If you’re looking for Holes teaching ideas, Louis Sachar’s award‑winning novel is one of the most engaging and cleverly structured books you can use with upper elementary and middle school students. Its blend of mystery, humor, history, and adventure keeps readers hooked from the first line. This post includes printable character trait booklets, recipes, and more to support your novel study.
⭐ About the Book
Holes tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy who is sent to Camp Green Lake after being falsely accused of stealing a pair of sneakers. When Stanley arrives, he quickly learns that Camp Green Lake is not a camp at all — it’s a dried‑up lakebed where boys are forced to dig one hole every day. The Warden claims the digging builds character, but Stanley soon realizes she is searching for something buried long ago.
As Stanley digs, he reflects on his family’s history and the “Yelnats curse,” which supposedly began when his “no‑good‑dirty‑rotten‑pig‑stealing great‑great‑grandfather” broke a promise to Madame Zeroni. Through flashbacks, readers learn about Kissin’ Kate Barlow, Sam the onion man, and the tragic events that shaped the land around Camp Green Lake. These historical threads weave together with Stanley’s present‑day story, forming a rich, interconnected narrative.
Stanley’s friendship with Zero becomes the heart of the novel. Together, the boys uncover long‑buried secrets, confront the Warden, and ultimately break the curse that has followed Stanley’s family for generations. Students love the humor, the mystery, and the satisfying way all three timelines come together. Holes is a masterfully crafted novel that rewards careful reading and sparks meaningful classroom discussion.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | August 20, 1998 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 660L • Scholastic Guided Reading Level V |
| Interest Level | Grades 6–8 |
| Major Awards | 1999 Newbery Medal |
| Length | 233 pages (approx. 71,065 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 4 hours and 44 minutes (at 250 words per minute) |
| Audiobook Length | 4 hours, 30 minutes |
| Genre | Adventure |
| Setting | Camp Green Lake (1800s and present day) • Nineteenth‑century Latvia |
| Point of View | Primarily third person (limited omniscient) with some omniscient and occasional second person |
| Themes | Fate • Choices • Justice • Transformation • Family • Man and the Natural World |
| Memorable Quote | “If only, if only,” the woodpecker sighs... “If only, If only.” |
| First Line | “There is no lake at Camp Green Lake.” |
Teaching Ideas for Holes
Book Unit Samples
This sample contains the following:
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapters 1-5
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-5
- Constructed Response Question for Chapters 1-5
Teaching Ideas for Holes #1 ~ Character Trait Booklets
Create each mini-book from a single piece of paper, folded to form a book. The finished books contain 6 pages where students can list the character traits of the main characters. This is a valuable tool for a book such as Holes with three-story plots taking place and many characters to remember. Just click on the button below to download the free printables for this activity. An answer key is included to make this activity a print-and-go project.
Get your free character trait booklets here.
Teaching Ideas for Holes #2 ~ Figurative Language
The soundtrack for the 2003 movie of Holes contains some incredible songs. Using quotes from the book as well as lyrics from the soundtrack makes Holes an ideal book for teaching figurative language. Here you will find four PowerPoints to help you:
Click on the links below the images to get the PowerPoint Presentation you wish to download.
NOTE: If you have difficulty playing the audio clips in the PowerPoint presentations, here is the link to a zipped file containing all four PowerPoint presentations along with the audio files.
Download the free Rhyming Patterns PowerPoint here.
Click here to get the free Similes and Metaphors PowerPoint.
Teaching Ideas for Holes #3 ~ Character Traits
Assign each student one character from Holes. The student is to write a character description from the first person point of view. Click here to read all character descriptions.
Teaching Idea #4 ~ Dig Activity
The bags were placed on the floor in a grid formation. Students read clues to determine which bag they must “dig” into. The bags held objects from the story such as plastic lizards, a mini treasure chest, a can of very old peaches, a golden lipstick tube, and a fish fossil. After collecting the objects, students discussed the significance of each.
Teaching Idea #5 ~ Onion Dip
Here is the recipe we used:
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese — cubed
- 3 large Vidalia Onions — steamed
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1/4 cup Whipping Cream
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese — grated
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
Combine cream cheese and cream in Crock-Pot.
Cover and heat until cheese is melted for 30 to 60 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients.
Cover and heat for 30 minutes.
Serve with raw vegetables, crackers, or bread pieces.
Teaching Idea #6 ~ Spiced Peaches
Students enjoyed making spiced peaches. We served them warm over vanilla ice cream. YUM!!
Teaching Idea #7 ~ Resources on the Web
See the product that inspired this post.
Holes Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
3 comments
Love your recipes!
Thx
The recipes are astonishing! Thank you so much for the written directions. Very easy and fast! Sound delicious! Keep it up, sir!
I am not a teacher, but I find these activities helpful. I’ll try them out with my little son! I’m sure he’ll enjoy making spiced peaches.