“HOLES” By Louis Sachar

Main Characters Stanley Yelnats-called “Caveman” by the other boys/sent to “Camp Green Lake” because he supposedly stole a pair of sneakers/doesn’t have a lot of friends/ a little overweight The Warden-in charge of “Camp Green Lake”/not very nice Mr. Sir-works at “Camp Green Lake”/not very nice Mr. Pendanski-works at “Camp Green Lake”/can be nice at times The boys of Camp Green Lake – Zero-his real name is Hector Zeroni-becomes friends with Stanley/Stanley teaches him to read – Zigzag-his real name is Ricky – Armpit-his real name is Theodore – Magnet-his real name is Jose – X-Ray-his real name is Rex – Squid-his real name is Alan *Clyde “Sweet Feet” Livingston- donated the sneakers Stanley is accused of stealing

Main Characters Continued These characters we learn about in flashbacks Miss Katherine-a.k.a. “Kissing Kate Barlow” a schoolteacher turned bandit from 100 years ago Sam-sold onions and helped Miss Katherine Elya Yelnats- Stanley’s great-great grandfather who started the “curse” by stealing a pig Madame Zeroni-tried to help Elya but he stole her pig instead so she put a “curse” upon him and his family.

Setting Camp Green Lake-now There is no lake just a dry, flat and hot dessert Where Stanley is sent for his crime Lots of snakes, scorpions and yellow spotted lizards Green Lake-town over 100 years ago A small town with a schoolhouse There was a big lake Where Miss Katherine and Sam lived

Chapters 1-4 “Camp Green Lake” is described and you find out why Stanley is sent there. Stanley was convicted of stealing a pair of sneakers that were donated by a famous athlete. Stanley claims they fell from the sky. Stanley arrives at “Camp Green Lake” and given his clothes and gear. He is also given instructions to dig a hole every day.

Chapters 5-9 Stanley meets Mr. Pendanski and some other “campers” You learn more about Clyde “Sweet Feet Livingston” and the story behind Stanley “stealing” the sneakers Stanley starts digging his first hole. It is hard work and he is the last one to finish. You learn about Stanley’s great-great grandfather, Elya Yelnats, and Madame Zeroni You learn about the yellow-spotted lizards Armpit and X-Ray give Stanley a nickname, “Caveman”

Chapters Stanley finds a fossil in the dirt. Stanley and the other boys talk with Mr. Pendanski about what they want to do with their lives. Stanley found something in the dirt ( along tube with the initials KB on it) and gives it to X-Ray as promised. The Warden gives X-Ray the day off from digging since she thinks he found something “interesting”’

Chapters Stanley realizes that the boys are definitely digging holes to find something, something that the Warden wants. Stanley gets a letter from his mom and feels a little better. Stanley gets hit in the head by a shovel but continues to dig. Zero admits that he can’t read and asks Stanley to teach him. Magnet stole some of Mr. Sir’s sunflower seeds but Stanley takes the blame for it.

Chapters Stanley and Mr. Sir go to see the Warden about Stanley stealing Mr. Sir’s seeds. The Warden scratches Mr. Sir’s face and leaves marks from the rattlesnake venom. Stanley offers to teach Zero how to read. Zero says that he will help Stanley dig his hole in return. You learn more about Miss Katherine and the Green Lake from 110 years ago. You meet Trout Walker, another resident of Green Lake.

Chapters Mr. Sir doesn’t give Stanley any water because he is mad at him. You learn more about Green Lake, Sam “The Onion Man” and Miss Katherine. Miss Katherine and Sam kiss which angers the town people of Green Lake. Sam is killed and Miss Katherine’s schoolhouse is burned down by the townspeople. Miss Katherine becomes “Kissin’ Kate Barlow” an outlaw who steals money. Some of the boys get upset that Zero is digging Stanley’s hole.

Chapters Kissin’ Kate Barlow comes back to Green Lake and is attacked by Trout Walker and his wife because they want her treasure. Kate doesn’t tell them where it is, gets bitten by a yellow-spotted lizard and dies. Some of the boys fight with Stanley about Zero digging Stanley’s hole. Zero runs away from camp without any water or food. The Warden doesn’t send anyone to find Zero and tries to destroy all records with Zero’s name on it so it looks like he never existed.

Chapters A new kid is assigned to Stanley’s group to take the place of Zero. Stanley steals Mr. Sir’s truck because he wants to go find Zero. He crashed into a hole, gets out of the truck and decides to head for the mountains instead of going back to the camp. Stanley finds Zero who is very sick and thirsty. Stanley and Zero decide to try to get to the mountain. Stanley and Zero reach the mountain and start to climb it.

Chapters Stanley picks up Zero and carries him up the rest of the mountain. Stanley finds some water finally and some onions which they eat. Zero tells Stanley that he stole the shoes from the shelter (the reason why Stanley was sent to Camp Green Lake). There is a flashback to the town of Green Lake and Sam, “The Onion Man”. Zero and Stanley decide to go down the mountain, find a shovel and dig holes to try and find the “treasure”.

Chapters Zero tells Stanley about his life before coming to Camp Green Lake. They quietly sneak closer to the camp being very careful not to be seen. Stanley and Zero dig holes at night, trying to find the “treasure”. They find a suitcase in one of the holes. The Warden, Mr. Sir and Mr. Pendanski find the boys and try to take the suitcase. There are yellow-spotted lizards climbing all over Stanley and Zero. You find out that Stanley was cleared of his “crime” and was due to be released from Camp Green Lake.

Chapters A lawyer and the Texas Attorney General come to Camp Green Lake to tell Stanley he is free to go. The Warden tries to take the suitcase that Zero and Stanley found but Zero says that the suitcase belongs to Stanley because it has his name on it. Stanley did not want to leave Camp Green Lake without Zero because he thinks they will kill him. The lawyer takes Stanley and Zero away from Camp Green Lake. Stanley learns that his father had invented a product that helps smelly feet.

Chapter 50 Camp Green Lake was closed and the Warden had to sell the land. There were jewels and stock certificates in the suitcase. Zero and Stanley each received around $1,000,000. Stanley’s dad named his new product “Sploosh” and made a lot of money. Zero found his mother.