Hole by Louis Sachar

Holes by Louis Sachar is a wonderfully written book with something happening on every page that leads the reader closer and closer to the exciting conclusion where every storyline finally comes together to help out Stanley and his friend, Hector.

Sachar skillfully twines all of the seemingly unconnected stories of the notorious outlaw, Kissin' Kate Barlow, Elya Yelnats, (Stanley's ancestor) and Stanley's great grandfather, the first Stanley Yelnats. (The protagonist of the story is Stanley Yelnats, the fourth.) Through all of it, the reader is taken on Stanley's journey where he learns courage, loyalty to a brave friend, and self-discovery. It is a delightful book for young and old. There is also a very fun, family-friendly movie of Holes based on the book.