Holes — Chapter 34

About This Passage

This is one of the biggest moments in the entire book. For chapter after chapter, Stanley has been worried about Zero. He has looked in every hole. He has almost given up. And now, under an old upside-down boat called the Mary Lou, something is moving. A dark hand. An orange sleeve. Sachar does not write the name 'Zero' — not yet. He lets the sleeve do the talking. An orange sleeve means only one thing at this camp: a boy from Group D. Stanley has found what he could not even let himself say he was looking for.

Narration Prompt

Retell Chapter 34 to a grown-up. Start with Stanley walking under the hot sun, feeling almost ready to quit. Tell about the mirage — the fake pool that kept running away. Then about his first sight of Big Thumb, the mountain shaped like a hand giving a thumbs-up. Then tell about the mysterious object Stanley sees far away. Finish with what Stanley finds under the boat — a dark hand, an orange sleeve, and a weak voice answering 'Hey.'

Discussion Questions

1. What in the story tells you that Stanley almost GAVE UP — that he thought about turning around before he even saw the boat — but something kept him going?
2. What in the story tells you that the Big Thumb mountain ENCOURAGED Stanley — gave him a thumbs-up and made him want to keep going — even though he knew he couldn't really reach it?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide