Characters
Who stole the sunflower seeds from Mr. Sir and who took the blame?
Magnet, Stanley
Why was Stanley sent to Camp Green Lake?
He was falsely convicted of stealing shoes and chooses to go to a detention center for his punishment because it sounds like a summer camp.
Which boy does Stanley have the most conflict with, so much so, that this camper doesn't say goodbye to Stanley when Stanley leaves to go home?
X-Ray
How is the theme of determination shown by Stanley?
Answers vary. He works hard in the heat continuing to dig holes, searches for Zero when he leaves, carries Zero up the mountain and still goes back for the treasure.
What does Stanley find and lets X-Ray take credit for?
Gold lipstick tube with KB intials
Who did the Warden scratch and what did she scratch him with?
Mr. Sir, fingernails painted with rattlesnake venom
What takes place at Camp Green Lake that actually does end up to be character-building?
The boys have to dig holes
What does Mr. Sir do to punish Stanley after a trip to the warden's office?
Doesn't give him water
How is the theme of determination shown by Zero?
Answers vary. He can dig holes better than anyone, even though he's small. He keeps wanting to learn. He cuts his hands helping Stanley up the mountain. He remains open to a friendship with Stanley, even though he's been abandoned.
What does Kate Barlow make and give to Sam?
spiced peaches
Who made fun of Zero, which caused Zero to hit him with a shovel and run away?
Mr. Pendanski
Why does Elya go to visit Madame Zeroni?
He wants help getting Myra to marry him
What deal between Stanley and Zero creates conflict with the other campers?
Stanley teaches Zero to read and Zero helps him dig his holes.
What lesson can you learn about racism from the book? Explain how the book teaches the lesson.
Racism hurts (the death of Kate and Sam). Not all people are racist (Stanley and Zero are of different races and are close friends).
What is sold by Sam to the townspeople and eaten by Stanley and Zero on God's Thumb, AND who doesn't like them?
onions; yellow-spotted lizards
Answers vary. Big(pudgy), determined, good friend, bullied, wrongly accused
What did Stanley do to break his family's curse?
Stanley (who was Elya's relative) carried Zero (Madame Zeroni's relative) up the mountain.
Why does the town of Green Lake have a conflict with Kate Barlow and Sam?
It is against the law for Kate to kiss a black man and she does.
What lesson can you learn about justice (fairness)? Explain how the book teaches that lesson.
Justice is sometimes served and sometimes not. Stanley is proven innocent, but he still had to suffer. Zero is reunited with his mom, but he still had to suffer. A curse was put on the town, but Kate and Sam still had to die.
Which camper asks Stanley to call his mother for him when he gets out?
Squid
Describe Zero in 3 different ways.
Answers vary. Can't read, homeless, stole shoes, strong, bullied, good friend, quiet
How are Stanley's dad and Zero rewarded at the end of the book, other than having money?
Dad invents Sploosh to cure foot odor; Zero finds his mother
What is the conflict between Madame Zeroni and Elya?
He forgets his promise to carry her up the mountain.
How did Stanley's choices help lift his family's curse?
He didn't give up. Kept searching. Kept moving forward. Chose to be a good friend.
Describe the setting of Holes in at least 3 ways.
Dry and desolate, only two trees, rattlesnakes and yellow-spotted lizards, present day and flashbacks to 100 years ago, Camp Green Lake