A complete list of the novels available
How to order-- It's Easy!
Created by Brian Thornton
Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO
Phone: 705 672-5737
Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher
All Rights Reserved
Answer all questions in sentence form.
Part One--You Are Entering Camp Green Lake
Chapters One & Two
Explain the irony in the name Camp Green Lake.
Why will campers sometimes permit themselves to be bitten by a rattlesnake or a scorpion?
What is the significance of the phrase, "The Warden owns the shade"?
Why does the narrator suggest that if someone is bitten by a yellow-spotted lizard they might as well lie in the hammock.
Why did Camp Green Lake always manage to find campers despite the appalling conditions?
What choices did the judge give Stanley?
Vocabulary: wasteland, shriveled, hammock, warden, recovering
Enrichment: Design a title page for your novel.
Write a short biography on the author and examine some of his other novels.
Chapters Three & Four
Why did Stanley have a box of stationery?
How do we know that Stanley was very unhappy at home?
How did Mrs. Bell inadvertently embarrass Stanley?
Briefly explain the curse of the one-legged Gypsy.
Why did Stanley's apartment smell of burning rubber and foot odor?
What did everyone in the family like about Stanley Yelnat's name?
Explain the abundance of sunflower seeds on the floor by the desk.
How did the guard wish to be addressed by Stanley?
Explain how the laundry was done.
What instructions did the guard give to Stanley concerning digging?
According to Mr. Sir why did none of the campers attempt to escape despite the fact that there were no fences or guard towers?
Vocabulary: stationery, obstacle, ratios, convicted, gypsy, curse, descendants, perseverance, neglected, barren, desolate, violation, premises
Enrichment: What is a palindrome? Try and find some palindromes on the internet. With a group of your classmates try and create some of your own. Some students may even wish to work on this project with their parents at home. Be careful! It can be addictive. See who can create the longest palindrome.
Chapters Five & Six
Why was Mr. Sir in such a bad mood?
According to Counselor Pendanski, what one rule should Stanley always remember?
Why was Stanley reluctant to tell Mr. Pendanski that he was innocent?
What nickname did the boys in Stanley's tent use for Mr. Pendanski?
Why was Stanley surprised that Theodore insisted on being called Armpit?
For what crime was Stanley sent to Camp Green Lake?
Briefly describe Stanley's version of the theft.
What did the judge think?
Vocabulary: spigot, scarcity, prospect, donated, torment, coincidence, mere, humiliating, auctioned, destiny, despicable, vacancies
Enrichment: Draw a cartoon strip representing some aspect of the story and then have some one evaluate your work.
Pretend you are the judge in Stanley's case. Write out a short sentencing report (maximum two paragraphs) explaining the reasons behind your judgement in the case. Some students may wish to conduct a mock trial.
Chapter Seven & Eight
How do we know that Stanley is not accustomed to hard physical work?
Why might X-Ray have preferred a shorter shovel?
How did Stanley's weight help him for once in his life?
Why did the digging get easier for Stanley as the hole got deeper?
Who was Elya Yelnats?
Describe Madame Zeroni.
What advice did Madame Zeroni offer Elya about Myra Menke?
Why did Madame Zeroni give Elya a piglet?
Explain Madame Zeroni's curse.
Why did Elya refuse to choose a number in order to win Myra's hand in marriage?
How might the counsellors have punished Stanley if he had refused to finish digging the hole?
What warning did Magnet give Stanley as he headed off to select a bathroom?
What did Elya remember as his ship was clearing the harbor?
What did Zero do after he had finished digging his hole?
How was Sarah Miller different from Myra Menke?
What does Stanley discover upon completing his first hole?
What would probably happen if you were ever close enough to see the yellow dots on a yellow-spotted lizard?
Vocabulary: dent, defective, Latvia, confessed, shallow, forlorn, sow, litter, runt, suckle, piglet, assured, descendants, doomed, eternity, deftly, raw, convince, compacted, preposterous, expelling, dawdle, gesture, expanse, staggered, foul, grimaced, footholds
Enrichment: How much is a stone in pounds? Which country still uses this form for measuring a person's weight? Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of measurement system.
The author begins to use a new structure in this chapter. What is this new structure and why might the author have decided to utilize it in his novel?
