Did your opinion of the book change as you read it?
At first, I didn’t find Holes very interesting because the story seemed slow and I wasn’t sure what it was really about. But as I kept reading, my opinion changed a lot. The book became more exciting when new events started to happen, and I began to understand how everything was connected — the camp, Stanley’s family history, and the story about Kissin’ Kate Barlow. I really liked how Louis Sachar slowly revealed the truth piece by piece, almost like solving a mystery.
As the connections between the past and the present became clearer, I started to appreciate how cleverly the story was written. I also enjoyed seeing how Stanley changed as a person — from being unlucky and unsure of himself to becoming brave and confident. The book turned out to be much deeper than I first expected, with themes like friendship, destiny, and justice. In the end, I realized that Holes wasn’t just an adventure story, but also about how people’s actions and choices can affect generations.
What was the most memorable scene or moment for you?
The most memorable moment for me was when Stanley carried Zero up the mountain. That scene really stood out because it showed how much their friendship had developed throughout the story. In the beginning, Stanley and Zero barely knew each other, but by that moment, their bond had become so strong that Stanley was willing to risk his own life to save his friend. It revealed a new side of Stanley — his kindness, bravery, and loyalty — and showed how much he had grown as a person since he first arrived at Camp Green Lake.
This scene was also very powerful on a symbolic level. When Stanley carried Zero up the mountain, it wasn’t just an act of friendship; it represented the breaking of the Yelnats family curse. By helping Zero, Stanley unknowingly repeated the good deed that his great-great-grandfather had failed to do. That connection between past and present made the story feel deeper and more meaningful. It showed how one small act of kindness could heal old wrongs and change the future.
What was the main conflict, and how was it resolved?
I think that the main conflict in Holes was that Stanley was unfairly sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn’t commit. This created both an external and an internal conflict for him. Externally, he had to face the harsh conditions at the camp, where the boys were forced to dig holes every day under the hot sun without knowing the real reason why. Internally, Stanley struggled with feelings of injustice, bad luck, and self-doubt.
As the story went on, Stanley began to uncover the truth behind the camp. He discovered that the Warden was not making the boys dig for character-building, as she claimed, but to search for a hidden treasure buried long ago by Kissin’ Kate Barlow. This revelation connected all the different storylines — the history of the Yelnats family, the curse, and the mystery of the treasure — into one big moment of truth.
The conflict was finally resolved when Stanley and Zero found the treasure themselves and proved Stanley’s innocence. Their friendship and courage helped them overcome the unfair system that had trapped them. In the end, both boys were free, and their lives changed for the better. The resolution showed that justice, friendship, and kindness can break even the strongest curse.
Which character did you like the most, or who did you dislike the most? (explain why).
The characters I liked the most were Stanley and Zero, but to be a little bit more unique from the others I’m gonna stick with Zero. In the beginning, he seemed quiet and shy, but later I realized how strong and intelligent he really was. He had a difficult life, yet he stayed loyal to especially Stanley and never gave up, even when things got hard-for example when he got sick from the sploosh he kept fighting, to get up to the mountain. I also think it was really sweet that he wanted to learn how to write and read, and because of that his future changed.
But the character I disliked the most was the Warden, because she was selfish and cruel. She only cared about finding the treasure and treated the boys at the camp very unfairly.
What themes or messages did you find in the reading of this novel?
One of the strongest and most important themes in Holes is friendship, especially the bond between Stanley Yelnats and Zero (Hector Zeroni). At first, they seem very different – Stanley is overweight, insecure, and often bullied, while Zero is quiet, poor, and cannot read or write. At Camp Green Lake, Zero is treated badly by the other boys and by the camp leaders, but Stanley shows him kindness and respect. This is what starts their friendship.
As the story goes on, their relationship grows when Stanley begins to teach Zero how to read and write. Through this, Stanley shows that he sees Zero as an equal and as someone who deserves a chance. In return, Zero helps Stanley by digging holes for him when he is too tired, which shows that their friendship is based on mutual support and trust.
Later, when they escape into the desert, their friendship becomes even more important. They survive only because they help and believe in each other. Their bond gives them both strength, hope, and the courage to keep going.
Their friendship also stands in contrast to the cruelty and unfairness of the world around them. While the adults at the camp are selfish and corrupt, Stanley and Zero’s relationship is built on kindness, loyalty, and compassion. In the end, it’s their friendship that helps break the old family curse, showing that love and goodness can heal the past and create a better future.
Would you like me to make it sound a bit simpler (for example, suitable for middle school), or keep it like this — more formal and analytical?
