Chapter 27

Holes

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

Stanley was afraid to drink it. He hated to think what kind of vile substance Mr. Sir might have put in it.

Read the passage aloud. Which words in the second sentence show Stanley is guessing, not knowing?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens at the hole this afternoon, from the boys' mocking to the water truck to Zero writing his name.

1. Mr. Sir fills the canteen, takes it out of sight, and hands it back full. What do you think he did in the truck?Inference

2. The other boys say Stanley sits around while Zero digs his hole. Stanley says he is saving his strength to teach Zero. Whose side seems fairer to you?Moral reasoning

3. Stanley feels sad that “a hundred times zero was still nothing,” but Zero smiles at his own name. How do they see the same page differently?Theme

4. Why might the author end the chapter with Zero saying that his real name is Hector Zeroni?Author's choice

5. Stanley says, “Thank you, Mr. Sir,” as the canteen is handed back. Why might he thank a man who has poured his water onto the ground?Character

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone surprised you by being nice, and you were not sure whether to trust it.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1		2

3

	4		5
6

Across

Across 1. Disgusting; very unpleasant.
Across 2. Making a soft sound, like liquid moving.
Across 3. A kind of material or stuff.
Across 6. By good luck.

Down

Down 2. In small amounts, saving some.
Down 4. Made fun of in a cruel way.
Down 5. Responsibility for something that went wrong.

The words in the chapter

vile what kind of vile substance Mr. Sir might have put in it
substance what kind of vile substance Mr. Sir might have put in it
sparingly He had to drink sparingly
fortunately Fortunately, Mr. Pendanski delivered the water more often
mocked the other boys just mocked him

jagged It was a jagged purple line
approaching he could see the approaching dust cloud
swishing He smiled at the swishing sound.
blame took the blame for the sunflower seeds

Define These Words

jagged: Having rough, uneven edges.
approaching: Coming closer.

Critical thinking

1. Stanley hopes the Warden is watching so she will know something about Zero. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Stanley sees Zero.

2. Three days have passed since the Warden scratched Mr. Sir. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Mr. Sir treats Stanley's water during these days.

3. Mr. Pendanski gives Stanley a little extra water. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he seems to know and how he acts on it.