Holes

by Jonathan Litton, Louis Sachar
Holes cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Young Adult (YA)
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Format • £7.59
Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99
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Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 804
  • Added: 2025-09-20
  • Updated: 2026-02-22
  • ISBN: 9780007114511
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2000-01-01
  • Formats: 12
  • Reviews: 4

Stanley Yelnats, believing his family is cursed, is sent to a harsh correctional camp in the Texas desert. There, he finds his first true friend, uncovers a hidden treasure, and begins to see himself in a new light. The story is a blend of adventure, mystery, and personal growth, set against the backdrop of a desert correctional facility./n/nThe novel is suggested for intermediate and secondary level readers, indicating its appeal to a wide range of ages. It combines elements of adventure and self-discovery, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy stories with a mix of excitement and personal transformation.

Reviews
The Cougar Star · 2026-01-05
good 4.30

The book is praised for its engaging story and clever writing, though some parts are a bit hard to follow due to time jumps.

The reviewer enjoyed the book overall, giving it a high rating despite some parts being a bit confusing due to time jumps. They appreciate the clever writing and the way the story comes together in the end. The reviewer thinks it's a great read for anyone who enjoys a good adventure with some mystery. The characters are well-developed, and the story is engaging, making it a worthwhile read.

Quick quotes

    Some parts were a little hard to follow because of the time jumps.

    It all made sense in the end.

    I think anyone who enjoys a good adventure will like this book.

abebooks.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-09-23
fascinating 4.50

The book is a fascinating exploration of holes, filled with surprising facts and stunning illustrations. It covers a wide range of topics, from natural holes to man-made ones, and even touches on philosophy. The only downside is the occasional difficulty in reading due to dark text on dark backgrounds.

This book is a treasure trove of information about holes, something most of us take for granted. The author's childhood obsession with digging holes has led to a wealth of knowledge presented in an engaging and visually appealing manner. The illustrations by Thomas Hegbrook are stunning and complement the text beautifully. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the natural world to man-made structures, and even delves into philosophy. It's a great resource for learning about the various types of holes, their locations, formation, and contents. However, the dark text on some pages can be hard to read, which might make it challenging for younger or less confident readers. It's best suited for shared reading between an adult and children aged 6 and up.

Quick quotes

    Until i picked up this book I had never even considered that a hole was more than just an empty space!

    I am simply incredulous at the amount of knowledge that I have learned on the subject of holes from this book.

    My only criticism is that occasionally the dark text is printed over a dark background colour, making it difficult to read.

Wonderfully Bookish · 2020-03-11
fun 4.20

The book is a fun and easy read that can be enjoyed by anyone, with a writing style that is both mature and accessible.

The reviewer found 'Holes' to be a fun and easy read that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age. They appreciate the book's writing style, which is both mature and accessible, making it a great read for both children and adults. The reviewer also highlights the book's themes of friendship, adventure, and mystery, which make it a compelling read. They believe that the book's clever plot and well-developed characters add depth to the story, making it a memorable read. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the book's dark humor and unique storytelling style.

Quick quotes

    Holes is a fun story that can be enjoyed by anyone; its writing feels fun and easy to understand, yet mature enough not to feel juvenile.

    The book's themes of friendship, adventure, and mystery make it a compelling read.

    The book's clever plot and well-developed characters add depth to the story, making it a memorable read.

A Journey of Words · Kristi Drillien · 2019-09-30
great 4.00

The book is described as fun and edgy, suitable for a wide age range including older readers.

The reviewer finds the book to be a fun and edgy read, suitable for kids aged 8-12 but also enjoyable for older readers. They appreciate the playful feel and the clever writing, making it a great choice for a wide audience. The story is engaging and the characters are well-developed, adding to the overall enjoyment. The reviewer believes it's a book that can be appreciated by many, regardless of age.

Quick quotes

    Overall, Holes is a fun, edgy book for kids approximately 8-12 years of age, but really can be appreciated by older people as well.

    The writing feels fun and easy to understand, yet mature enough not to feel juvenile.

    The story is engaging and the characters are well-developed.

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