Holes

Holes. Louis Sachar. New York: Frances Foster Books, 1998. 233pp.
This novel by Louis Sachar is a suspenseful, intriguing book. The main characters are Stanley Yelnats, a falsely accused middle-school-aged boy, “X-ray,” “Armpit,” “Squid,” and “Zero.” They all meet at a boot camp called Camp Green Lake. Camp Green Lake isn’t really a lake at all; it’s only a past remembrance of what used to be there. The only view for the campers is yellow dust and desert for miles around. Everyday their job is to dig a five-feet deep and wide hole. Along with this assignment, they are obligated to give anything interesting they find to the Warden. This plays a big role in the outcome of the book. Stanley becomes friends with “Zero,” and uneducated boy whom no one really gives acknowledgment to. Towards the end everything in the story starts to come together and a mystery that has been going on for generations is solved. This novel is geared more towards junior high level children, but at the same time I enjoyed it.
Holes is written in a mysterious, jigsaw-puzzle way. It captured my attention right off the bat, and once I’d finished, I wanted to read it all over again. At first the story was a bit confusing, but then I began to see how it all fits together and became even more engrossed with it. I for one, have never read a book written quite like this one and I would highly recommend it for anyone who likes an adventure.
Book rating from 1-10: 8
By: Alix P