Characters & Setting
Where is Camp Green Lake located, and what is strange about it?
It’s in Texas, but there’s no lake — it’s dry and barren.
Why was Stanley sent to Camp Green Lake?
He was accused of stealing a famous baseball player’s shoes.
What is one theme of the book Holes?
Friendship, justice, or perseverance.
What does “stifling” mean?
Suffocating or very hot.
Who says “I can fix that”?
Sam.
Who is Stanley’s best friend at camp?
Zero (Hector Zeroni)
What are the boys told they are digging holes for?
To build character.
How does Stanley change by the end of the story?
He becomes braver, stronger, and more confident.
Define “perseverance.”
Steady persistence; not giving up.
What does “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather” mean?
Stanley blames his bad luck on his ancestor’s broken promise to Madame Zeroni.
What job does the Warden have?
She runs Camp Green Lake and makes the boys dig holes.
What is the Warden really looking for?
Hidden treasure left by Kissin’ Kate Barlow.
What does Stanley’s friendship with Zero teach us?
Real friendship means helping each other and not giving up.
What word means “extremely angry”?
Outraged.
What promise did Elya Yelnats break?
He didn’t carry Madame Zeroni up the mountain and sing to her.
Why is Camp Green Lake so hot and dry?
The lake dried up after Sam was killed 110 years ago.
Why does Zero run away from camp?
He gets tired of being mistreated and digging holes.
How do the flashbacks about Kate Barlow connect to Stanley’s story?
They explain why the Warden is searching for treasure and how the Yelnats curse began.
What word means “requiring a lot of work and energy”?
Strenuous.
How does this curse finally end?
Stanley carries Zero (Madame Zeroni’s descendant) up the mountain.
How does the setting of Camp Green Lake affect the story?
The harsh environment tests the boys’ strength and helps them grow (theme of perseverance).
What happens after Stanley finds Zero in the desert?
They climb Big Thumb, find water, and grow stronger together.
What does the story teach about luck or destiny?
People can make their own luck through choices and perseverance.
What word means “temporarily mentally unstable”?
Delirious.
If you could change one event in the story, what would it be and why? (Opinion)
Open-ended – students share reasoning.