Louis Sachar is an author who writes great books with lots of humor. His books make you want to keep reading just because the characters and events in his stories are so outrageous you will laugh out loud! He is the author of the Sideways Stories from Wayside School series as well as the Marvin Redpost series. His books are always really funny and are about regular kids that are easy to relate to. His book Holes was so great, it was made into movie in 2003. My favorite is the Wayside School series, which is about a school that has 30 floors (one for each class) but was missing a 19th floor. The books tell the wild stories of the children from the 30th floor and their strange teacher Mrs. Jewls. Louis Sachar has also written Sixth Grade Secrets, Someday Angeline, There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom, Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes and several others. His latest book is called Small Steps and is written about a character named “Armpit” from his book Holes. So, if you want something fun to read, pick up a book by Louis Sachar and be prepared to laugh.

Author Biography

Louis Sachar was born March 20, 1954 to Robert and Ruth Sachar in East Meadows, New York. At the age of nine, Louis moved with his parents to Tustin, California, where his father worked as a salesman and his mother worked as a real estate broker. After graduating high school, Louis moved back east to attend Antioch College in Ohio. Tragically, Louis’s father died during his first semester of college, and Louis had to return home to be with his mother. For a few years after his father’s death, Louis worked as a salesman, or a “Fuller Brush” man, selling cleaning products door-to-door. Eventually, he decided to go back to college. During his years in college, Louis worked as a teacher’s aide for a local elementary school in order to earn college credit. He claims that it was an experience of a lifetime and that many of the experiences he had as a teacher’s aide inspired several of his books later in life.
In 1976, Louis graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Economics. Soon after, he wrote Sideways Stories from Wayside School, the first of five popular books in the Wayside School series. His first stories were a success, but despite this, Louis decided to pursue a degree and career in law. He graduated with a law degree from Hastings College in 1980. For the next ten years, Louis would both practice law and continue to write as he struggled to decide which career he wanted to pursue. During this time he wrote such popular books as There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom, Someday Angeline, and the rest of the books in the Wayside School series.
In 1985, Louis married Carla Askew. Their daughter Sherre was born in 1987. By 1989, Louis’s books were so successful that he quit practicing law and worked solely as a writer. In the years to follow he wrote such critically acclaimed books as the Marvin Redpost series and Holes, which was turned into a film in 2003 and for which he was awarded the 1999 National Book Award, the Newberry Medal and the 2001 Mark Twain Award.
Louis’s writing is renowned for its humor and its understanding of the issues and interests that young readers experience. Louis’s inspiration for his writing comes not only from his experiences working with children and from his own childhood memories, but also from his favorite children’s authors, including Katherine Paterson, Lois Lowry, Avi, William Steader and Walter Dean Myer. Some of Louis’s personally favorite authors include E.L Doctorow, Margaret Atwood, E.B. White, Richard Price and Kazuo Ishiguro.
Today, Louis Sachar continues to write books. His last book, Small Steps, was published in 2006. Louis works for two hours a day when he is writing a book and always writes at least five or six drafts of all his books. He never allows anyone, not even his family, to read his books until he is completely finished. While Louis loves writing now, he admits that did not find reading and writing exciting until high school. He also admits that writing is a difficult profession, that ideas are often hard to come by, and that working as a writer is a very lonely job. However, he claims that nothing makes him more proud than the thought of all the books he has written and published.
Louis now lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and daughter and their dogs. His favorite pastime, other than writing, is playing bridge and he often travels the country to play in bridge tournaments. He also enjoys skiing, going to the beach, playing tennis and taking long walks with his dogs. He is not currently writing any books—at least, that we know of!

Books by Louis Sachar and Where to Find More!

