Review: HOLES, Genre 6, Fiction, Fantasy, and YA

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Sachar, Louis. 1998. HOLES. New York, NY: Dell Yearling. ISBN 0440419468 2. PLOT SUMMARY This is the story of a boy who is sent to a detention facility for a crime which he did not commit. At the facility the boys are punished by digging a five foot deep and five foot wide hole in the extreme heat each day. 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Characterization In this novel the characters are revealed through the narration, in conversations, and by the thoughts of the character. The main character, Stanley, is believable. He is not all that strong in the beginning. “He didn’t have any friends at home. He was overweight and the kids at his middle school often teased him about his size. Even his teachers sometimes made cruel comments without realizing it.” Through out the story Stanley grows in character and strength. By the end of the novel Stanley is strong in mind and physical strength. “Higher and higher he climbed. His strength came from somewhere deep inside himself and also seemed to come from the outside as well.” The characters from this story come from several different ethnic backgrounds. There is no stereotyping; the boys all behave in a similar manner at the camp. They grow to depend on each other. The characters in this story are interesting and can be identified with. They are all very human and have strengths and weaknesses. The main character, Stanley Yelnats comes from a family with a long history of bad luck which stems from an old curse. The characters definitely grow in this story. Stanley is unworldly, weak and unpopular in the beginning. He develops into an intelligent and strong young man by the end of the story. Young Adults will be able to identify with Stanley and his imperfections and they will be encouraged as they see him grow in strength and character. Plot This story is about what happens to boys whom have gotten into trouble in society and what they go through as a consequence. In this case they are sent to Camp Green Lake and made to dig a daily five foot deep by five foot round hole into the hard ground in the hot sun. At first it seems that the purpose of digging the holes is only punishment but it soon becomes apparent that there is an additional reason why the warden has the boys digging these daily holes. In this book there is a secondary story which actually sets up the events for the present and primary story. The secondary story begins many years earlier and explains why Stanley and his family have habitual bad luck and the reason the warden wants the holes dug. This secondary story makes the primary story more believable. The story is interesting and there is action, especially when Stanley follows another boy who has escaped from the camp and flees into the barren desert to the far away mountains. They prove that perseverance and friendship can beat the odds and they come out on the top in the end. Setting The setting of the main story is in a huge dried up lake bed in a very hot and dry part of Texas. This setting helps to maximize the hard times which the boys at the camp are going through. The setting is established at the very beginning of the book. “There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. There once was a very large lake here, the largest lake in Texas. That was over a hundred years ago. Now it is just a dry, flat wasteland.” There are only two trees to be found and the only other natural inhabitants are rattlesnakes, scorpions, and yellow-spotted lizards. “You don’t want to be bitten by a yellow spotted lizard. That’s the worst thing that can happen to you. You will die a slow and painful death.” Theme The theme in this story is good verses bad. Stanley uses courage and intelligence to outsmart the warden. Friendship is also an important theme in this story. The boys support each other, are able to get through the day and facilitate each others survival. At the end of the story Stanley actually risks his own life to ensure the safety of his friend. Stanley escapes the camp by attempting to steal a truck to find his friend Zero. Zero has been missing for four days in the tremendous heat. Stanley finds Zero and they use their wits and strength to make it back to camp where they solve the mystery. Style The writing in this novel is very realistic. The secondary story really makes the primary story more interesting and believable. The dialogue and characters are believable and appropriate to their ages. The action is interesting and fast paced. Young adults, especially boys, will identify with the situations and will enjoy reading this book. 4. REVIEW EXCERPTS Amazon.com - It's a strange story, but strangely compelling and lovely too. Publishers Weekly - PW's starred review of the 1999 Newbery Medal winner described it as a "dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism." From School Library Journal - Starred review, “A multitude of colorful characters coupled with the skillful braiding of ethnic folklore, American legend, and contemporary issues is a brilliant achievement. There is no question, kids will love Holes.”The New York Times Book Review – “Sachar inserts humor that gives the suspense steep edges; the tone is as full of surprises as the plot.” Parents Choice - A 1999 Parents' Choice® Recommendation. 5. CONNECTIONS *Related literature: STANLEY YELNATS SURVIVAL GUIDE TO CAMP GREENLAKE, ISBN # 0747563659. *Other books by Louis Sachar: THERE’S A BOY IN THE GIRLS BATHROOM, ISBN 0747552576, SMALL STEPS, ISBN 0385733143, DOGS DON’T TELL JOKES, ISBN # 0679833722, and THE BOY WHO HAD NO FACE, ISBN # 0394928636.