Holes by Louis Sachar: The Movie

CrimsonTide4 · #1 03-13-2003, 08:30 PM

Has anyone ever read this book? I know that I never did, but it is on its way to becoming a movie starring your favorite Stevens and mine: LOUIS BKA Shia LeBeouf. I saw the preview of the movie when I saw Bringing Down the House.

Amazon.com
"If you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole every day in the hot sun, it will turn him into a good boy." Such is the reigning philosophy at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility where there is no lake, and there are no happy campers. In place of what used to be "the largest lake in Texas" is now a dry, flat, sunburned wasteland, pocked with countless identical holes dug by boys improving their character. Stanley Yelnats, of palindromic name and ill-fated pedigree, has landed at Camp Green Lake because it seemed a better option than jail. No matter that his conviction was all a case of mistaken identity, the Yelnats family has become accustomed to a long history of bad luck, thanks to their "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather!" Despite his innocence, Stanley is quickly enmeshed in the Camp Green Lake routine: rising before dawn to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet in diameter; learning how to get along with the Lord of the Flies-styled pack of boys in Group D; and fearing the warden, who paints her fingernails with rattlesnake venom. But when Stanley realizes that the boys may not just be digging to build character--that in fact the warden is seeking something specific--the plot gets as thick as the irony.
It's a strange story, but strangely compelling and lovely too. Louis Sachar uses poker-faced understatement to create a bizarre but believable landscape--a place where Major Major Major Major of Catch-22 would feel right at home. But while there is humor and absurdity here, there is also a deep understanding of friendship and a searing compassion for society's underdogs. As Stanley unknowingly begins to fulfill his destiny--the dual plots coming together to reveal that fate has big plans in store--we can't help but cheer for the good guys, and all the Yelnats everywhere. (Ages 10 and older) --Brangien Davis --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Movie Trailer:
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id...railer&intl=us

SilverTurtle · #2 03-13-2003, 09:44 PM

I saw the preview too & wasn't all that intrigued. But the book sounds interesting. Anyone read it? Would you recommend it?

cash78mere · #3 03-13-2003, 10:03 PM

i've read it twice. it's at about a 4th grade level.

it's a book that you either hate or love...there's no in between. people, mainly educators, are very divided on it.

for me, i didn't like it. i thought it was good up until the end, which i didn't like. i definitely won't pay money to see the movie but i guess i'd watch it when it comes out on video.

AOIIalum · #4 03-13-2003, 10:59 PM

My two older sons have read and really enjoyed the book. It's been required reading in many 4th/5th grade classes around here. It's definitely a book that parents should be aware of, especially since it's such a departure from Sachar's "Sideways School" books. Much deeper and touches on a lot of serious things. We heard a lot of questions and "I can't believe..." comments while they read the book.

Definitely worth the read, especially these days.

Christin

CrimsonTide4 · #5 03-13-2003, 11:03 PM

hmmmmmmm the previews intrigued me and I ordered the book tonight from the library. Can't wait to READ it.

Will let you know what I thought. I never read it before.

carnation · #6 03-13-2003, 11:54 PM

We read that book in a class I took last summer. It was well written but extremely strange!

DWAlphaGam · #7 03-14-2003, 01:15 PM

My younger brother had to read the book for school a couple of years ago. I think it's the only book that he's actually enjoyed reading. I didn't get a chance to read it myself, though.

CutiePie2000 · #8 03-14-2003, 04:37 PM

I loved that book!

But then again, I come from "Latvian stock" like Stanley Yelnats' grandfather....LOL

ZTAMich · #9 03-14-2003, 04:51 PM

I read it last year and LOVED it. I had to read it for a class project, a book file, and out of the 10 kid level chapter books I read it was one of my favorites. I remember making a fun activity for the book too...

Jaggergirl · #10 03-18-2003, 01:52 PM

looks cute. I haven't read the book but the preview looks fun. I baby sit some kids who live nearby - maybe I'll take them to the movie some night. I think their mother would approve of that rather than Identity, which is the movie I most want to see right now.

Too scary for kids, I'm sure.

CrimsonTide4 · #11 03-22-2003, 11:27 PM

I just finished the book, 2 THUMBS UP!! I am sooooooo happy for Zero and Stanley.

Now I cannot wait to see the movie.

ShaedyKD · #12 03-23-2003, 03:26 AM

I just came back from the movies, where I saw the preview for this movie. I borrowed the book from my little brother this past winter break, after being assured that "it's a really good book!" It was such a great story that I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. I think I'll take my bro to see the movie. Everyone can use a little easy reading and a kid movie once in a while!

Schmeer · #13 04-14-2003, 04:37 PM

I really like the book and read it again when I saw the trailer. It looks fun for sure--check out this:

For anyone who has read the book that is just one of my favorite parts- I can just see Mr. Sir running after the water truck!! I am totally excited to get to see it actually played out.

CrimsonTide4 · #14 04-14-2003, 05:02 PM

The movie comes out this FRIDAY.

Schmeer · #15 04-14-2003, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
The movie comes out this FRIDAY.

I know. I can't wait. It will be really fun to see!!