Holes

Stanley Yelnats just has the worst luck-- no thanks to his no good, pig-stealing great-great-great grandfather. Afer being accused of stealing a pair of tennis shoes, Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake, where there is no lake. All day, Stanley and his camp-mates are forced to dig holes. But what is it they are really digging for?

Discussion Questions

This list of discussion questions has been compiled from the Multnomah County Library and The Literary Link.

1. Why is the book called Holes?
2. Besides the boys, who else dug holes at Green Lake?
3. How does digging holes help Zero and Stanley survive?
4. Was there a hole in Stanley's life when he went to Camp Green Lake? Was it still there when he left? Why or why not?
5. What "holes" are there in the story for the reader? How are they "filled in"?
6. Compare the song that appears throughout the book with the version that ends the book. How does the tone and meaning change? How does that reflect the changes that occurred in the book?
7. At the heart of this story is a fable. Discuss the moral of this fable.
8. There are some ethnic considerations elements in this story. What are they? How are these situations connected to a transcendence of these same elements?
9. Friendship. What is it? How do Stanley and Zero develop their friendship? What do they sacrifice?

Links

Holes-- The Movie

This Disney site offers a fun look into the movie "Holes" inlcuding interactive games, trivia, and the movie trailer.

City of Austin Mayor's Book Club

After a poll of community members and libraries, the Austin Mayor's Office chose Holes to be the book for the Keep Austin Reading Campaign.

Eduscapes on Holes

This site offers a wonderful array of informational links related to the book. Teacher resources, subject links and other sites relating to the book and the author can be found at this great page!

Multnomah County Library Holes Discussion Guide

A summary and very good discussion guide can be found here.

The Literary Link Holes Discussion Guide

A hoity-toity literary discussion guide to the book. It's pretty out-there!

Louis Sachar's Home Page

Check out the author's own web pages!