88 pages 2 hours read

Louis Sachar

Holes

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1998

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Louis Sachar’s Holes, Stanley Yelnats IV, wrongfully accused of theft, is sent to the harsh Camp Green Lake where boys dig holes daily under the watchful eye of a tyrannical warden. Amid flashbacks revealing an ancestral curse and tales of outlaw Kissin’ Kate Barlow, Stanley befriends Zero, uncovers buried secrets, and, through resilience and courage, ultimately breaks his family’s curse and restores their fortune. Themes of racial violence, torture, and wrongful imprisonment are present.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Louis Sachar's Holes is lauded for its intriguing plot and relatable characters, with many praising its clever intertwining of various storylines and themes of fate and justice. Critics point out some predictable elements and a slow start, but the story's unique humor and depth ultimately deliver a memorable read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Holes?

A reader who would enjoy Holes by Louis Sachar is likely a middle school student who appreciates adventurous, character-driven stories with a blend of humor and mystery. Fans of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling or Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan will delight in Sachar's intricate plot and memorable characters.

RecommendedReading Age

9-14years

Lexile Level

660L

Book Details

Genre

Action / Adventure

Realistic Fiction

Children's Literature

Themes

Values/Ideas: Fate

Relationships: Friendship

Life/Time: The Past

Topics

Education