Holes

I know I’m late to the party when it comes to Holes by Louis Sachar. When I pulled the audiobook out of the library stacks, my girls both said, “Oh, that’s a great movie!”

I asked if they had read the book, but they hadn’t.

I haven’t seen the movie, so I can’t compare the two. But generally, the books are better. <grin>

Holes is about Stanley Yelnats, a kid who’s been bullied at school and flat out of luck. He ends up at Green Lake detention center – which is neither green nor a lake. He and the boys at Green Lake spend their days digging holes. Lots and lots of holes.

But Stanley soon figures out that the warden is looking for something. Buried treasure?

From the back of the book: “The story of the hidden treasure, along with the warden, Stanley’s friend Zero, and the curse on the Yelnats family are all part of a compelling puzzle that has taken generations to unravel.”

Compelling? Yes. Many times I sat in the driveway to finish listening to a chapter, having a difficult time tearing myself away.

Kerry Beyer reads the audiobook – and if possible, I’d recommend reading it. Beyer’s delivery isn’t the best – he tends to end his sentences the same way, which sounds a bit sing-songy.

Highly recommended for ages 9 and up.