Chapter 10 · Holes

Copywork

He thought he could see the shape of a fish, fossilized in it. He rubbed off some dirt, and the outline of the fish became clearer.

Read the passage aloud. Why might the author show the fish in two steps, a thought first and a clearer outline second?

Narration Tell back Stanley's second morning, from the first aches to the moment the boys pass his fossil around, in order.

Stanley thinks the second hole will “take a miracle,” and then finds a fish in a rock. What does the word miracle mean to him? Theme
Mr. Pendanski had said a good find might earn a day off. Did Stanley have the right to expect one? Moral reasoning
Mr. Pendanski says “Interesting,” then asks for Stanley's canteen. How does that “Interesting” sound to you? Tone
The boys always line up in the same order, and Stanley takes the back. What do you think the line tells us about the group? Inference
The chapter ends with the boys passing the fossil around and Armpit saying “look at the little fishy.” Why might the author stop there? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you showed someone something you were proud of. How did they respond, and how did you feel?

fossilized: He thought he could see the shape of a fish, fossilized in it. Turned to stone over a very long time.
outline: the outline of the fish became clearer The line around the edge of a shape.
miracle: He’d found his miracle. A wonderful event that seems beyond what could be expected.
awesome: tried not to think of the awesome task that lay ahead of him So big or hard that it fills you with fear.
barren: He looked at the barren land all around him. Bare, with nothing growing.
referred: everyone referred to this area as “the lake,” Spoke of by a certain name.
loosen: his sore muscles seemed to loosen up a little bit To become less tight or stiff.
bulge: the rock still made a bulge A rounded lump that sticks out.
blistered: This hurt less than trying to hold the shaft with his blistered fingers. Covered with sore, raised bubbles of skin.

Stanley's second hole goes a little better than his first. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he has learned since yesterday.
When Stanley finds the fish, he looks at the land around him. Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether his view of the land changes.
Magnet takes the rock while Stanley keeps staring at Mr. Pendanski. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Stanley might be feeling.