Chapter Nine & Ten
Explain why the sign on the rec room said wreck room.
Why in X-Ray's opinion was the second hole the hardest to dig?
Why is Stanley's letter home so comical?
Give proof that Stanley has learned from his previous day of digging.
Why did Stanley refer to the fossil as his miracle?
Vocabulary: sprawled, sofas, dude, radiated, scowled, intensity, vinyl, awesome, arced, bulge
Enrichment: Pretend that you are Stanley and keep a journal making an entry at the end of each chapter.
Chapter Eleven & Twelve
What did X-Ray ask Stanley to do the next time he found something interesting?
How did X-Ray get his nickname?
Why was Stanley surprised that X-Ray was the leader of the group?
Why was Stanley glad to be called Caveman?
What was Mr. Pendanski doing when Stanley finally dragged himself back to the compound?
What caused the smile to disappear from Zero's face?
Vocabulary: fossil, smug, compound, society, veterinarian, accomplish, appropriate, glared
Enrichment: Find out how pig latin works by searching the library or the internet. What would your name be in pig latin? Practise communicating with your friends in pig latin. Ask your parents and grandparents if they ever used pig latin to communicate with their friends.
Discuss in a group some things that adults have told you that you have felt offended by. Outline some of the rules you think adults should follow when talking to young people. Should there be a different set of rules when young people talk to adults?
Chapter Thirteen & Fourteen
Why was Stanley reluctant at first to retrieve the glistening object from the pile of dirt?
Describe the object that Stanley had found.
How did Stanley respond when ZigZag asked to examine the gold tube?
What advice did Stanley offer X-Ray about showing the tube to the Warden?
What occurs when the water truck arrives that indicates Stanley's status in the group of boys is improving?
Describe the Warden.
Why was Stanley surprised when the Warden addressed him as Caveman?
What instructions did the Warden give to Mr. Pendanski?
X-Ray had waited until the next day to reveal the discovery of the gold tube. Why is this time lag significant?
Vocabulary: glisten, sifted, metallic, precious, engraved, etched, entire, piercing, swish, authority
Enrichment: In a small group make a list of all the things that K.B. could possibly represent. Don't just use names.
Pretend you are Louis Sachar and that you have just completed writing Holes. Write a letter to a publisher describing the book and attempting to persuade them that it is worth their while to publish it.
Chapter Fifteen & Sixteen
Why was the Warden treating the campers so well?
Why was Stanley so sure he wouldn't find anything despite his careful search through the dirt dug up by Zero?
According to ZigZag how did the Warden know all their names?
Why did Stanley decide against digging at night?
Why did Zero not get the joke about the old lady who lived in a shoe?
Vocabulary: site, excavated, paranoid, couch, tended, presumably, reciting
Enrichment: Assume the role of the author, Louis Sachar, and allow your classmates to interview you. Make sure to do some research first and then have a practice interview session with one or two of your classmates. Some students may prefer to assume the role of one of the characters from the book such as Stanley, X-Ray, or Zero or even one of the counsellors.
Chapter Seventeen & Eighteen
What indications are there that the Warden is growing impatient?
Explain Stanley's sudden collapse.
Why was Stanley relieved when the boys returned to their regular spot to dig?
Why did Stanley not have to worry about Zero reading over his shoulder?
How do we know that more than just Stanley's hands had become callused during his stay at the camp?
Vocabulary: pitchfork, gash, throbbed, callused, penetrating, moisture, seal
Enrichment: Act out a short scene from the novel. It will help if you write up a short script first. Do you think this novel would make a good movie? Explain your answer. Try and record one or two scenes from the novel on video and show the finished product to the class.
Chapter Nineteen & Twenty
Why was Stanley having difficulty sleeping?
Describe the racial makeup of Stanley's work crew.
How did Magnet get his nickname?
Why did Stanley get blamed for stealing from Mr. Sir?
Predict the consequences for Stanley's misdeed.
What is the secret ingredient of the Warden's nail polish?
Explain the unusual turn of events in the Warden's cabin.
Vocabulary: allergies, exhaust, fumes, muttered, gaze, remote, latch, venom, toxic, hearth, recede, shrill, writhed, agony
Enrichment: In chapter 19 the author describes the racial makeup of the young boys. Why might he have waited so long to do this and what is the advantage of reading this story as opposed to watching it on television?
