CHARACTERS
This unlucky boy is sent to Camp Green Lake after being accused of stealing shoes.
Who is Stanley Yelnats?
Despite its name, this place has no lake at all.
What is Camp Green Lake?
This represents punishment and hard labor throughout the novel.
What are digging holes?
This schoolteacher fell in love with Sam, the onion seller.
Who is Katherine Barlow?
Stanley is innocent of this crime.
What is stealing Clyde Livingston’s shoes?
This tough camper is known as Zero.
Who is Hector Zeroni?
The campers dig these every day, five feet wide and five feet deep.
What are holes?
This theme shows how actions affect future generations.
What is fate (or destiny)?
The fruit Sam claimed could cure anything.
What are onions?
Zero runs away after hitting Mr. Pendanski.
Who is Hector Zeroni?
The strict, venom-loving boss of Camp Green Lake.
Who is the Warden?
These deadly creatures live in the dry lake bed.
What are yellow-spotted lizards?
Stanley and Zero survive by finding this in the desert.
What is water?
The town where Green Lake once existed.
What is Green Lake, Texas?
Stanley carries Zero up this mountain.
What is God’s Thumb?
Stanley’s great-great-grandfather who was cursed after breaking a promise.
Who is Elya Yelnats?
The item the Warden is secretly searching for in the holes.
What is treasure?
This idea explains why Stanley’s family has bad luck.
What is the family curse?
The reason Katherine Barlow became an outlaw.
What is Sam’s death?
The suitcase Stanley finds belongs to this outlaw.
Who is Kissin’ Kate Barlow?
The outlaw who robbed Stanley’s great-grandfather.
Who is Kissin’ Kate Barlow?
The punishment for campers who don’t dig properly.
What is digging extra holes (or time in the Warden’s cabin)?
The novel ultimately emphasizes this value between Stanley and Zero.
What is friendship (or loyalty)?
The song Elya Yelnats sang to forget Myra.
What is “If Only, If Only”?
The curse is broken when Stanley does this.
What is carrying Zero up the mountain?