Books by Louis Sachar:
Someday Angeline: Being a genius causes Angeline nothing but trouble with the tough kids, her teacher, and even her father. But then she meets "Goon" and Mr. Bone and gets a chance at happiness.
Sixth Grade Secrets: Laura has what seems like a great idea. She will start a secret club called Pig City. To make sure members keep the club secret, they must reveal something embarrassing to the other members as "insurance". Before long everything is out of control—Pig City has a rival, the secrets are exposed, and Laura loses her hair (sort of).
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom: Bradley Chalkers is a misfit, a liar, and a bully. He doesn't have friend in the world. The kids think he's a monster, and Bradley seems to agree. When he is sent to the new school counselor, she sees the likable Bradley beneath the "monster". But just as she begins to build Bradley's self-confidence, the school board decides to replace her with a computer.
The Boy who Lost his Face:Trying too hard to fit in, David goes along with some boys who harass an old woman. When she puts a curse on him, he is suddenly unpopular at school! As he tries to rid himself of the curse, David must decide what he truly believes and what is right.
Johnny's in the Basement: Growing up is difficult, so Johnny just stays in the basement with his World's Greatest Bottle Cap Collection. When his parents tell him to get rid of the collection and then sign him up for dancing lessons, life looks impossible—until he has his first dance with Valerie Plum.
Dogs Don't Tell Jokes: Class clown Gary "Goon'' Boone loves to tell jokes, but everyone else is tired of them, and him. When the school talent show is announced, Gary decides to perfect his humor and show everyone just how funny he can be. But the road to success has many potholes and Gary's dreams may be headed for disaster.
Holes:Stanley Yelnats was given a choice. The judge said, "You may go to jail, or you may go to Camp Green Lake." Stanley was from a poor family. He had never been to camp before.
Stanley Yelnats' Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake: This is a "Holes" companion book.
The Marvin Redpost Series
Kidnapped at Birth?: Marvin is convinced that he was kidnapped at birth and is really the Lost Prince of Shampoon.
Why Pick on Me?:When Marvin is unfairly accused of being a nose-picker by the class bully, his classmates begin avoiding him. Can he prove his innocence?
Is He A Girl?:Marvin has been told he'll turn into a girl if he kisses his elbow. After his lips "accidentally" touch his elbow, he wonders if it is happening.
Alone in His Teacher's House:When his teacher pays Marvin to take care of her old dog, Waldo, while she's away, all his classmates envy him—until Waldo dies.
Class President:The President of the United States pays a surprise visit to Marvin's class on ''hole day." Everyone, even the teacher, is wearing clothes with holes.
A Flying Birthday Cake?: Marvin and his friend Nick think they've seen a UFO while camping out. Then an odd new kid named Joe Normal shows up at school. Is he a space invader?
Super Fast Out of Control!: Marvin has been dared to ride his new mountain bike down "Suicide Hill." Will he become a daredevil or wimp out?
A Magic Crystal?: Casey Happleton shows Marvin a magic crystal she's found and offers to give Marvin a few wishes. Is the crystal really magic?
The Wayside School Series
Sideways Stories from Wayside School:Wayside School was supposed to be 30 classrooms, one story high; but by mistake it was built straight up 30 stories. And that's not all that's funny here.
Wayside School is Falling Down: More teetering tales and quirky characters from the thirtieth floor of towering Wayside School. The craziness continues.
Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger: When their teacher, Mrs. Jewls, leaves to have her baby, the kids go through a series of substitutes, each one a little stranger than the last.
Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School: Have fun solving more than 50 mathematical brain teasers while reading this great collection of Wayside School stories.
More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School: This terrific sequel to the original collection of brain twisters and math puzzles adds up to a lot of fun.

http://www.louissachar.com/Booklist.htm

More information on Louis Sachar can be found-->

http://www.louissachar.com (official website)
http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbcmagazine/meet/louissachar.html
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/sachar.htm (a teacher resource page)
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-sachar-louis.asp
http://www.louissachar.co.uk/
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol18/issue26/books.sachar.html
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3603

Book Bag Activity with Holes

Holes

by Louis Sachar

Read at Home
(Book Bag Activity for 6th Grade)

Materials:
• Holes by Louis Sachar
• Backpack
• Small Gardening Spade
• Canteen
• Notebook
• Stationary and Pen
• Kissin' Kate Barlowe's Spiced Peaches Recipe
• Sunflower Seeds

Dear Reader:
Holes is a fascinating book that I am sure you will love! As it is a lengthy book (50 chapters), I have included more than one activity for you to do at certain points in the book! I hope that you will thoroughly enjoy the activities and your book!

Dear Parent or Reading Buddy:
Your 6th grade student will be reading Holes and engaging in several fun activities that I have created to go along with the book! Although your student may choose to read this book independently, it would also be awesome if he or she wanted to read the book aloud to you or have you read parts of the book aloud to him or her. Either way, please ensure that your student has a fun and safe experience with the following activities. Also, I would greatly appreciate it you could return the following materials at the end of the two week period allotted for the check-out of this book bag activity:
• Holes by Louis Sachar
• Back pack
• Canteen
• Small Gardening Spade

The student will use and keep the stationary, pen, sunflower seeds and peach recipe. They will also ultimately be able to keep the notebook, but must return it took school to share in class or with the teacher. The teacher will informally assess the written work and return the notebook. There is no grade on this activity, so have fun!

