The Tent

The Tent, by Gary Paulsen
Published by Harcourt Brace & Company in 1995
86 pages
Warning: This novel contains Christian religious content, crime and some language
Genre: Religious, Adventure, Family

This is the story of a poor father and son desperate for money. The two decide to become scheming "preachers." With a tent purchased at a thrift shop which is battered and beaten, the two set out across the country traveling to small towns. They begin preaching and passing around a collection plate, taking the donations for themselves. Not owning a Bible, the two use a Bible stolen from a local hotel. After success, the two become even more greedy for more money. Then encounter a man who suggests they use actors to stage being physically healed to increase their profits. The father and son team pursue this suggestion and substantially increase their profits to buy a used Cadillac.

This story is interesting, as the two discover their ethics and what is considered to be ethical by those surrounding them. How far will the two go for money? Do they ever admit to their scheme? I like the open ending of the novel and that readers are left questioning because this requires readers to think more about the ethics presented in the novel and what exactly is right and wrong.