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Holes

25th anniversary special edition
4.01 goodreads logo

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( 1,340,095 ratings, 29,622 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Holes by Louis Sachar is a captivating adventure about Stanley Yelnats, a boy who is sent to a juvenile detention camp. There, he and the other boys are forced to dig holes daily under bizarre instructions. As Stanley uncovers the history behind these mysterious tasks, he discovers connections to his family's past and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and friendship.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you enjoy engaging stories filled with mystery, adventure, and unexpected twists. It combines elements of humour and friendship with a unique plot that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Perfect for children and adults alike.

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‘This is a story of friendship with the cleverest of plot twists, and descriptions so vivid you can feel the heat of Stanley's desert prison burning off the page. A total must-read' The Times

‘Totally absorbing and beautifully written' The Bookseller

The multi-million bestseller Holes now in an exciting new package ahead of the publication of Sachar's newest 9-11 fiction title Fuzzy Mud (publishing August 2015)

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Holes by Louis Sachar is an exceptional tale of fate, family, and friendship, unfolding in the unforgiving desert climate of a juvenile detention centre, Camp Green Lake, which is neither green nor a lake. The protagonist, Stanley Yelnats, comes from a family plagued by a long-standing curse of bad luck believed to be passed down from his 'no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather'. When Stanley is wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn't commit, he is sent to this camp where boys are mysteriously required to dig holes every day as "character building" punishment. Each hole must be exactly five feet wide and five feet deep.

As the story progresses, Stanley befriends other boys including the quiet and enigmatic Zero. Together, they start to question the true purpose behind their gruelling task. The evil Warden, known for her venomous nail polish, hides a deeper, darker secret behind the relentless digging. Stanley realises that their digging isn’t about reforming his character at all. Instead, they are being used to uncover something hidden within the dry lakebed, directly linked to a family curse and a historical mystery spanning generations.

Splendidly crafted by Louis Sachar, Holes masterfully intertwines multiple storylines and time periods, leading to a final revelation that is both thrilling and satisfying. The novel is filled with memorable characters, intriguing plot twists, and a perfect blend of humour and poignant reality, making it a compelling read for both young adults and older readers.

This multi-million copy bestseller has captivated readers worldwide, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the prestigious Newbery Medal. With themes of justice, friendship, and perseverance, Holes remains a timeless piece of literature. This stunning new edition has been re-released ahead of the publication of Sachar's newest novel, Fuzzy Mud, promising to win the hearts of a new generation of readers.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Holes by Louis Sachar is an enchantingly different book from typical children's literature, appealing to both adults and children over eight. The story is witty, moving, and engaging, holding the reader's attention from start to finish. It's celebrated not for its fame or its film adaptation, but for its original and compelling narrative, considered one of the best books of the last decade.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781408865231

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 May 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 175g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Louis Sachar is the author of several popular novels for children - all published in the USA. He lives in Austin, Texas. This is the first of his books published in the UK.

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    The highly anticipated debut adult novel by Louis Sachar, the internationally bestselling author of children's fiction and author of classic novel, Holes. Is true love the greatest form of magic? Long ago, in a kingdom far away, the magician of tiger castle is on thin ice. Once the greatest in the land, Anatole's spells have dried up. He can't even...
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    A sequel to the international bestseller Holes, in which favourite character Armpit tries to turn his life around in a brilliantly plotted and masterfully told adventure story. Armpit is living in Austin, Texas. It is three years since he left the confines of Camp Green Lake Detention Centre, and Armpit is taking small steps to turn his life around. He...
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    Discover a charming and clever modern fairytale for adult readers, from the multi-million-copy international bestselling author of Holes...'A medieval fable for the modern age . . . I loved it' Alix E. Harrow'Clever, wistful and lovely in equal measure' Sarah Beth Durst*Is true love the greatest form of magic?Long ago, in a kingdom far away, the magician of tiger castle...
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  • Sideways Stories from Wayside School
    Bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Louis Sachar knows how to make readers laugh. And there are laughs galore in perennial favourite Sideways Stories from Wayside School, the first book in the series! Accidentally built sideways and standing thirty stories high (the builder said he was very sorry for the mistake), Wayside School has some of the wackiest classes in town,...
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  • Wayside School is Falling down
    Bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Louis Sachar knows how to make readers laugh. And there are laughs galore in perennial favourite Wayside School Is Falling Down! Yum! Miss Mush is dishing out her famous Mushroom Surprise in the Wayside School cafeteria. Ron says it tastes like hot dogs and grape jelly. Clean your plate, and you'll turn green in time...
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  • Sideways Stories From Wayside School
    Meet the delightfully eccentric and unusually gifted pupils of Wayside School in this instalment of the brilliantly quirky Wayside School series – from Louis Sachar, author of the bestselling novel HolesAs recommended on Radio 4 Kids Book Club, August 2024There has been a terrible mistake. Instead of having thirty classrooms side by side, Wayside School is thirty storeys high! (The...
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  • There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom
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    If you go down to the woods today... Well, every child knows NOT to, don’t they? Tamaya is on a scholarship to the prestigious Woodridge Academy, and every day she and seventh-grader Marshall walk to school together. They never go through the woods. When they arrive at school, they stop talking to each other because Marshall can’t be seen to...
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  • Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger
    When a substitute teacher is called to stand in for Mrs Jewls, it can mean only one thing – strange things are going to happen at Wayside School. Miss Mush has prepared a special lunch of baked liver in purple sauce and it is pet day on the thirtieth floor. There are dogs and cats and frogs and skunks and...
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  • Pig City
    What was Pig City? thought Laura. Soon it would be something that everyone wanted to be part of. Laura Sibbie is trying to find the perfect 'pigs' for her new club, Pig City: classmates who can keep the biggest secret ever! But to make sure that none of them tells anyone else about the club, each one must give an...
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