This dark, funny, and clever story takes place at Camp Green Lake, a boys’ detention centre. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. And the boys spend all day digging holes to “build character.”
This book is about bad boys being punished in harsh conditions. It’s an edgy read at first, but for a good purpose. This look at crime, punishment and the dark side of humanity set the stage for a heroic, suspenseful, and fun journey with Stanley.
Stanley is an unlikely hero. Bullied his whole life and wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit, he feels cursed. He believes the curse has been handed down through his family line from one Stanley Yelnats to the next.
Stanley has survival instincts, quick wit, and a willingness to help others. He also isn’t afraid to investigate. He digs deep to find the truth of why the boys are digging holes in the first place.
Louis Sachar is an award-winning author who masterfully weaves together Stanley’s ancestry with his current location at Camp Green Lake creating a complex story through the generations. You won’t be disappointed by the unforgettable ending to this book.
Helps with: familial patterns, truth, redemption, standing up to adult authority, being different, understanding friendships, understanding disadvantaged populations, trauma, bullying, hope, adventures, facing adversity, male friendship, learning disabilities.
Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Scholastic Inc., 1998