Why Holes Might Be the Perfect Read-Aloud for Tweens (Even If You’ve

You know that moment when your kid sees the cover of a book you’re about to start reading and says, “Oh, we’ve already seen that movie”? Instant deflation.

If you’re anything like me, your homeschool reading list is filled with intentional picks. Books with layered themes, strong character arcs, and opportunities for rich conversation. So it can feel like a waste of time to go back to a story they already know, right?

But hear me out. Holes by Louis Sachar might just be the exception.

In fact, it might be exactly what your upper elementary or middle schooler needs to reconnect with books and start thinking more deeply about stories.

Let me show you why.

Familiar Doesn’t Mean Shallow…It Can Mean Opportunity

When a child has seen the movie version of a book, we often assume they’ll be bored or disengaged. But familiarity can actually open the door to deeper thinking…Especially for readers who are reluctant, struggling, or just on the cusp of adolescence.

With Holes, there are so many layers at play:

Themes of justice, friendship, and generational consequences
Flashbacks that require readers to make connections across timelines
A non-linear plot that challenges readers to piece together meaning

In our homeschool, reading Holes after the movie actually helped my daughter track the complex plot more confidently. She already had the “big picture,” so instead of getting lost in the who’s-who, she focused more on why the events mattered.

That’s a win in my book.

It’s a Story That Grows with Your Reader

When kids watch Holes as a movie, they see an adventure story.

When they read it with intentional reflection, they start noticing the why behind the story: the unfairness of Camp Green Lake’s punishment system, the family legacy of bad luck, the symbolism of digging holes to uncover truth (literal and emotional).

Those are the kinds of conversations we want to be having with our tweens, right?

And let’s be honest…As a homeschooling parent, you don’t want to slog through another surface-level worksheet. You want to give your kids a chance to wrestle with big ideas, and you want a tool that makes it easier to guide them there.

A Better Way to Read Holes Together

That’s exactly why I created my Holes novel study unit. It’s designed with middle-grade homeschoolers in mind—kids who need structure but not busywork.

Each day includes:

A comprehension question that encourages reflection and text-based answers
A vocabulary word pulled directly from the day’s reading
Options for printable trifolds, cut-and-paste journals, or Google Slides (so you can use what works best for your child)

Plus, the questions are designed to support reluctant or overwhelmed learners without being busywork, so you’re not spending your time re-explaining directions or correcting pages of multiple choice.

If your 11–13-year-old needs help building stamina and confidence with chapter books, this structure gives them a clear, consistent way to engage with the story…even if they “already know what happens.”

Because let’s face it: just knowing the plot isn’t the same as understanding it.

Don’t Rule Out Holes

If your child has already watched Holes, that doesn’t mean the book is off the table. In fact, it might be the perfect next step for developing critical reading skills, especially if they’re in the tween years and ready for something deeper.

And if you’re looking for a low-prep way to make that happen?

✅ Thoughtful questions
✅ Built-in vocabulary
✅ Easy-to-follow format
✅ Flexible enough for multiple learners at once