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這本書在描寫小男孩Stanley Yelnats因被法官誤判為偷了明星球員送給慈善機構的紀念鞋，因而被送到綠湖營地（Camp Green Lake）接受勞務處份，凡是被送到那裏的男孩每天都必須要挖一個洞，Stanley Yelnats 也不例外，但是不久之後，他發現原來是綠湖營地藏了某種寶藏，所以他們才會被要求每天要挖洞。後來Stanley Yelnats因為另一個男孩Zero 的緣故而逃離了營地，這二個男孩子在這個酷熱的沙漠裏，會發生什麼事呢？又為什麼最後Stanley Yelnats找到的箱子，上頭竟然寫著他的名字呢？這又是怎麼一回事呢？這是一本得獎的小說，適合13歲以上兒童閱讀。 From School Library Journal Grade 5-8-Stanley Yelnats IV has been wrongly accused of stealing a famous baseball player's valued sneakers and is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention home where the boys dig holes, five feet deep by five feet across, in the miserable Texas heat. It's just one more piece of bad luck that's befallen Stanley's family for generations as a result of the infamous curse of Madame Zeroni. Overweight Stanley, his hands bloodied from digging, figures that at the end of his sentence, he'll "...either be in great physical condition or else dead." Overcome by the useless work and his own feelings of futility, fellow inmate Zero runs away into the arid, desolate surroundings and Stanley, acting on impulse, embarks on a risky mission to save him. He unwittingly lays Madame Zeroni's curse to rest, finds buried treasure, survives yellow-spotted lizards, and gains wisdom and inner strength from the quirky turns of fate. In the almost mystical progress of their ascent of the rock edifice known as "Big Thumb," they discover their own invaluable worth and unwavering friendship. Each of the boys is painted as a distinct individual through Sachar's deftly chosen words. The author's ability to knit Stanley and Zero's compelling story in and out of a history of intriguing ancestors is captivating. Stanley's wit, integrity, faith, and wistful innocence will charm readers. A multitude of colorful characters coupled with the skillful braiding of ethnic folklore, American legend, and contemporary issues is a brilliant achievement. There is no question, kids will love Holes. Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. |