)
Ages: 10+
Well, now, here's an interesting story to review. To put it plainly, I'm not really sure why this book is so darn good. My friend and I often remark on how we don't really know why we like it. But we do. So here, I'll try to sum up the bad parts for you. You'll have to discover the good stuff on your own.
Things to consider:
Of course, there's the whole issue of Stanley being wrongly accused, the boys at Camp Green Lake all being juvenile delinquents, and the warden using virtually illegal manual labor to get what he wants. So there's that.
There is one use of h---.
There is this 'curse' on the Yelnat family which means there is a lot of talk of superstition. This is never exactly confirmed, but neither is it denied.
There is a continous issue of Kissin' Kate Barlow, a famous outlaw whose crimes are plainly described. People get shot, clawed, and bitten by poisonous snakes and lizards. It is plain but brief.
The Lord's name is used in vain once or twice.
Adults call kids 'stupid'.
Once again, I'm not really sure why this book is such a great story. Perhaps it's because it proves that a seemingly nobody can become someone great. Perhaps it's because it shows the true bonds of friendship. Perhaps it's because the cover illustration is in purple and orange. Whatever the reason, it is a cool story and strangly enough, I recommend it to readers. Odd, isn't it?
Happy reading!
~Thalia
Ages: 10+
Well, now, here's an interesting story to review. To put it plainly, I'm not really sure why this book is so darn good. My friend and I often remark on how we don't really know why we like it. But we do. So here, I'll try to sum up the bad parts for you. You'll have to discover the good stuff on your own.
Things to consider:
Of course, there's the whole issue of Stanley being wrongly accused, the boys at Camp Green Lake all being juvenile delinquents, and the warden using virtually illegal manual labor to get what he wants. So there's that.
There is one use of h---.
There is this 'curse' on the Yelnat family which means there is a lot of talk of superstition. This is never exactly confirmed, but neither is it denied.
There is a continous issue of Kissin' Kate Barlow, a famous outlaw whose crimes are plainly described. People get shot, clawed, and bitten by poisonous snakes and lizards. It is plain but brief.
The Lord's name is used in vain once or twice.
Adults call kids 'stupid'.
Once again, I'm not really sure why this book is such a great story. Perhaps it's because it proves that a seemingly nobody can become someone great. Perhaps it's because it shows the true bonds of friendship. Perhaps it's because the cover illustration is in purple and orange. Whatever the reason, it is a cool story and strangly enough, I recommend it to readers. Odd, isn't it?
Happy reading!
~Thalia
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