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Parents' Guide to

Small Steps

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Holes sequel delves into edgier territory.

Book Louis Sachar Contemporary Fiction 2006
Small Steps Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Goheather123
Goheather123 Adult
July 14, 2020
age 14+

For a much more mature audience than “Holes”

Thankfully I am reading this out loud to my kids.... they are 7 and 9 and were huge fans of “Holes.” Being that this is the sequel, of course it’s going to appeal to its fan base. The new scene is teen angst. Unfortunately, I am having to filter a TON of very mature content as I read. Drugs, ticket scalping, marital infidelity, mild sexuality (a teen pop star has some racy lyrics and talks about still being a virgin, as well as a few other euphemisms), and some foul language. Had I done my research, I never would have started this book as it’s totally inappropriate. Reader beware.
Small Steps Finality
Small Steps Finality Parent of 13-year-old
April 29, 2010
age 9+
In the end i do not think there is enough finality...I hate not knowing what the future holds for the characters. And for people who rate it aganst Holes that is ridiculous....It's a different book about a different person that should be treated as such
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

At the end of Holes, Camp Green Lake had been shut down and the boys released. After spending time in a halfway house, Theodore (nicknamed Armpit) is working hard to get his life back on track. He has a job, is taking extra classes to graduate from high school, and is saving his money while trying to stay out of trouble. He has even befriended the young girl next door who has cerebral palsy. But then X-Ray shows up with a get-rich-quick scheme that involves scalping tickets to a concert by Kaira DeLeon, the latest teen pop sensation. From there the story gets complicated. Armpit meets Kaira and they strike up a tentative romance. X-Ray goes beyond scalping to counterfeiting, and both the police and rival scalpers come after both of them. And Kaira's manager/stepfather plans to murder her and pin it on Armpit.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (24 ):

It's hard to believe that SMALL STEPS was written by the same author as Holes: This is more of a tangle of elements that resolves into an ill-fitting mess. Holes was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, a complex symphony of disparate thematic elements and vibrant characters woven together in intricate pattern that resolved perfectly.

Louis Sachar knows how to write a fun and enjoyable book. But Holes set the bar a lot higher, and for the sequel to that Newbery Medalist and National Book Award winner something more is expected -- a higher degree of craftsmanship, depth, sophistication, and emotional power, all of which are missing here. Fans of the first book will no doubt want to read it and may even enjoy it (though the romance section of the book appeals to an entirely different audience), but they won't find it as memorable or as powerful.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about sequels. What do you think compels authors to write them? Can a sequel ever live up to a book like Holes, which received so many positive reviews and awards?

  • This book has some edgy material, even though it is marketed for 10+. Common Sense Media gave it a 12+ rating, even though it marked Holes at 9+ -- what do you think? Parents may want to encourage kids to leave their own age recommendations (and overall opinion) by signing into the site and writing a short review.

Book Details

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