Chapter 19

Holes

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

Stanley looked up at the approaching dust cloud, then back down at the spilled seeds. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Read the passage aloud. What do the two looks in the first sentence tell you about Stanley's moment?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens in the chapter, in order: Squid in the night, the sunflower seeds, the spill, Mr. Sir's questions, and the ride in the truck.

1. Stanley asks if Squid is okay, and Squid threatens to break his jaw. Why might Squid answer kindness that way?Character

2. The narrator says it is unclear whether the seeds spilled before they got to Stanley or after he dropped the bag. Why might the narrator admit that?Author's choice

3. Stanley later sees that he should have knocked a dirt pile into his hole, but at the time that was “unthinkable.” Why might a good idea be unthinkable in the moment?Inference

4. After Stanley says he ate the seeds alone, Armpit says “How come you didn’t share any with us?” What do you make of that?Tone

5. Stanley says that on the lake the boys “were all the same reddish brown color.” What do you think the author is getting at?Theme

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone took the blame for something that was not only their fault, or a time you did.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1			2
					3
		4

				5


	6

Across

Across 1. Coming nearer.
Across 4. Poured out by accident.
Across 5. Too strange or hard to imagine doing.
Across 6. Glad and grateful about something.

Down

Down 1. Woken up.
Down 2. To enjoy and be grateful for something.
Down 3. Dug up out of the ground.
Down 5. Not certain; not easy to tell.
Down 6. Following behind.

The words in the chapter

approaching Stanley looked up at the approaching dust cloud, then back down at the spilled seeds.
spilled then back down at the spilled seeds
awakened He was awakened one night by a strange noise.
thankful Stanley was thankful that there were no racial problems.
trailing the water truck and its trailing dust cloud

unclear It’s unclear whether the seeds spilled before they got to Stanley
unthinkable But the idea of putting dirt into his hole was unthinkable.
unearthed he unearthed a corner of the sack
appreciate he was able to appreciate the air blowing through the open window

Critical thinking

1. Mr. Sir will not take the sack and keeps asking questions. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he seems to be doing.

2. The seeds were taken, passed and spilled, and Stanley takes the blame. Using two pieces of evidence, explain who else might share the blame.

3. At the end Stanley feels good in the truck, which is a surprise given where he is going. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why.