Holes

Louis Sacher, Holes, New York, USA, Scholastic, 1998, 233 pp. Children’s Book, Grades 4 & 5

Stanley Yelnats is boy who believes he is under a family curse as he is sent to Camp Green Lake, a place where bad boys are sent in Texas, as punishment for an alleged crime. After a boy by the name of Zero runs off from camp and Stanley learns he will not even be searched for, Stanley runs off into the desert to find him and bring him back to safety. The story is told from a third person point of view and through the use of suspenseful events the story bring to life the struggle of these two boys who had no one but each other and learn about survival the hard way.

Activity:

1. Discussion/Writing assignment: Teacher may ask children to think about a favorite family story (may involve struggle/adventure) they have and first take turn discussing it in groups. After given time children can take a few minutes to write their stories. Teach will encourage imagination and the use of expression.