Chapter Twenty-One & Twenty-Two
What did the Warden mean when she said that unfortunately for Stanley, Mr. Sir would live?
Why would the snakes be dangerous without a rattle?
Why was Stanley surprised when he returned to his hole?
How was Stanley able to determine who had helped him?
Explain what Stanley meant by Zero having X-Ray vision.
What did Stanley offer to do for Zero?
What did Stanley discover as he attempted to teach Zero the alphabet?
What insight did Stanley suddenly have about the gold tube in the Warden's office?
Vocabulary: haze, coiled, crates, expand, defiance, jolt
Enrichment: Interview a primary teacher and discover their trade secrets as to how they teach the alphabet and the various sounds the letters make. Try to teach a pre-schooler a particular letter and its accompanying sound. Describe your research to your classmates.
Pretend you are the school librarian and give a book talk about Holes to your classmates. Remember your job would be to entice the students to read the book without revealing the ending.
Chapter Twenty-Three & Twenty-Four
Describe Green Lake as it was one hundred and ten years ago.
Who was Katherine Barlow?
Why was Charlie Walker called Trout Walker?
Explain why Katherine Barlow may have refused Trout's offer to take her for a ride on his new boat.
Why did Stanley keep his eyes down as Mr. Sir ladled oatmeal into his bowl?
How did Mr. Sir respond to the young boy's question about his swollen face?
How did Mr. Sir punish Stanley?
Vocabulary: emerald, blossoms, fungus, afflict, spewed, pace, grotesque, nozzle, splatter, absorbed
Enrichment: If you were a teacher what would you do to encourage learning in the classroom. List both the advantages and disadvantages of being a teacher.
Chapter Twenty-Five & Twenty-Six
According to Sam what could onions cure?
Explain why Doc Hawthorn didn't resent Sam.
Why did Doc Hawthorn's head often smell like onions in the morning?
Why wasn't Sam allowed to attend classes?
What did Hattie Parker mean when she said, "God will punish you"?
Why did the student not show up a school the next day?
Describe what happened to Sam.
Explain how Katherine Barlow acquired the reputation as "Kissin' Kate Barlow".
Vocabulary: cart, ointments, asthma, remedy, arthritis, concoctions, paste, quivering, mob, storming, drawl, hitching, outlaws
Enrichment: Discuss in a small group the question raised in this chapter, "Whom did God punish". Give your opinion and then defend it.
With a group of your classmates construct a mural that depicts the story Holes and various themes found within the novel.
Chapter Twenty-Seven & Twenty-Eight
Explain what X-Ray meant when he told Armpit, "It's the same old story".
Explain why Stanley emptied his canteen onto the ground despite being extremely thirsty.
What is Zero's real name and why is it significant?
Who returned to Green Lake after a twenty year absence?
What had happened to Trout Walker during this twenty year period?
Why were Linda and Trout terrorizing Katherine Barlow?
Explain how Kate died.
Vocabulary: canteen, sparingly, mocked, jagged, tattoo, vile, blurry, loot, blotchy, scraggly, desperate, livestock, drought, vast, jab, droplets
Enrichment: Pretend that you have been asked to introduce the author, Mr. Louis Sachar, at a literary banquet. Do some research on the author before writing the introduction. Make a short oral presentation to your classmates.
Part Two--The Last Hole
Chapter Twenty-Nine & Thirty
What did Stanley believe he had seen for a split second during a flash of lightning?
What had Stanley's great grandfather allegedly said after being robbed by Kate Barlow?
Why did Mr. Pendanski fire his pistol into the air?
How did the Warden react when she discovered that Zero was digging Stanley's holes?
How did Zero react when when Mr. Pendanski handed Zero the shovel and told him it was all he would ever be good for?
Explain what the Warden meant when she said it was almost time to paint her nails again.
Vocabulary: drenched, ark, frizzy, stranded, delirious, cot, aloud, adjusted, harsh, depriving, impressive, gagging, holstered, unconscious
Enrichment: Explain how the author forces the reader to reassess their opinion of Mr. Pendanski. Describe why and how your opinion of Mr. Pendanski has changed since the beginning of the novel.
