Summary
‘Sholes is a Newberry Medal winning young adult novel by Louis Sachar that follows the story of a young boy named Stanley Yelnats as he is sent to a juvenile detention camp where the warden makes the boys dig holes every day in search for a mysterious treasure.
Book Genre
Fiction, Young Adult Literature, Mystery
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of the book is injustice and how it affects the lives of individuals, specifically young Stanley Yelnats, and how determination and perseverance can lead to unexpected outcomes.
Key Ideas
– Injustice can have a long-lasting impact on individuals and their families.
– The importance of friendship and working together to overcome challenges.
– The power of determination and perseverance in the face of adversity.
– Every action and decision has consequences, whether good or bad.
Main Parts of the Book and Short Summary
– Part One: Camp Green Lake – Stanley is wrongfully accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp. Here, he is assigned to dig holes every day as punishment.
– Part Two: The History of Green Lake – The story of Katherine Barlow, an outlaw turned schoolteacher, and her romance with Sam, a black onion seller, unfolds as Stanley reads her old diary in the evenings.
– Part Three: The Curse of Green Lake – The mystery of the treasure buried somewhere at Camp Green Lake is revealed, and Stanley and his friend Zero embark on a journey to find it.
– Part Four: Going Back Home – Stanley’s newfound strength and friendships help him overcome the challenges he faces at Camp Green Lake, and he goes back home with a newfound understanding of the events that led him there.
Key Takeaways
– Injustice and unfairness can impact individuals and their families in significant ways.
– Friendship and teamwork are crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
– Determination and perseverance can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
– Choices and actions, even seemingly small ones, can have lasting consequences.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Louis Sachar is an American author who has written over 25 books for children and young adults, including the Sideways Stories from Wayside School series. He has been recognized for his work with numerous awards, including the Newberry Medal for Holes. Sachar has also worked as a lawyer and is known for incorporating social issues into his writing.
Target Audience
The target audience for ‘Holes’ is primarily young adults, but the universal themes of injustice, friendship, and determination make it an appealing read for readers of all ages.
Publisher and First Publication Date
‘Holes’ was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux on August 20, 1998.