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{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=Holes
|author=Louis Sachar
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=240
|publisher=Collins Educational
|date=March 2001
|isbn=0007114516
|amazonukcover=<amazonuk>0007114516</amazonuk>|amazonusaznuk=0007114516|aznus=<amazonus>074754459X</amazonus>
}}
Is that what you think? I'm so not sure. The palindromic Stanley Yelnats, in any case, is not a bad boy. Victim of a miscarriage of justice, Stanley has been sent to Camp Green Lake. Stanley is from a poor family and he's never spent a summer at camp before. But, while thousands of other young Americans are having fun, Stanley is digging holes at a juvenile correction centre. Camp Green Lake isn't fun. Digging holes that are precisely five feet wide, five feet long and five feet deep isn't fun either. Up at 4.30am, the boys at Green Lake must each dig such a hole, out in the heat of the desert, before he can return to camp and rest. It's thirsty, exhausting work. And Stanley does wonder what good it does in rehabilitating Green Lake's young inmates. But he does his best. He does his best to fit in, too although it is difficult, and although no one believes in his innocence.
It's not just for children, though. Holes is that rare thing: a book which has found approval from critics, adults and children alike. I found it irresistible. So did my mother. So did my husband. And so did just about every reviewer out there. And if that weren't enough, it won the Newbery Medal. Its wonderfully abrupt prose made it easy enough for my son, aged eight but reading a couple of years ahead, to enjoy thoroughly. That same pointed style made it a breeze to read aloud to my younger son, aged six. He was able to appreciate the jokes and enjoy second-guessing the mystery. So it's suitable for the young ones. Yet the maturity of the sentiments and the poker-faced, humorous way of making serious points that Sachar has, made Holes an equally enjoyable read for my nieces, aged twelve and fourteen when I bought it for them. I think it would be perfect also for the older reluctant reader. Holes is one of those wonderful books which create a domino effect. When you read it, you like it so much that you buy it for someone else, and they like it so much they buy it for someone else. They like it so much they buy it for someone else, and so on.
The more cynical of adults may perhaps be left very slightly unfulfilled by the unashamed happy ending, but those of us who like to be touched will join with the children - who always like to see justice served - and not mind at all. It's a joyous two hundred and thirty -three pages, and you should read it.
If you like this book, you'll really love [[Fup by Jim Dodge]]. We also have a review of Sachar's [[The Cardturner by Louis Sachar|The Cardturner]].
{{toptentext|list=Top Ten Quirky Kids' Books}}
{{amazontext|amazon=0007114516}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=074754459X}}
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{{comment
|name=kidsteeth
|verb=said
|comment= Review is too long. personally I found this book boring. However my 12 year old - who read it as a set text at school - liked it enough to look for the sequel.
}}
{{comment
|name=gpcox
|verb=said
|comment= Review is too long and does not have the main points in. The book is great to read but a little boring in parts.
}}
{{comment
|name=pierre allsop
|verb=said
|comment= It is very gd we are reading it at school and watching the movie. I have seen the movie before and i really like the story.
}}
{{comment
|name=jamie_boy_26
|verb=said
|comment= a good reveiw
}}
{{comment
|name=Jack Dean
|verb=said
|comment= The book review is very long but the book and movie are very good.
}}
{{comment
|name=Edward Streamer
|verb=said
|comment= Personally i think that the book is not the best i have every read, but still it is ok. all my friends may like the book but i stand by that it has too many twists!!
}}
{{comment
|name=softballstarr09
|verb=said
|comment= This is the best book! everyone who says it is bad should read it again more closely.
}}
{{comment
|name=keerthika
|verb=said