Chapter Thirty-One & Thirty-Two
Where did Stanley think that Zero might have taken refuge?
Why does the Warden repeatedly ask Mr. Pendanski if Zero (Hector Zeroni) had any family or social worker who might have taken an interest in him?
Why was the new boy given the nickname Twitch?
What was the new boy's claim to fame?
Why did Stanley steal Mr. Sir's truck?
Explain what happened when Stanley stole the truck?
Vocabulary: refuge, slits, ward, hot-wire, twitch, shaft, pinkie, dangling, ignition, revved, lurched, accelerated, lopsided
Enrichment: Car theft has become a serious problem in the major cities. Create an advertisement for a new car theft alarm device that you are planning to introduce to the market. Remember to use illustrations to market this device.
Chapter Thirty-Three & Thirty-Four
Why did Stanley think that he might have to return to the camp?
Why did Stanley's heart stop when he peered into the bottom of one of the holes?
What did Stanley have for lunch?
Explain why the pool of water kept moving away from Stanley.
Describe what Stanley found while walking across the dry and barren wasteland.
Vocabulary: cluster, systematic, frustration, random, lottery, mounds, encounter, burlap, mirage, shimmering, grimly
Enrichment: Prepare a book talk on "Holes" and then make an oral presentation to your class or another grade. See if you can persuade any other students in your school to read the book.
Chapter Thirty-Five & Thirty-Six
Who was under the boat?
Explain what you think the sploosh might be.
What evidence is there that Barf Bag may have purposely stepped on a rattlesnake?
Why did the boys make frequent stops as they walked across the lake?
According to Zero how did the boat probably get its name?
What did the boys see when they finally reached the western edge of the lake?
Vocabulary: drooping, raspy, sheepishly, forearm, ventilation, bacteria, mushy, nectar, tangy, parched, resist, clutched, snapshot, crisscrossing, rut, frail, trembled, interwoven, protruding, slab, defy, fiery
Enrichment: Look on the internet for a book review of the novel "Holes". Next write a book review for your school library or even your community library based on Louis Sachar's book. Ask the librarian if you can post it on the library bulletin board.
Chapter Thirty-Seven & Thirty-Eight
Why was Stanley reluctant to stop and rest?
What conclusion did Stanley make after seeing all the weeds and bugs?
How does Zero make it up the final portion of the climb to the top?
What two important discoveries does Stanley make after tumbling into the gully?
Vocabulary: altitude, increments, gnats, hovered, swat, swarm, tangled, upright, precipice, despair, gully, soggy
Enrichment: The active reader often derives more pleasure from reading than the passive reader. One of the essential elements of the active reader is predicting. Form a small group and write out some predictions as to what you think is going to happen in the story in the next few chapters. (no peeking allowed)
Chapter Thirty-Nine & Forty
Why did the insides of Stanley's mouth and throat feel like they were coated with sand?
What does Zero say that causes Stanley to believe that his friend is delirious?
Explain why Mrs. Tennyson was wearing only a nightgown and a robe as she ran down the street after Sam.
Why did Hattie Parker blush when Gladys Tennyson mentioned that her daughter, Becca, had almost died from eating some bad meat?
What surprised Stanley when he headed down the mountain looking for the shovel?
Vocabulary: streak, tan, lapped, comprehend, gratefully, meadow, proper, mule, leeches, tonic, snickered, flushed, contritely, charity, feebly, indentation
Enrichment: Conduct a debate as to the function or purpose of boot camps. For example, should they be used to punish boys like Stanley and Zero or should they be used to train them to adapt to society once they are released? How would you hope to be treated if you were forced to spend time in a boot camp?
Chapter Forty-One & Forty-Two
Why was Stanley so surprised that he hadn't gotten sick despite the drinking the sploosh and dirty water or from living on onions?
Why did Zero avoid the homeless shelters?
Why did Zero steal when he was young?
What did Zero do with Clyde Livingston's shoes when everyone started making a fuss about them being stolen?
Why did Zero fill the bottom of the hole with rocks?
Explain the bitter smell that Stanley had first detected upon reaching the top of the hill.
Explain how the sneakers had managed to fall on Stanley's head at the beginning of the story (Chapter Six).
What was Stanley alluding to when he asked Zero if he wanted to dig one more hole?
