Holes by Louis Sachar, 233 pages

If Stanley Yelnats and his parents didn't have bad luck, they wouldn't have any luck at all.  They can trace the bad luck to Stanley's no-good, dirty rotten, pig stealing great-great grandfather.  Some even say there is a curse on the family. 

Stanley's latest round of bad luck sends him to Camp Green Lake, a detention camp for wayward boys.  It isn't green and there isn't a lake and the boys are expected to dig a five-foot hole every day in the old lake bed.

Stanley unknowingly gets the chance to break the family curse while he's there.  This is a great children's book that won many awards, including the 1999 Newbery Medal.  I listened to it because I was looking for something quick and enjoyable and I was not disappointed.