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Holes
(Holes #1)
by
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
...more
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Paperback, 233 pages
Published
September 2nd 2000
by Scholastic
(first published August 20th 1998)
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Maryam
The book is wayyyyyyyyyy better then the movie i really liked the book
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Start your review of Holes (Holes, #1)

I am very sad that I never read this as a young person, because I think that I would have loved it even more than I do now. I think that it probably would have blown my mind. I have to applaud Louis Sachar for being so courageous in a children’s novel.
Effortlessly weaving together the past, present, and ancient history of these characters, Mr. Sachar examines the impact of our history and the nature of hope and human compassion, all while maintaining a light, humorous quality. This is a book for ...more
Effortlessly weaving together the past, present, and ancient history of these characters, Mr. Sachar examines the impact of our history and the nature of hope and human compassion, all while maintaining a light, humorous quality. This is a book for ...more

Holes (Holes, #1), Louis Sachar
Holes is a 1998 young adult mystery comedy novel written by Louis Sachar and first published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Stanley Yelnats IV is a 14-year-old boy from a hard-working but poor family. Stanley's latest stroke of misfortune occurs when he is wrongfully convicted of stealing a pair of athletic shoes that belonged to the famous baseball player Clyde "Sweet Feet" Livingston, who donated the shoes for a charity auction.
He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a j ...more
Holes is a 1998 young adult mystery comedy novel written by Louis Sachar and first published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Stanley Yelnats IV is a 14-year-old boy from a hard-working but poor family. Stanley's latest stroke of misfortune occurs when he is wrongfully convicted of stealing a pair of athletic shoes that belonged to the famous baseball player Clyde "Sweet Feet" Livingston, who donated the shoes for a charity auction.
He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a j ...more

This book is so much fun! I used to take clippings from magazines with book reviews, found an old clipping about this book cleaning up the house recently and thought... mmm... let's read this one. Timing was impeccable. I went through an explosive challenging period of really hard work and high pressure in the office and this book made me look forward to reading if only a few pages when coming home. A quirky funny story about a boy called Stanley who is sent to 'Green Camp Lake', a boy's detenti
...more

Funny story: I'm trying to shelve this book, and can't remember if it had been banned (but I thought it had - google confirmed). At the same time, my friend Allison and I are chatting on Google Chat, and she starts ranting about how ridiculous book banning is (an opinion with which I agree wholeheartedly). Anyway, the conversation went like this:
me: Is Holes a banned book? I can't remember
allison: dunno... the whole concept of banned books is stupid. I mean, you could find a reason to gripe abo ...more
me: Is Holes a banned book? I can't remember
allison: dunno... the whole concept of banned books is stupid. I mean, you could find a reason to gripe abo ...more

I knew of a friend who lost everything when her father started digging holes. You see, her dad was a treasure hunter. And to be a treasure hunter, you are supposed to be well equipped and with good manpower. You must also be in possession of a reliable map and a lot of time. You also need a lot of money to be able to acquire all the above things. Unfortunately, my friend's father only acquired a fake map, swindlers for company and equipment worth nothing when you're digging the wrong hole. Littl
...more

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but it seems I'm no longer absolutely cool in my daughter's eyes. I could understand if her particular issues with me were current fashion or "the" things to do while hanging out with friends, but books? BOOKS?!? Oh, the pain!
I don't say anything about the girly girl preteen drivel she loves to read (after all, I occasionally read girly girl grownup drivel) and I recommend a wide range of books (while keeping in mind she doesn't have the same penchant for s ...more
I don't say anything about the girly girl preteen drivel she loves to read (after all, I occasionally read girly girl grownup drivel) and I recommend a wide range of books (while keeping in mind she doesn't have the same penchant for s ...more

One of the best books ever. Gets better every time, too!
Read it aloud to my kids aged 7, 10, & 14, & they couldn't get enough! ...more
Read it aloud to my kids aged 7, 10, & 14, & they couldn't get enough! ...more

"There is no lake at Camp Green Lake."
Quick backstory: this is one of my thirteen year old brother's favourite books. He was the one who recommended it to me. And I'm glad he did, because this book is one heck of a gripping, entertaining and intelligent story. This is the book all the cool kids in middle school were reading with their popped collars, Livestrong bands and wannabe-Justin-Bieber hairstyles. This book is just on this whole new level of awesomeness. and, keep in mind that I say t ...more
Quick backstory: this is one of my thirteen year old brother's favourite books. He was the one who recommended it to me. And I'm glad he did, because this book is one heck of a gripping, entertaining and intelligent story. This is the book all the cool kids in middle school were reading with their popped collars, Livestrong bands and wannabe-Justin-Bieber hairstyles. This book is just on this whole new level of awesomeness. and, keep in mind that I say t ...more

Holes is one of my favorite books of all time. The whole thing is just so clever. The writing style is simple, but not boring. Every character is amazingly developed and believable. I like how the story of the present and the story of the past connect to each other perfectly in the end. And the movie version is really good, too! I highly suggest this book to everyone.

