Holes By Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats, the main character of Louis Sachar’s ‘Holes’ was fat, friendless and frightened at the beginning of the novel, but by the end he has changed dramatically. The plot of the novel revolves around Stanley being sent to Camp Green Lake, the setting of the story, for a crime that he didn’t commit. Here, Stanley learns the true value of friendship, kindness and the role of fate in his life. Stanley finds himself in some hairy situations, but with the help of his good mate Zero, he works out that no matter how tough life is, there’s always a way.

At the beginning of the novel, Stanley is hating his life. He has no friends, he gets bullied and he’s overweight. After being sent to Camp Green Lake, Stanley is put into a group full of boys who have all done the wrong thing. The first day or so, Stanley feels he doesn’t fit in. The other boys all have nicknames, and they’re bigger and tougher than Stanley, but after Stanley nearly gets in a fight with one of the toughest boys in Camp, his camp mates stick up for him and he gets crowned with the nickname ‘Caveman’, and according to the boys ‘You don’t want to mess with the Caveman.’ (Sachar, 1998, p44) This makes Stanley feel he has just made new friends, and he’s been accepted into the group.
Zero. He doesn’t talk much, but when he does he ONLY talks to Stanley. Stanley takes note, and decides to become friends with the quiet camper. After a few days, Zero is standing behind Stanley, reading a note his mother sent him. Stanley feels uncomfortable and asks Zero to stop reading over his shoulder, Zero then corrects Stanley, advising him he does not know how. Stanley then helps Zero to read and write, teaching him to write his own name. Zero then states that in return he will help Stanley dig his hole. Stanley is glad he is able to help, and Zero is happy to finally have someone to talk