Books by author: Louis Sachar

Kevin got interested in Sachar's Wayside School books, so I dusted this off and read it to him over the past month or so. My reaction was similar to when I first read it five years ago: this is a decent kid's book, but it doesn't quite cut it as an adult novel. Kevin enjoyed it, and I must admit it was more fun to read it aloud.

I try to keep an eye out for children's books with depth — the ones with a dark side, such as the His Dark Materials trilogy, or Coraline. I had come across several references to Louis Sachar's book Holes during the last year or so, and decided to give it a try.

Alas, Holes isn't in the same league as those other books. It has some intriguing elements (the spotted lizards, the holes, the Warden), but the final payoff isn't all that rewarding. I can understand why this appeals to pre-teens, but there isn't much here for adults.