Chapter 31

Holes

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

He tried to convince himself it wasn’t impossible. There had been a storm just a few days ago.

Read the passage aloud. How does the second sentence try to help the first?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens in this chapter, from Stanley digging angrily to the Warden's orders about Zero's records.

1. Stanley counts the ifs about Big Thumb: if it is close, if it is the same place, if water is still there. What do those ifs tell us about him?Inference

2. Stanley thinks of a deal with the Warden to keep Zero from being scratched. What would the deal cost, and who would pay?Theme

3. Stanley is angry at everyone, but mostly at himself. How fair is that?Character

4. Each time the Warden asks about Zero, Stanley answers “No,” though he hopes Zero found God’s thumb. Was that honest?Moral reasoning

5. The author gives “But he didn’t.” a paragraph all to itself. Why might he set it apart?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you knew what you should do for a friend and found reasons to wait.

Vocabulary

Crossword

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Across

Across 1. To make someone believe something.
Across 3. To rub out or remove completely.
Across 5. Written papers that keep facts about someone.
Across 6. A safe place to go when in danger.
Across 7. Puffed up larger than normal.
Across 8. Probably going to happen.

Down

Down 2. Not able to happen.
Down 3. In the end, after some time.
Down 4. A strong wish to do something.

The words in the chapter

convince He tried to convince himself it wasn’t impossible.
impossible He tried to convince himself it wasn’t impossible.
refuge the same place where his great-grandfather found refuge
eventually they’d still have to come back here, eventually
urge had felt the urge to climb to the top of that mountain

swollen Mr. Pendanski’s face was so swollen
records destroy all of his records
erase I don’t think I can erase him completely from all the state files
likely It didn’t seem likely.

Critical thinking

1. Stanley hopes Zero found God’s thumb on his own. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what makes Stanley think that could be true.

2. Stanley digs Zero's hole as well as his own, long after the others go in. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what this shows about him.

3. The Warden orders Zero's records destroyed. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why she believes she can get away with it.