Holes by Louis Sarchar

This is one of my favorite books in my older childhood years. I read it multiple times as a child, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again.

This novel is set in modern times and focuses on the current circumstances of Stanley Yelnats, a young man who is sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn't commit. Stanley's family is poor and believes themselves to be under the curse of Stanley's "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-grandfather." The curse has been extended through multiple generations because the great=grandfather, Elya Yelnats, did not keep his promise to Madame Zeroni. Stanley's father is an inventor who is trying to find a way to recycle used tennis shoes. Stanley's supposed crime was he stole a pair of tennis shoes from Clyde "Sweet Feet" Livingston, a famous baseball player who had donated the shoes to an auction. In fact, Stanley did not steal the shoes, but happened to be walking near the underpass when they fell down on him. Because Stanley's family was poor, they were unable to fight the charges and is forced to be placed at Camp Green Lake.

The novel centers on Stanley's life at Camp Green Lake, which is not a pleasant place. There is no water or vegetation for miles because the camp is in the middle of the desert. For punishment, each "camper" must dig a hole five feet high by five feet wide every day. The story of Stanley's life is interwoven with the past story of Camp Green Lake, a hundred and ten years before when it was a thriving town. The holes that the boys are forced to dig are not simply for punishment; they are dug for the warden, who is looking for treasure buried by Kissing Kate Barlow.

When problems arise Zero, a friend of Stanley, escapes from camp. Shortly after, Stanley too leaves the safety of Camp Green Lake. He eventually finds Zero, and together the two struggle to survive. Eventually, they sneak back down to the camp to dig a hole that Stanley believes holds the treasure the warden is seeking. Indeed, Stanley and Zero find the buried treasure, but not before they are caught by the warden and her henchman.

While Zero and Stanley have been gone from camp, a woman has come in search of Stanley. The woman uses her authority to release Zero as well, since Stanley won't go without him. The treasure that they have dug up has Stanley Yelnats' name on it, and it turns out that the treasure was his great-grandfather's fortune, stolen by Kissing Kate Barlow.

Fortune turns in the favor of the Yelnats. Stanley's dad has discovered a formula for eliminating foot odor and Clyde "Sweet Feet" is its principal endorser. Zero has admitted that he stole the shoes, only because he lived on his own and had to steal to get by.

The book is a great book to read and a fun one as well. I recommend it to all readers who love adventure and ironies. Plus, Louis Sarchar is a great author.