Five Go Off to Camp facts for kids
Original 1948 first edition cover
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| Author | Enid Blyton |
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| Illustrator | Eileen Soper |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Famous Five series |
| Genre | Mystery, Adventure novel |
| Publisher | Hodder & Stoughton |
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Publication date
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1948 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Preceded by | Five On Kirrin Island Again |
| Followed by | Five Get Into Trouble |
Five Go Off To Camp is the seventh exciting book in The Famous Five adventure series by Enid Blyton. It first came out in 1948. This story is all about a mystery involving strange "spook trains." The Famous Five hear about these trains on a quiet, empty moor. This popular book has even been made into two different TV shows.
Contents
The Mysterious Spook Trains
The Famous Five are Julian, Dick, George (whose real name is Georgina), Anne, and their dog, Timmy. They plan a fun camping trip on a moor. They go with Mr. Luffy, a teacher from Julian and Dick's school. Mr. Luffy loves insects and can be a bit forgetful.
When they arrive, their campsite is near a farm. They discover old train tracks running under the moor. Some of these tracks are no longer used. Soon, they become friends with a boy named Jock. Jock lives at the farm with his mother and stepfather, who own the farm.
Exploring the Abandoned Railway
While exploring the moor, the Five find an old railway yard. They also find a tunnel that seems to be abandoned. A watchman named Wooden Leg Sam warns them. He tells them that "spook trains" travel along those tracks. Then, he chases them away.
The next day, the children visit Jock at the farm. They tell him all about the mysterious spook trains. Jock's stepfather, Mr. Andrews, owns the farm. He has bought a lot of expensive new equipment. But the farm workers are not doing their jobs well.
A Secret Investigation
When Mr. Andrews hears about the spook trains, he warns the children. He tells them to stay away from the railway yard. He also tries to stop Jock from meeting the Famous Five.
Julian and Dick decide to investigate the trains secretly. For two nights, they sneak out with Jock. They leave the girls behind at camp. They discover that a mysterious train does indeed come out of the tunnel. It then goes back into the tunnel later.
The next day, George is very angry. She is upset that the boys left her and Anne behind. She even gets mad at Anne for being scared. George later says sorry to everyone for her behavior. That night, she tries to set a trap for the train, but it does not work.
George's Discovery
The next day, George refuses to join the others. She goes off with Timmy to find the spook trains by herself. She does find one! The train enters a secret area. This area is behind a part of the tunnel that was supposed to be blocked off.
Meanwhile, Julian and Dick explore the tunnel. Anne waits outside for them. But the boys are captured by some men. Mr. Andrews is leading these men. Anne quickly runs off to find Mr. Luffy. She gets lost on her way, but eventually finds him. Mr. Luffy is with some police officers. They were already looking for the missing Famous Five.
The Rescue and Arrests
George, who had been hiding inside the train, helps the boys escape. They realize the train is being used for smuggling. They try to find a way out of the tunnel. But they are captured again. Just in time, Anne arrives with Mr. Luffy and the police. They free the Famous Five. Timmy the dog helps round up the criminals. The police arrest them.
The Famous Five return to the farm. Jock is very excited about the adventure. He says it was "smashing!"
Book Adaptations
Five Go Off to Camp has been made into TV shows and a radio drama.
Television Series
The story was adapted for an episode of The Famous Five television series in 1978. Southern Television produced this show for ITV. In 1996, another Famous Five television series also featured this story. It first aired on July 29, 1996.
Other Adaptations
Five Go Off to Camp was also adapted for a radio drama. A gamebook called The Haunted Railway Game (1983) was based on this novel too.
See also
In Spanish: Los Cinco van de camping para niños
