1999 Newbery Award
Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. New York: Scholastic Inc.
1. What did I like or dislike about the book?
This book is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats (note that his name is a palindrome), whose family has had nothing but bad luck ever since a curse was placed upon his great, great grandfather for stealing a pig. Stanley gets charged for a crime that he does not commit, and chooses to do his time at Camp Green Lake instead of jail. Camp Green Lake isn't a lake or a camp, it is a juvenile correctional facility. Every day the boys have to dig a hole that is five feet wide, five feet long, and five feet deep in the hard, crusty, dried-up lake bed. The boys are told that the digging will help build character; however, Stanley soon realizes that the warden is actually looking for something. This book goes through some very bizarre twists and turns as Stanley tries to discover what they are looking for. The story moves back and forth between Stanley's story and his great, great, grandfather's story.
This strange story does not sound like a book I would normally like because I usually enjoy more realistic fiction. As soon as I began reading Holes, I couldn't put it down! Through all of the mystery and strangeness, Sachar wove a tale of friendship and a strong family bond.
2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?
I enjoyed reading about the friendships that evolved between some of the boys at Camp Green Lake. When I was growing up, I had a close group of girlfriends that lived in my neighborhood. I now enjoy watching my own two daughters (now going into 6th grade and 9th grade) still hanging around with friends that they made in kindergarten.
3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?
Louis Sachar's books are rather strange with lots of turns and twists. In Holes, Mr. Sachar took serious subjects such as juvenile delinquency, theft, and misfits and wrote about them in such a way that they become somewhat laughable. Another author that wrote along those same lines is Roald Dahl, author of books such as, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Matilda. In these books, Dahl wrote about topics such as abuse and poverty; however, managed to put a rather funny twist into the stories.
4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that people sometimes enjoy reading books that they don't think they will. If I had known what Holes was about, I might not have read it, but by going ahead and starting the book, I really liked it and kept reading. Educators need to encourage our students to branch out and try books that may differ from their ordinary choices. By doing this, they may find a book interesting that they normally would not have even given a second thought.
Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. New York: Scholastic Inc.
1. What did I like or dislike about the book?
This book is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats (note that his name is a palindrome), whose family has had nothing but bad luck ever since a curse was placed upon his great, great grandfather for stealing a pig. Stanley gets charged for a crime that he does not commit, and chooses to do his time at Camp Green Lake instead of jail. Camp Green Lake isn't a lake or a camp, it is a juvenile correctional facility. Every day the boys have to dig a hole that is five feet wide, five feet long, and five feet deep in the hard, crusty, dried-up lake bed. The boys are told that the digging will help build character; however, Stanley soon realizes that the warden is actually looking for something. This book goes through some very bizarre twists and turns as Stanley tries to discover what they are looking for. The story moves back and forth between Stanley's story and his great, great, grandfather's story.
This strange story does not sound like a book I would normally like because I usually enjoy more realistic fiction. As soon as I began reading Holes, I couldn't put it down! Through all of the mystery and strangeness, Sachar wove a tale of friendship and a strong family bond.
2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?
I enjoyed reading about the friendships that evolved between some of the boys at Camp Green Lake. When I was growing up, I had a close group of girlfriends that lived in my neighborhood. I now enjoy watching my own two daughters (now going into 6th grade and 9th grade) still hanging around with friends that they made in kindergarten.
3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?
Louis Sachar's books are rather strange with lots of turns and twists. In Holes, Mr. Sachar took serious subjects such as juvenile delinquency, theft, and misfits and wrote about them in such a way that they become somewhat laughable. Another author that wrote along those same lines is Roald Dahl, author of books such as, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Matilda. In these books, Dahl wrote about topics such as abuse and poverty; however, managed to put a rather funny twist into the stories.
4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?
I learned that people sometimes enjoy reading books that they don't think they will. If I had known what Holes was about, I might not have read it, but by going ahead and starting the book, I really liked it and kept reading. Educators need to encourage our students to branch out and try books that may differ from their ordinary choices. By doing this, they may find a book interesting that they normally would not have even given a second thought.
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