Chapter 12

Holes

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

He usually had such an angry expression on his face. Now he had such a huge smile it almost seemed too big for his face, like the smile on a jack-o’-lantern.

Read the passage aloud. What picture does the comparison to a jack-o’-lantern put in your mind?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens in the circle, in order: Magnet's turn, what Mr. Pendanski says to Stanley, and what happens when he turns to Zero.

1. X-Ray laughs at the idea of Magnet training monkeys. Is X-Ray being cruel, honest, or both?Moral reasoning

2. Magnet answers “I don’t know” twice before he says he likes animals. What might make a boy answer that way?Inference

3. Mr. Pendanski tells Zero, “You’re not completely worthless.” How might Zero hear those words?Tone

4. Why might the author let Zero smile just before Mr. Pendanski speaks to him?Author's choice

5. Mr. Pendanski says it is up to each boy to fix his own life. Where does that sound true, and where might it be too simple?Theme

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone asked what you want to be or do. How did it feel to answer?

Vocabulary

Crossword

1		2
					3	4

						5
	6

			7	8





9

Across

Across 1. The look on a person's face.
Across 3. Feeling strong dislike or rage.
Across 5. To succeed in doing something.
Across 6. Things you want and plan to reach.
Across 7. Made loud, wild sounds.
Across 9. Right or suitable for the time and place.

Down

Down 2. Having to answer for what you do.
Down 4. Stared in an angry way.
Down 8. Having no value or use.

The words in the chapter

expression He usually had such an angry expression on his face.
angry He usually had such an angry expression on his face.
responsible You’re responsible for yourself.
goals It’s important to have goals.
accomplish You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it.

appropriate this didn’t seem the appropriate place to mention that
worthless You’re not completely worthless.
howled The other boys howled with laughter.
glared As he glared at Mr. Pendanski, his dark eyes seemed to expand.

Critical thinking

1. Stanley decides the circle is not the place to mention wanting to work for the F.B.I. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what makes the circle a hard place to share a dream.

2. Magnet picks Stanley's idea of animal trainer over the others. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why that idea might appeal to him.

3. Mr. Pendanski singles out Stanley: “So you’re Caveman, now, huh?” Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Mr. Pendanski seems to want to do.