Review By: Francesca Miesner
Published: Scholastic, 1998
Series: Holes #1
Genre(s): Middle Grade Fiction, Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Audience: Grades 4–7
Content Warnings: Bullying, fatphobia, racism
Reviewer’s Note: “I remember reading this book as a child and I wanted to revisit it. I chose this book for the prompt ‘book you read that was published the year you were born.’”
Goodreads Link: Holes
Summary:
Stanley Yelnats has always believed his family is cursed, ever since his “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather.” When he is wrongly convicted of theft, he’s sent to Camp Green Lake—a dried-up desert camp where boys dig endless holes under the Texas sun. As Stanley befriends Zero, a quiet boy with hidden depths, he discovers that the camp’s warden has a secret motive for all the digging. Their friendship, determination, and courage uncover a truth that changes everything.
Review:
Louis Sachar’s Holes remains a timeless middle-grade classic that blends mystery, humor, and heart. The story’s layered structure and clever use of fate connect generations of characters in unexpected ways. Sachar’s writing style is witty and accessible, keeping readers engaged while exploring deeper themes of justice, friendship, and redemption. Though the cover may not immediately appeal to today’s readers, the story’s humor and emotional depth quickly win them over. This novel offers rich classroom connections, particularly when paired with its film adaptation for media comparison or discussions on destiny, fairness, and perseverance.
