Holes (NOVEL)

Title: Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Dell Laurel Leaf

 Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption. You'll have to read the book to find out the end, I am not going to spoil it for you.

This book was definitely cute, and will certainly put a smile on my face. I was expecting a more straightforward story than it actually was. So I was really pleased and surprised with the interweaving of Stanleys' story with the stories of his grandfather and a wild -west outlaw Kissing Kate, has managed to bring up some pretty serious subjects. I do like the fact the Kate was portrayed as an innocent teacher that just wanted to educate everyone. Then when her beloved was killed she didn't turn the other cheek, she got even. Since there are no pictures in this book you would think that I couldn't see any vivid pictures but as I am reading the book  However, I could definitely make a mind movie with the vivid descriptions of what was taking place. I could almost feel the heat of the sun as the author described it and feel the pain in the hands of Stanley digging his first hole. This is a truly amazing writer that put so much emotional connection into the descriptions, so that I truly felt that I was with Stanley through out the whole story.You'll have to read the book because it does have a surprise ending. Read the book and then watch the movie see if you can find any similarities or differences.