Thank You,
6th Grade Teacher


Activities

Activity 1: Chapters 1-9
Just as Stanley wrote home to his mother about his experience at Camp Green Lake, write a letter to your parents or guardians as if you were staying at Camp Green Lake. Would you create a wonderful story to make your loved ones feel better, even though its false? Would you tell the whole truth? Or only parts of the truth? Think about these things as you write your letter on the stationary provided in your back pack. Don't forget to send (or give) it to your loved ones, but make or write a copy to put in your notebook to share with the class and your teacher!

Just for Fun: Did you notice that Stanley's whole name is a palindrome? That means that his last name is the backwards spelling of his first name. Just look at it: Stanley Yelnats. See? Just for fun, during your free time at home or school, go to
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/brainboosters/wordplay/palindromes.html
and see some common palindromes. Can you think of any other words that are spelled the same forwards and backwards? Can you create any? Write your ideas in your notebook to share with your family and friends!


Activity 2: Chapters 10-20
In Holes, Mr. Sir's favorite snack is sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are certainly good to eat, but they also make beautiful flowers! Using the small gardening spade and the packet of sunflower seeds, follow the directions on the back of the seed packet and plant your seeds. Still following the directions on the seed packet, fill your canteen with water and feed your seeds!

Note: Sunflower seeds can only be planted during the spring, so if you are doing this activity before spring (or the times the seed packet tells you), you will have to wait to plant your seeds! Keep the seeds, but return the spade and canteen! If you need them in the spring, I will make sure you can borrow them again. Also, if you live somewhere where you can't plant sunflowers, it's O.K.! We have plenty of other activities to do! In the meantime, use the Internet at home or school to learn more about sunflowers and write about what you learned in your notebook to share later! Here are some sites and ideas to get you started learning about sunflowers:
• http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h118sunflowers.html
• Type “Sunflowers” into Google and see what you find!


Activity 3: Chapters 21-40
Using the recipe below, make Kissin' Kate Barlow's famous Spiced Peaches! Make sure you get an adult to help you!

Kissin’ Kate Barlow’s Spiced Peaches
Ingredients
1 can (29 ounces) peach halves, drained (save the syrup in
a separate bowl)
2⁄3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
8 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions
In a saucepan, combine 2⁄3 cup of the peach syrup with all the
other ingredients except the peaches. Simmer uncovered for
10 minutes.
Pour over peaches. Cool, then cover and chill for at least 24
hours (or 110 years!).
Bring to room temperature and eat. Any leftover peaches will
keep in the refrigerator for a week.
Serves 6

Just for Fun: Kissin' Kate Barlow is only a fictional character from a story, but did you know that there were several real female outlaws who lived in the “Old West?” During your free time at home or at school, use the Internet to look up some of these famous women from the Wild West!
• Belle Starr, the Bandit Queen
• Cattle Kate
• Etta Place

Write down some notes about what you learned in your notebook to share in class and with your family and friends!


Activity 4: Chapters 40-50
Stanley and the boys dig holes at Camp Green Lake looking for buried treasure! Bury some treasure of your own and make a map to remind you of where you hid it. Bury something that is special to you (but that you don't need right now!), such as a stuffed animal, a toy, a letter, a picture, or collectibles such as seas shells, rocks, coins or playing or trading cards. If you choose to bury something that might get ruined by water or humidity, seal it in a jar or a ziplock bag. Put your item or items in a box and seal it shut. Then find a place to bury it. You can hide it somewhere in the house (an attic, a closet, etc.) or bury it somewhere outside. Don't forget to make a map and stick it somewhere where you can find it. One year from now (or longer if you choose), use your map to find your box and see how exciting it is to find your old favorite things! To make it more fun, you can give the map to a friend or family member and send them on a treasure hunt to find your box with you!


Activity 5:
Can you find the connections and fill in the holes? This book goes back and forth between characters, events and objects in the past and the present, but they are all connected to each other. Using your notebook, jot down as many of those connections as you can find. Then, using the Writing Process, write about those connections and why they are important to the story. Below is a reminder of what the Writing Process includes:
• Pre-Writing: writing down ideas and notes
• Drafting: putting your ideas and notes together
• Revising: add, delete or rearrange your paper so it makes sense to you and your reader
• Editing: fix grammar and spelling mistakes
• Publishing: write your final work and share it!

Use the rest of your notebook for this final activity. Include all stages of the Writing Process in your notebook. Your final paper should be at least one page long. At the end, you will get to share this with your class and teacher!


Modifications:
• If a student is unable to complete any of the activities due to the time of year (i.e. sunflowers) or lack of resources, don't worry! This is just for fun and an extension to education!
• If students do not have a computer or access to the Internet at home, they can use their free time at school or independent Literacy time to complete activities requiring the Internet.

Check-out Time: Two Weeks

References:
1. Kissin' Kate Barlow's Spiced Peaches http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/pdfs/Holes_pt6.pdf