The young adult follow-up to the bestselling Newbery Award book and movie sensation, Holes.
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 believe in Armpit is Ginny, his ten-year-old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps.
Armpit seems to be on the right path until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. X-Ray's plan leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation Kaira DeLeon, the Beyoncé of her time, and suddenly Armpit's life spins out of control. Only one thing is certain: he'll never be the same again.
Combining his signature wit with a unique blend of adventure and deeply felt characters, Sachar explores issues of race, the nature of celebrity, the invisible connections that shape a person's life, and what it takes to stay the course. Doing the right thing is never a wrong choice—but always a small step in right direction.
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"I liked this better than Holes. It expands on the theme of trying to create a self image in the face of overwhelming expectations (both good and bad) and older teens trying to take control of their lives even if they don't feel ready or capable."
— Keli (4 out of 5 stars)
“His prose is clear and relaxed, and funny in a low-key, observant way.”
— New York Times“Sachar has a talent for creating realistic relationships between unlikely friends. Although that’s a staple device of children’s literature, it often works by drawing on clichés. Sachar’s characters, though, are never stereotypes, but always vividly alive.”
— Los Angeles Times“Louis Sachar is magic to the toughest circle of critics: librarians, children’s booksellers, teachers—and, most of all, kids.”
— USA Today“Sachar’s touch is as deft as ever and the book is a page-turner.”
— Detroit Free-PressLouis Sachar is magic to the toughest circle of critics: librarians, children’s booksellers, teachers – and, most of all, kids.
— USA TodaySachar’s touch is as deft as ever and the book is a page-turner.
— Detroit Free-Press"Mr. Sachar's gentle but surefire approach nails down challenging issues such as racism, teen romance and drugs.
— Dallas Morning News"Sachar has a talent for creating realistic relationships between unlikely friends. Although that's a staple device of children's literature, it often works by drawing on clichés. Sachar's characters, though, are never stereotypes, but always vividly alive.
— Los Angeles TimesHis prose is clear and relaxed, and funny in a low-key, observant way.
— New York TimesPart of what makes Small Steps so believable and appealing is that its characters do have insecurities, and they aren’t ashamed to let them show.
— BookPageSachar is a master storyteller who creates memorable characters.
— School Library Journal"Cleverly wrought…heartwarming, witty and suspenseful.A dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism.
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)A brilliant achievement.
— School Library JournalA smart jigsaw puzzle of a novel.
— The New York TimesImaginative plotting and memorable characters make this novel a winner.
— Book Magazine" Sequel to Holes. Good message about friendship and people who are disabled. "
— 'Chele, 2/8/2014" It's the sequel to Holes about Armpit. "
— Yaoyao, 1/30/2014" I really loved this book. The adventure that the author takes us through is quite engaging. The type of character that the author creates is very unique. "
— Brendon, 1/24/2014" Less intresting than the first book. "
— Ma6ddo08, 1/19/2014" This was an awesome sequal to Holes. A must read if you loved the first one. It was a quick easy read that I couldn't put down. There were many plot twists that moved the story along quite easily. "
— Matt, 1/2/2014" This book is about another character from Holes. Not quite as good as Holes, but still worth the read. "
— Lindsay, 1/2/2014" small steps is the sequal to holes its the story about armpit who leaves camp and comes back to live in the real world he is a gentle giant "
— Nat, 1/2/2014" it was a great book "
— Brandon, 10/31/2013" an amazing sequel to holes "
— Niko, 9/23/2013" Much more serious tone than Holes. "
— Lia, 9/10/2013" Take off from Holes. Similar to Holes. "
— Rosalie, 9/3/2013" Realistic Fiction, trying to make a quick buck, disabilities, mystery, friendship, music stardom. I listened to this book on audio and definitely was in engaged. It was pretty predictable but intermediate to young adolescents would enjoy the book. "
— Deanna, 4/17/2013" Its quiet slow and hard to get into "
— Maggie, 9/4/2012" This book is kind of a sequel to holes. It's awesome and there is a little bit of romance in it. It's cool!!!!! "
— Elizabeth, 6/11/2012" This book is hilarious . It follows the book hole and is about 2 campers getting together in a ticket scam. "
— Sis_p5ejoseph, 5/23/2012" Pretty good book for the most part. The only thing is i didnt like how it ended because it left you wondering:/ "
— Justina, 1/1/2012" Louis Sachar's Holes was very well written so I had really high expectations for this book. This book was simple and not as exciting as I expected. "
— Yena, 11/30/2011" It wasn't exactly the ending that I was expecting, but it was still very interesting! "
— Alexis, 11/23/2011" Small Steps is a children's book from the same author that wrote Holes. It actually has some of the same characters in it that Holes does. I actually enjoyed it better than Holes. It had a good meaning and I think kids would really enjoy it! "
— Lauren, 5/21/2011" Small Steps is only good if you have already read Holes (which I did). The end of Small Steps is sweet and very, very confusing... "
— Tatum, 5/16/2011" Trying to milk the Holes franchise, aren't we Louis Sachar? AREN'T WE?<br/>Pretty good book.<br/>Although I don't really remember any of it. "
— Maddie, 5/16/2011" It's kind of harsh but I think holes is better "
— Ben, 4/23/2011" Well...this sequel to Holes is no Holes. "
— Alison, 4/20/2011" Awesome book. Better than Holes in my opinion. "
— Severus, 4/4/2011" What a great book! Really good for inner city schools, you can really relate to the main character. Wonderful heart warming book. Good to use instead of holes same format/writing style not as well known. "
— Samantha, 3/31/2011" I absolutely loved this book!!! <3 i would reccomemnd this book to everyone! i have it if anyone wants to borrow it!! :P "
— Morgan, 3/18/2011" I think I thought this one would be just as exciting as Holes, but the semi-sort of sequel which focused on "Armpit" and his post Camp Green Lake experiences was a very good story, too. (I did miss Stanley Yelnats and Zero though...) "
— Kristina, 3/17/2011" I always end up reading young adult novels when I visit my parents place. "
— Evie, 3/9/2011Louis Sachar is the author of the New York Times bestseller Holes, which won the Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Christopher Award. He also wrote Stanley Yelnats’ Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake; Small Steps, winner of the Schneider Family Book Award; and The Cardturner, a Publishers Weekly Best Book, a Parents’ Choice Gold Award recipient, and an ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book. His books for younger readers include There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, The Boy Who Lost His Face, Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes, and the Marvin Redpost series, among many others.