Stanley was convicted of stealing a pair of tennis shoes. Instead of going to jail, he was sent to Camp Green Lake for 18 months. Camp Green Lake is a Juvenile Correctional Facility. At Camp Green Lake, Stanley has to dig one five foot by five foot hole seven days a week in the sweltering heat. The Warden is looking for something, but Stanley doesn't know what. While digging, Stanley and the other boys try to avoid being bitten by rattlesnakes and yellow-spotted lizards. Stanley blames his cursed great-great grandfather for all of his troubles.
A boy at the camp nicknamed Zero tells Stanley he is illiterate. Zero offers to dig part of Stanley's hole if Stanley teaches him how to read and write. Stanley quickly realizes that Zero is smarter than anyone at the camp thinks he is. When Zero runs away from the camp, Stanley finds him. Together, they make some amazing discoveries.
Holes was written by Louis Sachar and published by Scholastic Inc. This fictitious book is available at a St. Paul Public Library and a Ramsey County Library. To receive St. Paul Books Examiner articles from Examiner.com, click "Subscribe."
