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Cover of Holes
Young Adult· United States

Holes

by Louis Sachar
Aggregate Editorial Score69/100
★Newbery Medal
Published 1999240 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of young adult have earned the sustained critical attention that Holes (1999) by Louis Sachar continues to receive. Stanley Yelnats, sent to a detention camp in the Texas desert where boys are forced to dig holes, discovers the connections between his family's curse, a nineteenth-century outlaw, and the camp's warden. Sachar's Newbery Medal winner is a brilliantly plotted mystery and adventure story. Themes of fate, justice, friendship run through the work. The book has received recognition from Newbery Medal 1999.

Book Details

AuthorLouis Sachar
Published1999
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages240
Category🌟 Young Adult
ISBN9780374332204
Editorial Score69/100
About the Category

🌟 Young Adult

Fiction and non-fiction written primarily for teenage readers.

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Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Louis Sachar published Holes in 1999, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of young adult from United States. The book's treatment of fate, justice, friendship, American history accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Newbery Medal 1999. With an editorial score of 69/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Holes lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of fate, justice, friendship, American history is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within United States's literary landscape, Louis Sachar occupies a significant position. Holes is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Newbery Medal
winner · national
199958
✍️
About the Author
Louis Sachar
United States
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Louis Sachar is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of young adult.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Holes about?

Stanley Yelnats, sent to a detention camp in the Texas desert where boys are forced to dig holes, discovers the connections between his family's curse, a nineteenth-century outlaw, and the camp's warden. Sachar's Newbery Medal winner is a brilliantly plotted mystery and adventure story.

Who wrote Holes?

Holes was written by Louis Sachar, from United States. First published in 1999.

What awards has Holes won?

Holes has received the following awards and honours: Newbery Medal 1999.

Is Holes worth reading?

Holes is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 58/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in fate, justice, friendship.

Where can I buy Holes?

You can buy Holes on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Holes?

Holes is classified as Young Adult. Fiction and non-fiction written primarily for teenage readers.

What country is Holes from?

Holes originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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