Thoughtful and studious read. I can't say anything bad about the book since every chapter made perfect sense. It just didn't bring out any emotion in me. Also, I found myself a bit bored throughout the flashbacks. I think the biggest problem is that I'm too old for this book, though I know it sounds a little pretentious.
Stanley's family was cursed by a gypsy because of his great great great Pig-stealing-Grandpa. His dad tries to make a formula to get rid of the smell of old worn-out sneakers. U ...more
Stanley's family was cursed by a gypsy because of his great great great Pig-stealing-Grandpa. His dad tries to make a formula to get rid of the smell of old worn-out sneakers. U ...more

I was picking up some books at the resale shop and for some reason found myself browsing in the children’s books. It seemed like the usual fare at first, some Dr. Seuss, a mangy copy of a Clifford book, a few ratty Choose Your Own Adventure paperbacks, Hugh Hefner’s autobiography, some smut called “The Very Virile Viking”, and “Pimp” by Iceberg Slim. Tucked amongst all this tawdry trash was something called “Holes”, which seemed to make sense sandwiched between “Pimp” and Hef’s life saga.
I soon ...more
I soon ...more

Feb 05, 2008
Mary Taitt
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Mary by:
Erwin
Shelves:
young-adult
Holes, by Louis Sachar, 5/5. It was really good; I loved it. It's a young adult novel from which a movie was made. I have not seen the movie, but I hope to. The book is a Newberry Award Winner.
Stanley Yelnats is falsely accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and set to Camp Green Lake, for criminal boys. To build character, the boys get up at 4:30 every morning and dig holes--big holes. If they find anything unusual, they are supposed to report it. But the warden isn't looking for fossils or pre ...more
Stanley Yelnats is falsely accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and set to Camp Green Lake, for criminal boys. To build character, the boys get up at 4:30 every morning and dig holes--big holes. If they find anything unusual, they are supposed to report it. But the warden isn't looking for fossils or pre ...more

This was heading for the full five stars right up until the ending, which for me, just felt rushed and anti-climactic. It was as if the author simply ran out of steam and wanted to quickly wrap everything up, which is a great shame, because up until then the book had been pretty much perfect.
Sachar gets so much right here. The writing is top-drawer: the intersecting stories and flashback tales about Stanley's family history are woven through the plot quite brilliantly, creating an entirely comp ...more
Sachar gets so much right here. The writing is top-drawer: the intersecting stories and flashback tales about Stanley's family history are woven through the plot quite brilliantly, creating an entirely comp ...more

“There is no lake at Camp Green Lake.”
a review of this book is up on my channel! :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhq60...
I absolutely adored this book! I don't remember when I had so much fun reading a children's book, even though I read so many of them! This was one of those fast-paced stories that you just can't put down until you are done with them. Stanley is such a lovely main character, and it's so easy to empathize with him! Not to mention there is a Latvian character ahah xD Loved it ...more

a review of this book is up on my channel! :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhq60...
I absolutely adored this book! I don't remember when I had so much fun reading a children's book, even though I read so many of them! This was one of those fast-paced stories that you just can't put down until you are done with them. Stanley is such a lovely main character, and it's so easy to empathize with him! Not to mention there is a Latvian character ahah xD Loved it ...more

"If only, if only," the woodpecker sighs,
"The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies."
While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,
Crying to the moo-oo-oon,
"If only, If only.”
OH. MY. GOD! 5 FREAKING STARS are simply not enough to do justice to this little gem of a book!
My first fulll-length read of 2016, and I couldn't have asked for a better book! And I just happened to pick it up by chance. It so happened that I was looking for an audiobook for my daily commute, and that bumped this de ...more
"The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies."
While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,
Crying to the moo-oo-oon,
"If only, If only.”
OH. MY. GOD! 5 FREAKING STARS are simply not enough to do justice to this little gem of a book!
My first fulll-length read of 2016, and I couldn't have asked for a better book! And I just happened to pick it up by chance. It so happened that I was looking for an audiobook for my daily commute, and that bumped this de ...more

Aug 11, 2009
Erin
added it
Everybody knows who this man is, right?
I mean, I'm looking over the reviews for this book on the front page and I can find no mention. There's not a whisper of the author's previous successes. I'm absolutely flabbergasted that the word "Wayside" is not coming up in any of my "control+F" searches. Absolutely nothing.
"Sideways Stories from Wayside School"?! Really?! The absolute greatest story about an elementary school ever told? The one built sideways accidentally, with no 13th floor? Mrs. Gorf? ...more
I mean, I'm looking over the reviews for this book on the front page and I can find no mention. There's not a whisper of the author's previous successes. I'm absolutely flabbergasted that the word "Wayside" is not coming up in any of my "control+F" searches. Absolutely nothing.
"Sideways Stories from Wayside School"?! Really?! The absolute greatest story about an elementary school ever told? The one built sideways accidentally, with no 13th floor? Mrs. Gorf? ...more

