Camp Green Lake closed shortly after I left, and I thought that was the end of it. But then Holes was published, and lots of law-enforcement officials and politicians read it. They all thought, "Wow, what a great idea!" And they reopened Camp Green Lake. That is why I decided to write this survival guide.

Life at Camp Green Lake Juvenile Correctional Facility is very tough. There are holes to be dug, there is the peril of the poisonous insects and lizards, there are friendships to be forged and foes to be avoided. Life is hard for everyone. Race, skin, colour, the grades you got at school, whether you were one of the popular kids — none of that matters. Stanley's Survival Guide shares all that he learned in his time at the camp, and has a few survival tests to keep you on your toes. Remember, it's not about being tough. It's about being smart.