Texas at the end of the 20th century. The setting is a camp for delinquent youths. The focus is on the boy Stanley Yelnats, who evolves from an outsider into a brave and proactive individual, increasingly taking responsibility for himself and others. With heart and intellect, he manages to initiate a fateful turn for everyone involved. Louis Sachar's novel, published in 1998, remains relevant today. This tragicomic novel is entertaining and cheerful, without sugarcoating reality. In Holes, the darker sides of the rule of law in the USA are also highlighted, where even children can fall into the machinery of the penal system. Additionally, this book can be understood as a critique of American racism in both the past and present. Nevertheless, it is primarily the lovable character Stanley Yelnats that leaves a lasting impression.