A boy named Stanley is imprisoned in a juvenile correctional facility, where the inmates are forced to dig a hole in the desert every day, apparently as a character-building punishment. Stanley, who is actually innocent of the theft he was convicted for, has to adapt and survive, until he finds clues that make him think there's a purpose behind making them dig the desert everyday. At the same time, we follow events in the life of the ancestors of some of the characters that help us understand what's going on.

The beginning is very grounded and makes you get easily into the story, and once the more far-fetched, fairy-tale-like elements start you easily accept them because you are already invested in the characters. The story ties all the narrative lines beautifully, making this one of the greatest YA stories for boys. This is one of those books that you can hand to a reluctant reader, confident that he'll enjoy it. ( )

1st read: Long ago
2nd read: December 2023 ( )

"Holes" by Louis Sachar is an exciting story about a boy named Stanley Yelnats who finds himself in a tough spot at a place called Camp Green Lake, where he and other boys have to dig holes in the desert. It's a tale filled with surprises and interesting characters, showing how Stanley faces challenges and learns important lessons about friendship and fairness. This book is great for students because it's easy to get into and has lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. Teachers can use it to talk about important stuff like how we treat others and what it means to do the right thing, while also helping students practice reading and thinking carefully about what they've read. ( )

What a fabulous book. An intricate story spanning decades. A likable protagonist who grows in a convincing way. Villains and danger and even buried treasure. What’s not to love? ( )

This novel truly holds up through time. I loved this book as a kid but haven’t read it for YEARS, and was pleasantly surprised to see it was just as good as I remember. The writing, characters, story- all excellent and highly re-readable. ( )