Chapter 49 · Holes

Copywork

The lawyer actually turned around while driving and looked at him. “I didn’t hear that,” she said. “And I advise you to make sure I don’t hear it again.”

Read the passage aloud. What do you hear in the way she says the same word twice?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens in this chapter, from Sam's customers in the town to the drop of rain at the end.

Ms. Morengo says Stanley couldn’t have stolen the sneakers, and Zero answers, “He didn’t. I did.” What might Zero want her to understand? Inference
Ms. Morengo says she did not hear Zero’s words and tells him to make sure she doesn’t hear them again. Who might that help? Moral reasoning
Walter looks unsure, then Sam laughs along with the men, and even Mary Lou hee-haws. What mood do you hear in that laughter? Tone
Stanley’s ears redden at the thought of the notebook, even after all he has been through. Why might that small shame still sting? Character
The chapter ends with “a drop of rain” falling after the boys fall asleep. Why might the author end here, and what does he leave unsaid? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone told the truth even though it was hard to hear.

Vocabulary

actually: The lawyer actually turned around while driving and looked at him. In fact; really.
advise: I advise you to make sure I don’t hear it again. To tell someone what you think they should do.
patent: she was a patent attorney A paper that gives someone the sole right to an invention.
investigating: so I did a little investigating Looking into the facts.
shame: the memory still caused him to feel shame A painful feeling of having done or been something embarrassing.
eliminates: a product that eliminates foot odor Gets rid of completely.
familiar: It smells familiar Known; seen or smelled before.
anchored: his boat, which was anchored just a little off shore Held in place by a heavy weight.
bloodstream: You got to get it into your bloodstream. The blood moving through the body.

Critical thinking

Ms. Morengo says Stanley could not have stolen the sneakers. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how she proves it.
Sam tells the men how to take the onion juice. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he treats his customers and his promise.
Zero says the sample smells familiar and Ms. Morengo says everyone says peaches. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what the chapter tells us about the product, and what it does not.