I have read an amusing book called Ten in a Tent by Katz. It is a story about a camping trip of ten people.

         Honey goes camping with Bear the dog, her siblings, Mr. Murch, Mrs. Murch and Aunt Finnie. Mr. Murch finds out all the tents in the shop are expensive. He buys a $20 kid’s tents at last. It is small, with a wobbly pole and a flipping flapping door.

         At the camp, although the children don’t want to do that, Mr. Murch sets up a tent in a windy place next to a rubbish bin. The bin is full of garbage. At night, Honey smells the smelly feet and the rotten garbage by the tent. She hears noises that keeps her awake.

         Later, Honey notices there is a hole in their inflatable mattress. It becomes flat. The wind blows hard. After the grown-ups and Bear the dog go out of the tent, the tent blows up high into the sky. The children in the tent have their hearts in their mouths. Mr. Murch grabs the tent. However, his pyjama pants rip open. He has egg on his face. He covers the rip with his hands. Unfortunately, he let go of the tent. The children jump out of the flying tent and landed on the sand beach safely. The tent breaks and falls into the sea.

         At last, Honey suggests going to Bella Vista Motor Inn. It has a colour TV, air conditioning and hot showers. They stay there for the rest of their holiday.

         I thought the story was interesting when Mr. Murch broke his pants. The plot was exciting and surprising. Mr. Murch covered his pants with his hands and let go of the tent. The children were very angry. I was touched by the characters’ human nature. First of all, everyone has some shortcomings. In the story, Mr. Murch was selfish. At first, he did not listen to others’ opinions. The children did not get angry with him because they also had their weaknesses. Secondly, we must work together. The children thought of ideas to jump out of the flying tent. Two heads are better than one. Working together may have better results. Last but not the least, I learnt not to be greedy. Mr. Murch bought a $20 tent but it broke at last.

         My favourite character was Honey. She was smart. She always had good suggestions. If I were Honey, I would tell the grown-ups and Bear the dog to stay in the tent.

         I would like to recommend this book to my friends since they could learn some lessons such as working together and not to be greedy. If they read more storybooks, they won’t be mouse potatoes.

(456 words)