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Small Steps
Small Steps
Author: Louis Sachar
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it’s hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbour. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780385661577
ISBN-10: 0385661576
Publication Date: 1/10/2006
Pages: 272
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 1

4.5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Small Steps on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Nowhere near as good as "Holes"!!
GeniusJen avatar reviewed Small Steps on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Christian C. for TeensReadToo.com

Remember Armpit, from HOLES? It's been two years since he was released from Camp Green Lake Juvenile Correctional Facility, and ever since, he's been trying to stay clean. In order to stay clean, he's established for himself five small steps:

1. Graduate from high school.
2. Get a job.
3. Save his money.
4. Avoid situations that might turn violent.
5. Lose the name Armpit.

(By the way, this is not a sequel to HOLES; you don't need to read HOLES to enjoy this book.)

At first, everything goes smoothly, but, slowly, every single one of those steps will be challenged.

For the past year, Armpit has been working for a landscaping and irrigation company, and he has saved almost a thousand dollars. But one day, his friend from camp, X-Ray, tells him that he has the perfect plan to double his money. Rock singer Kaira DeLeon is going on tour, and her next stop is their own town. X-Ray's plan is to buy twelve tickets and resell them for double the money. But since X-Ray doesn't have any money, he asks Armpit for all his savings. Armpit is not sure that this plan is such a great idea, but he doesn't want to let his friend down. So after giving it a lot of thought, he decides to do it.

When I read that I went: What? Is he stupid or what? Of course he's never going to see his money again! Or is he?

Well, unfortunately that's all I can tell you. Oh, wait! There is something else I can tell you -- somehow, Armpit and his 10-year-old neighbor, who suffers cerebral paralysis, get to meet rock star Kaira DeLeon. But you'll have to read the book to learn how that neat twist unfolds.

To me, SMALL STEPS was like a good meal that left me completely satisfied. The story kept surprising me with its unexpected turns.

There's plenty of action, there are good guys you root for and bad guys you wish the worst for, there are a lot of funny moments, and sad moments, too. SMALL STEPS is very good read. Maybe it's not as strong as HOLES; nevertheless,it's a good story.
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reviewed Small Steps on + 3352 more book reviews
By the author of Holes - with some of the characters from Holes
LimeBlack avatar reviewed Small Steps on + 9 more book reviews
This book was awesome. It totally lived up to Holes. Although you don't need to read Holes, I'd suggest it. It offers a few details on what Armpit's life was like at Camp Green Lake that you might find interesting.


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