If you're looking for something that's wacky-crazy and has a cleverly twisted plot, this one's for you. Who thought reading about digging holes in the scorching heat could be so entertaining!
Ages 10+
Cleanliness
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 7 Incidents: duh, golly, stupid, stupidity, h*ll
Name Calling - 16 Incidents: No-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather (an affectionate/teasing nickname), Barf Bag (a boy's nickname), stupid, The Devil Woman
Religious Pr ...more
Ages 10+
Cleanliness
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 7 Incidents: duh, golly, stupid, stupidity, h*ll
Name Calling - 16 Incidents: No-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather (an affectionate/teasing nickname), Barf Bag (a boy's nickname), stupid, The Devil Woman
Religious Pr ...more

LET ME START OFF BY SAYING THAT I ABSOLUTELY HATED EVERY PAGE OF THIS BOOK THAT I READ. THE REPETITION WAS STARTING TO ANNOY ME JUST BECAUSE THE BOOK WAS ALWAYS LIKE, STANLEY THIS STANLEY THAT. OKAY I GET IT THE MAIM CHARACTER IS STANLEY BUT CAN WE AT LEAST GO 2 LINES WITHOUT MENTIONING THE MAIN CHARACTERS FREAKING NAME, LIKE FOR REAL AFTER A WHILE THE NAME STANLEY YELNATS STARTS TO GET ON YOUR NERVES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ANNOY ME THE MOST WAS WHEN THE AUTHOR MENTIONED THAT AT CAMP GREEN LAKE ...more

Holes is the first installment in Louis Sachar's middle grade/young adult series titled: Holes. Again, I'm so happy to say I've found joy in reading along with my 5th grade son. This academic year has been full of fun required reading and that makes me so happy for him. It's hard to be excited about required reading but it helps so much when the content is entertaining.
I watched the film adaptation of Holes prior to reading the book, but I'm happy to say the two are almost exactly the same. Wel ...more
I watched the film adaptation of Holes prior to reading the book, but I'm happy to say the two are almost exactly the same. Wel ...more

What a funny, adventurous story. I didn't know the movie was made from a book, so imagine my surprise to find this book at a local second hand book swap. I loved the book, it reminded me of the goonies book. Very easy read and enjoyable.
This book is in the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up challenge I am doing. ...more
This book is in the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up challenge I am doing. ...more

Jan 20, 2019
Juli
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
backlist-read-2019,
read-audiobooks-2019
I have been wanting to read this book for years, but I never seemed to get around to it! Well, this year I made a pact with myself to read more of the stories I want to read, so this book made it to the top of my TBR list finally!
OMG! I loved this story! I wish I hadn't waited so long!
Stanley Yelnats believes he lives under a curse that finally ran him afoul with the law. He's innocent of the petty crime he is convicted of, but there is no sense arguing with the curse. So, he gets sentenced to ...more
OMG! I loved this story! I wish I hadn't waited so long!
Stanley Yelnats believes he lives under a curse that finally ran him afoul with the law. He's innocent of the petty crime he is convicted of, but there is no sense arguing with the curse. So, he gets sentenced to ...more

Zero wasn't worried. "When you spend your whole life living in a hole," he said, "the only way you can go is up."
Holes is so brilliant and so original! Literally no other book in the universe is quite like it.
And we can all take a brief moment and appreciate how the movie is one of the best adaptations of this story ever. Like, nearly everything is parallel with the book to the movie. For once, it actually feels like you can watch the book instead of the movie adaptation, you know what I mean?

Th ...more
Holes is so brilliant and so original! Literally no other book in the universe is quite like it.
And we can all take a brief moment and appreciate how the movie is one of the best adaptations of this story ever. Like, nearly everything is parallel with the book to the movie. For once, it actually feels like you can watch the book instead of the movie adaptation, you know what I mean?

Th ...more

Dec 28, 2016
Leah Jay
added it
I was so touched by this book.
All the characters were amazing!
The plot kept me on my toes!
The writing was superb!
This one is definitely going in my list of books everyone should read.
That means you need to read it, too!
All the characters were amazing!
The plot kept me on my toes!
The writing was superb!
This one is definitely going in my list of books everyone should read.
That means you need to read it, too!

“It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather!”
I can't believe I didn't read this when I was younger! Thankfully, I finally picked it up and gave it a shot.
Holes is about Stanley, an overweight young boy who after accidentally stealing a shoe (yes, accidently!) goes to trial for theft. He is then forced by the judge to pick between jail time or go to Camp Green Lake. Stanley, of course, chooses the camp option thinking it will be fun and games ...more
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Louis Sachar (pronounced Sacker), born March 20, 1954, is an American author of children's books.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working ...more
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working ...more
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Holes
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“If only, if only," the woodpecker sighs,
"The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies."
While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,
Crying to the moo-oo-oon,
"If only, If only.”
—
594 likes
"The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies."
While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,
Crying to the moo-oo-oon,
"If only, If only.”
“It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather!”
—
155 likes
More quotes…