Holes

by Jonathan Litton, Louis Sachar
Holes cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Children's Fiction
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Format • £7.59
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Paperback • £7.99
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Technical
  • ID: 804
  • Added: 2025-09-20
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9780007114511
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2000-01-01
  • Formats: 9
  • Reviews: 4

Stanley Yelnats, believing his family is cursed, is sent to a harsh correctional camp in the Texas desert. There, he befriends someone for the first time and discovers a treasure that changes his life. /n/n The story is a blend of adventure, mystery, and personal growth, set against the backdrop of a desert camp where boys are sent to build character. Stanley's journey is one of self-discovery and breaking free from the shadows of his family's past.

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.

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.

vsviewfromthebookshelves.home.blog · Unknown · 2019-06-30
exciting 4.50

The reviewer found 'Holes' to be an absolutely gripping story full of courage, creativity, and escalating drama. They praised the brilliantly realised main protagonist, Prue, and the impressive STEM skills displayed by the inventors of Medlock.

The reviewer rushed through 'Holes' like a speeding pneumerator, finding it an absolutely gripping story full of courage, creativity, and escalating drama. The main protagonist, Prue, is a determined, intelligent girl with a talent for mechanics, whose character is brilliantly realised. The story is set in the industrious city of Medlock, where Prue poses as her brother to take up an apprenticeship and discovers groundbreaking technological advances. The reviewer loved the impressive STEM skills displayed by the inventors of Medlock and was particularly delighted to see females cast as leading the research and creativity. The discussion of free-will and the ethics of developing cyborg-like machines is a great way to introduce these concepts to upper-primary/lower secondary aged pupils. This story is highly recommended for fans of adventure and brilliantly imagined worlds.

Quick quotes

    an energy seems to sizzle through the pages, fizzing with possibilities and hidden dangers.

    I loved the impressive STEM skills displayed by the inventors of Medlock and was particularly delighted to see females cast as leading the research and creativity.

    This story is glorious on so many levels.

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