This too should get a movie adaption. Characters are colorful and Sachar's writing is vivid in detail. If you read "Holes" you HAVE to read "Small Steps."
Small Steps
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Holes sequel is unlike predecessor; for tweens.
Why We Rated This
for Ages 11–14
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Small Steps
Parents need to know that this is pretty edgy for a book aimed at 10-year-olds. There are references to sex and drugs, a bit of pretty nasty violence, and the hero is involved, mostly through stupidity, in some shady dealings.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what it's like for a convict trying to get his life together. How would you deal with the difficulties and unfairness? Why are his own parents so suspicious of him? Issues of race are also raised. Why are people afraid of Armpit? Is this reasonable? Another important theme is fame, which here is presented in a negative light. After reading about Kaira's life, would you want to be famous? Why or why not?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Brilliant sequel to "Holes"
I rate this title on for age 12 and give it- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Ages 11+
Awesome book mostly sexual content and some language, A girl has a seizure in front of a whole crowd at a concert
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Good for Older Kids but not anyone under 10
Good book even though I'm only on the first chapter, I can tell it is going to be a really good book!
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I think this was an amazing book! Kiara was a great role model and how Armpit was trying to turn his life around was so positive! I read it with my book club run by two eleven year-olds with all eleven year olds in it. It was awesome, but for anyone under the age of ten i would advise that the parent/gaurdian flips through the book first.


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