Reader Response 3 Holes Chapters 31-50

Chapters 31-50               Reader Response 3              Book: Holes

Stanley thought about leaving to go find Zero because he was worried that he might die out there alone. He wondered that if Zero was still alive would he have gone to "God's Thumb"? Stanley returns to camp to see Mr.Pendanski with 2 black eyes and a broken nose with a bandage around it, he was accompanied by Mr.Sir and The Warden. They asked Stanley if he had any idea where Zero might had gone but Stanley had no clue. The Warden told Mr.Sir to get rid of all the files that they had on Zero since nobody would know if he was gone anyways. The next day a new kid replaced Zero. His name was Brian nicknamed Twitch because he would fidget and twitch all the time. He was sent to Camp Green Lake for stealing a car he claimed that he could break into a car, disconnect the alarm and hot wire it in less than a minute.


While Mr.Sir was giving out water to Stanley was thinking about Zero and thought that he could steal the water truck and drive it until he found Zero. Stanley went around to the other side of the truck and saw that the keys were still in it he was hesitant but he got in the car and pushed on the gas. He drove straight into a hole and climbed out of the vehicle. Mr.Sir was standing above him and Stanley knew he would be in big trouble so he ran with his empty canteen around his neck. Stanley made a deal with himself that he would walk half as far as he thought he could then walk back to Camp Green Lake. He thought if he told the Warden where he actually found the gold tube then she would forgive him. Stanley had walked for hours when he thought he saw a pool of water in the distance but he was just hallucinating and it was a mirage. While walking Stanley found a sunflower sack with only one sunflower in it, that was Stanleys lunch, he took the sack and continued on. He was going to walk to God's Thumb but it was too far away so instead he walked towards a lump that he saw in the distance. Stanley made it to the lump and it was a upside down boat with the words Mary Lou on the side. Stanley heard something inside and before his eyes it emerged from under the boat. Zero.


Zero looked weak and his face was all bone he told Stanley to come under the boat since the shade was cooler. Stanley followed him under the boat and Zero offered him "Sploosh" what looked like jars of murky water that Zero was eating. Stanley knew Zero was eating this to survive so he ate a little it tasted of peaches. Zero refused to go back to Camp Green Lake saying he would rather die, so Stanley told him they were going to God's Thumb. They put a broken jar and a few extra jars in Stanleys sack and Zero took his shovel and they were off. They made it to the base of God's Thumb and started climbing the mountain.


They got to the base of where the thumb in the mountain actually starts and it was becoming night. There were bugs everywhere. Zero fell to his knees he was so weak and he threw up but continued on. Later Zero couldnt go anymore and collapsed he wouldnt move or talk Stanley wasnt sure if he was going to die. Stanley carried Zero on his shoulder leaving behind the shovel and sack. Stanley tripped and figured it was the end as he lay there in the mud but then Stanley realized you need water to make mud! Stanley dug a hole with his hands in the mud and dug deep enough to find some murky water he drank some and pour some over Zeros mouth. In the water Stanley felt something round he pulled it out to discover it was a onion he ate half and gave the rest to Zero. Zero told Stanley before falling asleep he was the one that stole Clyde Livingstons shoes and he left them on top of a parked car. Stanley thought he was just delirious.


For the next 2 days Stanley and Zero just slept, ate onions, and drank the water. Stanley dug the hole a bit bigger for fresher water but he knew he needed the shovel he just didnt want to leave Zero alone. Zero woke up and Stanley told him he was going to get the shovel and sack. Stanley was amazed at how far down it was because that meant he carried Zero that far up. Stanley later is told by Zero the full story on how and why he stole the shoes. Stanley figures that he cant live on this mountain forever and thinks about digging up whatever treasure is in the hole where he found the gold tube. He asks Zero if he wants to go dig it up and Zero says yes.


After a day of packing and resting the climb down the mountain and walk through the desert with the sack filled with a few bottles of water and onions as well as Stanleys filled canteen. While walking back to Camp Green Lake Zero tells Stanley about his mother and how one day she just left and didnt come back. Stanley and Zero arrive near Camp Green Lake and wait in a hole hidden until everyone is done digging and its night time. Once everyone's inside they make their way to the hole were the gold tube was. Stanley dug and Zero went and stole water as well as food. Stanley finds something in the hole but it is over top of the dirt pile so if he dug it out the dirt would collapse and cover up everything. They dont have enough time to move the dirt so Stanley digs a hole below it and pushes the shovel in then wiggles to try and push it out. Stanley is successful but it causes a cave in. The treasure the found is actually a locked suitcase. A white light flashes down at Stanley and Zero and Standing before them is The Warden, Mr.Pendanski, and Mr.Sir who is pointing a gun at them. Before they can react they notice a Yellow Spotted Lizard on the suitcase and then they realize that there is a Yellow Spotted Lizard nest in the hole.



The Warden is talking to Mr.Sir and Mr.Pendanski telling them that Stanleys parents will be told that he tried to run away in the night and fell in this hole then was bit by a Yellow Spotted Lizard. Mr.Pendanski then informs her that they wont think thats the truth because Stanley was to be released yesterday why would he run? The night passed and Stanley and Zero were both still alive. A car approached camp and a women and a man get out of it both dressed in suits. They are looking for Stanley they find him and Zero in the hole and help them out. Zero turns over the Suitcase to see that it says STANLEY YELNATS on the back of it.


Everyone returns to camp and Stanleys lawyer tells him hes free to go. Stanley will not leave unless Zero can come. His lawyer asks for The Warden to get Zero's Paperwork. The other Campers notice Stanley and Zero are back and come to greet them. Squid gives Stanley his mom's phone number and asks that Stanley calls he to say that "Alan is Sorry" Stanley agrees to do that. The Warden comes back and tells Stanleys lawyer she cant find any paperwork and tells Zero that hes coming with them. Stanley and Zero were driven to Stanleys parents apartment by Stanleys lawyer. For the First time in 110 years a rain drop fell in Camp Green Lake.


Stanleys dad opens the suite case and inside is a few gems worth a about 20 thousand dollars and a bunch of papers that are taxes, ect. worth just shy of 1 million for both Zero and Stanley. Stanley spends his money on a new house for his family and Zero spends his on a private investigation to find his mom. Zero does find his mom. Stanleys dad found a cure for foot odor and named it "Sploosh", The Warden had to sell Camp Green Lake and the reason the Yellow Spotted Lizards didnt bite Stanley and Zero is because they hate Onions and thats all they ate for a week.


So that concludes Holes. All in all I thought Holes was a fantastic book with some Memorable characters and a Very unique story. I liked putting together the clues that they put in the book to string everything together but also leaving like the author says on the 3rd last page "Holes for you to fill in yourself".