Louis Sachar

  • 39

    Catalog books

  • 34

    Works

  • 1993 to 2025

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Louis Sachar writes short, sharp stories that blend wry humor with sudden emotional punches. From middle-grade classroom sketches like Class President to the longer, twisty novel HoIes, his work centers kids facing awkward social tests and surprising moral reckonings.

Sachar’s books move between realistic schoolroom scenes — Dogs Don't Tell Jokes, The Boy Who Lost His Face, Marvin Redpost — and more elaborate puzzles of fate and justice. His voice stays conversational, with plain language that opens onto unexpected cruelty, resilience, and small acts of courage.

Best Place To Start

Dogs Don't Tell Jokes

Random House Childrens Books • 2000 • standard commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Holes • Funny, character-driven middle-grade stories • Clever, twisty plotting

Genres and themes: Middle-grade fiction • Humor and heart • Friendship and resilience • School and coming-of-age

Who this author is best for: Readers who like witty, emotionally honest stories with memorable characters and a mix of humor and mystery will enjoy these books.

Start with Holes for a complete, acclaimed novel or try Dogs Don't Tell Jokes for a lighter, comedic middle-grade read.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Dogs Don't Tell Jokes

    Random House Childrens Books • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 209 pages.

  2. There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

    Random House Childrens Books • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 195 pages.

  3. The Boy Who Lost His Face

    Random House Childrens Books • 1997 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1997 • 198 pages.

  4. Small Steps

    BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING PLC • 2006 • standard commitment

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  5. Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger (rack) (Wayside School)

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 2005 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2005 • 150 pages.

  6. Holes ****UK HB 1/1****

    Bloomsbury Pub Ltd • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2000 • 240 pages.

  7. Super Fast, Out of Control! (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

    Random House Childrens Books • 2000 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 96 pages.

  8. A Flying Birthday Cake? (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

    Random House Childrens Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 96 pages.

  9. Class President (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

    Random House Childrens Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 80 pages.

  10. Holes (Newbery Medal Book)

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 1998 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1998 • 233 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom is the easier short commitment, while Dogs Don't Tell Jokes asks for more reading time up front.

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