What was the lipstick case in book Holes by Louis Sachar?

The lipstick case in Louis Sachar's *Holes* is a crucial piece of evidence in the story. It's not just a lipstick case, but a yellow plastic case with a tiny mirror inside, which is where the real significance lies. Here's why it's so important:

* Stanley's connection: Stanley Yelnats IV, the main character, finds the case while digging his hole at Camp Green Lake. He has no idea why it's important but keeps it as a memento.

* Kate Barlow's connection: It's revealed that the lipstick case belonged to Kate Barlow, a notorious outlaw and the love interest of Sam, an African-American man who was wrongly accused of stealing a watermelon. The case holds a piece of a photograph of Sam.

* The curse: The case is connected to the Yelnats family curse. Stanley's great-great-grandfather, Kissin' Kate Barlow's great-great-grandson, is said to be cursed by the woman for stealing her treasure.

* The truth: The case helps Stanley and Zero, another inmate at the camp, to understand the truth about the town's history, the reason behind the camp, and the real reason why Sam was wrongly accused.

The lipstick case serves as a physical representation of the historical injustice and the link between Stanley's family and Kate Barlow's legacy. It helps unravel the mystery of Camp Green Lake and brings closure to the long-standing feud between the two families.