BASIC DOCUMENTATION
Book Title: Holes
Author(s): Louis Sacher
Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: (cover) Vladimir Radunsky
Publisher: Yearling
Copyright Date: 1998
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Brief Annotation: Stanley Yelnats’ family has been cursed by his ‘no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great great-grandfather. As part of his punishment, Stanley is accused of stealing and chooses to attend a ‘camp’ instead of jail. Unfortunately for Stanley, once he arrives he realizes the camp isn’t like any camp he has heard about. Camp Greenly is in the middle of the desert where each ‘camper’ is to dig a hole 5 feet around by 5 feet deep each day. The only reprieve is if they find something of interest in the dig that is of interest to the warden. During his stay-we learn about ‘the family curse’; why the ‘campers’ are actually digging and the dedication of true friendship and how good always wins.
Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4
The idea behind the book was original and it explained a lot in short chapters which were nice but it was a long book without much action. The readers were to become motivated by only the personality or history of the main character which may be a lot for many students to remain dedicated to.
Readers who will like this book:
Readers looking for a happy ending at the end of a bad situation; Readers in situations of being bullied or feeling excluded from situations; Readers that like connections between past and present
Teaching Strategy from Yopp & Yopp :
Literature Maps pp. 62-66
Literature Maps are categories selected for students to respond to literature while reading. The categories can be student or teacher created. Students create comments or questions to the headings or they may write words or phrases that they enjoyed or didn’t understand. After reading, students come together in one large or several small groups to discuss their comments and questions and compare their understanding and ideas from the text that was read.
I like this idea for Holes because the book can introduce many personal feelings and is a good way to address feeling related to bullying or feeling as an ‘outsider’. The opportunity for many categories opens the book and activity to the diverse learners reading the book.
Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:
Joke/puzzle: How much dirt is in a hole 5 feet wide by 5 feet deep?
Have you ever been to camp? What are some things they do?
What are some reasons people use to explain the bad luck or an excess amount of negative things that happen to their family?
Optional, but noted as extra effort:
1. Interest Level (age): 11-13
2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.2
3. List awards 1999 Newbery Medal
1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
A Christopher Award for Juvenile Fiction
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year
A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Book
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Notable Children's Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Horn Book Fanfare Title
A Riverbank Review 1999 Children's Book of Distinction
A New York Public Library Children's Book of 1998-100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
A Texas Lone Star Award Nominee
A NECBA Fall List Title
4. Does this book have a book trailer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekC4JJrGjmE&feature=related
I guess another piece of information to add to the documentation list would be "Are there any movies based on this book?" I know that Holes does have a "page to screen" honor. Have you seen it? I haven't, but I've heard Sigourney Weaver is excellent as the lady with the red fingernails!
ReplyDeleteDid you know that the author, Louis Sacher, has written many other books, including a series called The Sideways School which is full of fun math problems as part of the story.
I'm curious about the prompts you would provide on the Literature Map for this book. I was thinking it would be fun to actually map all the places Stanley (and his predecessors) go in this book. If you want to follow up, I'd be curious to hear about your ideas. This book seems like it might be a perfect choice for a book kit. What do you think?
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ReplyDeleteMy oldest son said he saw the movie but didn't like it but he didn't like the book either. When I asked him what it was about he replied, " they dig holes and that is all they do".
ReplyDeleteMy youngest son seemed to enjoy it more but we discussed it and read together.
I'm not sure if I want to see the movie. I'm not a movie kind of person.