When he steals the truck to look for Zero, he thinks to himself, "He couldn't blame his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather this time. This time it was his own fault, one hundred percent" (Sachar 148). Stanley finally finds happiness in the most unlikely of places, an onion field on the side of a mountain. The onions heal Stanley and Zero because they are what is left of the Onion Man's field, and he was a good, decent person. Stanley discovers he is a good, decent person too, and he begins to like himself, and that is the beginning of his transformation.
Stanley's ordeal at Green Lake really shows that life has many twists and turns, and everything that happens is supposed to happen, like destiny. The Yelnats were supposed to suffer so they could fully enjoy their success. Stanley was supposed to get hit by those tennis shoes to make the entire story…...

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References

Sachar, Louis. Holes. New York: Yearling Books, 1998.

Boy in the Girls' Bathroom
Bradley Chalkers is at odds with the world. He is the oldest boy in the fifth grade, but nobody likes him. He has no friends, and covers up for his social insecurities by lying constantly, getting into trouble at school, slacking off, and bullying other kids. Bradley has essentially built up a defensive wall around himself, solidified by anger, resentment, fear, and low self-esteem. Bradley's classmates respond through snickers and taunts, and teachers respond with exasperation. His collection of broken toys represents his fractured relationship with the outside world.

Enter Carla Davis, a new school counselor who shares some of Bradley's eccentricity and who thereby becomes the only person who can pierce through Bradley's self-imposed social isolation. Carla's sense of humor and her colorful personality are catalysts for Bradley's transformation from a troublemaker to a popular kid. However, just as Bradley comes out of his shell…...

Many adult readers disagree with the portrayed unreality of Dahl's books because in life everything is not fair, and good does not always win. Even when the hero of the Witches is permanently turned into a mouse, the reader is assured by the main character that, "I honestly don't feel especially bad about it. I don't even feel angry. In fact, I feel rather good" This lack of remorse is typical of Dahl's stories.

Similarly, many do not like Dahl's concept that virtue and poverty go together, such as with Miss Honey, Matilda's adored teacher. Some find this objectionable because it is a view consistent with Marxist philosophy, not one that supports free market capitalism.

Further criticism arises from Dahl's portrayal of adults, which many believe has a negative impact on the young readers. Throughout his work, authoritarian adults are often the victims of horrible revenge. However, what some find most upsetting…...

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Bibliography

Charlie Series

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Novels

David iesner's Body Of ork In Children's Literature
This is an essay discussing children's author and illustrator David iesner's body of work as a whole. Four books, Tuesday, Free Fall, June 29,1999, and The Three Pigs are examined for plots, settings, themes, characters, and style. Specific references to individual texts are included. Four sources used. MLA.

David iesner

David iesner has been delighting children and adults as well since his first publication, "The Loathsome Dragon." He became known as a picture book artist with the publication of "Free Fall," a wordless book. He has since become the winner of the Caldecott Medal and is considered one of today's most accomplished authors and illustrators of children's books. There is always an element of logic behind his fantasies. Moreover his illustrations are unique and visually appealing. Although he has authored several story books, including a his own version of "The Three Pigs," iesner's style is…...

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Works Cited

Wiesner, David. Free Fall. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Book. 1988; p1,3.

Wiesner, David. June 29, 1999. Clarion Books. 1992; p.1,7.

Wiesner, David. The Three Pigs. Clarion Books. 2001; p 4.

Wiesner, David. Tuesday. Clarion Books. 1991; p 1,9,17,27.