How to Compare "Holes" the Book & Movie

"Holes" by Louis Sachar is popular as both a book and movie.

The novel "Holes," a young adult book by author Louis Sachar, won the 1998 Newbery Award. The movie version of the book, released in 2003, was successful with the critics and at the box office.

Comparisons

"Holes" is a useful piece of work to help students learn how to compare a book to its movie because both are well-known. In discussing the comparison, students can identify the parts of the book they liked best vs. their favorite moments in the movie. They can also learn to identify ways in which either version of the story could be made better.

Discussions

A discussion of the character of Stanley Yelnats in the third chapter of the book is a fruitful starting place for comparing the book to the movie. Students can compare Stanley as he is described in the book to the way he is portrayed in the movie and discuss why changes were made.

Activities

Students can complete a Venn diagram showing the overlapping areas and differences between the book and the movie. They can write a review of the movie, persuading the reader to see or avoid it. They can design posters for "Holes," pointing out how their visual choices would be different for the book's poster vs. the movie's poster.

References

• Disney: Holes-The Movie vs. the Book
• Doc Stoc: Holes-Movie and Book Comparison
• Merkel Middle School: Holes