Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Title: Holes

Illustrator: None

Genre: Mystery/ Chapter Book

Subgenre: Adventure

Theme: A person is not defined by their family; they are defined by their own actions.

Primary Characters: Stanley Yelnats, Zero, Kate Barlow, Sam, Charles

Secondary Characters: X-ray, Squid, Magnet, Armpit, Zigzag, Stanley's parents and grandfather,
Mr. Sir, Mr. Pendanski, Warden

Award/Date: Newbery/1998

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Summary: The story follows the many misfortunes of Stanley Yelnats. After ending up at a "camp" for troubled boys for something he didn't do, he ends up getting caught up in a mystery that has been around since the time of Kate Barlow and Sam, two star-crossed lovers. This book is filled with mystery and suspense!

How used: I would use this book in class to teach my students about foreshadowing, symbolism, and critical thinking. This book constantly has you guessing what is going to happen next, which is why I would use it for critical thinking and foreshadowing. The book often gives hints, but sometimes you have to look for them. As for symbolism, the lipstick tube, for example, represents Kissing Kate Barlow.