Vocabulary: murky, contaminate, sundial, sprouting, fugitive, identity
Enrichment: Divide the class into small groups and then locate recipes that use peaches as a main ingredient including jam, preserves, and pie. Cook up some special concoctions at home and then bring them to school to share with the class.
Research and discuss the nutritious aspects of peaches. Make a list of everything that can be made from peaches.
Chapter Forty-Three & Forty-Four
Explain the significance of Zero mentioning that his mother had sung a lullaby similar to the one Stanley's mother had sung to him.
Outline what the two boys had planned.
Where did Zero get breakfast?
What did Stanley uncover in the hole?
Vocabulary: evicted, recapture, inexplicable, crammed, styrofoam, eased, clinked, diagram, summoned, adjacent, sliver, exhaled, ultra-sweet, swig, texture, collapsed, exposed, precarious, portion
Enrichment: Research a number of lullabies and then write one of your own. Sing your lullaby to a small group of your classmates. If you're feeling brave set it to music and sing it to the entire class.
Chapter Forty-Five & Forty-Six
Who was shining the bright light in Stanley's eyes?
How do we know that the Warden and Mr. Sir were not expecting the two boys?
What terrifying event begins to unfold almost immediately?
Explain the Warden's statement, "It won't be very long."
Why did Stanley start to think about his mother?
Why did the Warden ask the counsellors to relay the message that the "campers" would no longer have to dig any holes?
Vocabulary: bobbing, commotion, illuminated, suppress, midair, scurried, flinch, initiate, severely, rigid, strenuous
Enrichment: Research various snakes and lizards indigenous to the state of Texas and find out which species may be venomous enough to deliver a fatal bite.
Explain the difference between a protagonist and an antagonist. Which characters in this book would you classify as protagonists? Justify you opinion. Which characters are antagonists? Explain your choice(s).
Chapter Forty-Seven & Forty-Eight
What does Zero do to keep his mind off the lizards during the night?
What small but important piece of information do we glean about the Warden in this chapter?
Whose name was on the suitcase and how can it be used to describe Zero's behavior during the night?
What did Ms Morengo advise Stanley to do when the Warden ordered him to open the suitcase?
Do you think she gave him good advice? Explain your answer.
Why did Mr. Pendanski hesitate (stared at her) when the Warden ordered him to get Hector Zeroni's file?
Vocabulary: exaggerated, stark, tarantula, numb, Hispanic, tarnation, authorization, authenticated, custody, hallucinations, ranting, raving, red-handed, enforcement, detainees, hysterical, jurisdiction, souvenir, pursurant, misplaced, outraged, access, cyberspace, incarcerated
Make a list of all the nicknames in the novel including those of the boys and the adults.
Discuss in a small group why people use nicknames. Chose a nickname that you would like people to call you. Explain how you chose the nickname.
Explain how this story is both different from and similar to other stories you have read.
Why does the author relate the story of the rattlesnake hunters at the beginning of this chapter?
Ms Morengo advises Zero not to admit that he has stolen Clyde (Sweet Feet) Johnson's sneakers. Do you agree with her advice? Explain your answer.
Describe the new product that Stanley's father has just invented.
What happens at Green Lake for the first time in over a hundred years?
Vocabulary: bloodstream, BMW, patent, attorney, recycle
Enrichment: Ms. Morengo explained to Stanley that she was a patent attorney working for his father. Research what a patent attorney is and make a brief presentation to some of your classmates explaining their role.
Throughout the novel there is a parallel story about Stanley's grandfather. Explain how this helps or hinders the story.
Part Three--Filling in the Holes
Explain the curse and how it was resolved
What did they find in the suitcase that proved to be very valuable?
What was the new foot odor product called?
Describe the woman who is singing the lullaby to Hector (Zero) at the end of the story.
Vocabulary: cure, generations, dedicated, tedious, subtle, promissory, fixings, amid, tingle, ingredients, neutralizes, caviar, weathered, weary
Enrichment: There are many recurring themes in the novel. One of these themes is the curse place on Stanley's great-great-great grandfather. Describe how the author refers to this theme at various points in the novel.
Do you think the title of the book is appropriate? Explain why. Suggest another title that could have been used.
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Created by: Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA POJ 1KO
Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher All Rights Reserved