Chapter 16 · Holes

Copywork

Stanley headed on to dinner. He would have felt pretty silly reciting nursery rhymes at Camp Green Lake.

Read the passage aloud. Why might the author give us a short sentence first and a longer one second?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens in the chapter, in order: the Wreck Room, the long day at the holes, the letter from home, and Zero's question at the end.

Zigzag says “keep it down” because he is trying to watch TV, but the screen is busted. Why might he say that? Inference
Mr. Pendanski points out that the envelope “doesn’t say Caveman anywhere.” What do you think he is trying to do? Character
Stanley can't think of a way to tell the Warden where the tube was really found without getting into trouble. Should he tell her anyway? Moral reasoning
Stanley's mother jokes about the little old lady who lived in a shoe. What do you hear in her voice in the letter? Tone
The chapter ends with Stanley deciding not to recite a nursery rhyme at Camp Green Lake. Why might the author end there? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you were a little different at home than you were with friends. What changed?

Vocabulary

reciting: silly reciting nursery rhymes at Camp Green Lake Saying aloud from memory.
silly: He would have felt pretty silly Foolish in a way that makes you feel embarrassed.
uncertainly: Stanley glanced uncertainly at Zigzag Not sure what to think or do.
intently: staring very intently at the busted television screen With full, steady attention.
excess: He carted away the excess dirt More than is needed; extra.
presumably: presumably so they couldn’t be used as weapons As one would guess, though it is not certain.
patience: the Warden was beginning to lose her patience Calm waiting without getting angry.
sprawled: Later, as Stanley sat sprawled across an understuffed chair Spread out loosely, in a careless way.
amazed: Stanley was amazed. Very surprised.

Critical thinking

Using two pieces of evidence, explain why everyone works faster after the Warden speaks to Mr. Sir.
Stanley guesses the tube was the lid of a fancy gold pen and K B were an author's initials. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how well that guess fits.
X-Ray says Stanley's letter is probably from a girlfriend, and Stanley smiles. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Stanley gets by letting that stand.