
Title: The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat
Author: Charlie Archbold
Publisher: Text Publishing
Publication date: 31 May, 2022
Themes: Friendship, environment, stereotypes, good versus evil
Comprehensive teaching notes are available at Text Publishing here
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold is a suspenseful middle grade mystery novel that sees Andy, Eli and three of their loyal friends, dubbed the Sugarcane Kids, dare to brave croc infested waters to collect evidence to prove the innocence of Eli’s cousin, Jacob. They believe he has been framed for a crime he did not commit. This story, full of twists and turns, will see readers cheer on the Sugarcane Kids as they face nefarious characters who will stop at nothing to protect their criminal activities. The determined children work together in the face of adversity to gather information, work out if their sources are trustworthy, and eliminate red herrings in a quest to collect evidence to clear Jacob’s name. The trust these friends have in each other, their unwavering loyalty, resourcefulness and resilience is testament to the power of friendship and highlights that children can make a difference and triumph over evil.
This action-packed adventure is set in a small coastal town in far north Queensland where danger lurks in the environment, beauty surrounds and being a local is a big advantage when it comes to navigating the environment that is richly and vividly described.
With a fortnight to go until Jacob’s trial and no evidence to prove he is innocent, the Sugarcane Kids take action. They work together to decide who actually stole the jewellery as they are certain it is not Jacob. But then if it’s not him, who could it be? Adding to this complex mission they also need evidence to present to the authorities. They display numerous traits of successful sleuths as they creatively problem solve, meticulously plan, are highly observant, display good communication skills and are relentlessly persistent. The intelligence they gather leads them to Ruby, not a person, rather a boat, that was capsized in a hurricane and washed into the mangroves. Ruby is embedded in the swamp, upside down with her red hull protruding from the water. Furthermore, Ruby happens to be in Sebastian’s territory, he is the most fearsome and largest croc in the mangroves and the children all know about Sebastian as his reputation precedes him.
A dangerous mission ensues, but not before stake outs, working out a way to distract Sebastian and many close calls that sees their quest threatened. Readers will be captivated to find out if the Sugarcane Kids can get to the evidence in time to save Jacob.
This thrilling adventure also includes themes relating to diversity, stereotyping, media bias, inclusivity and the theme that really shines is the power of friendship. This book would make an excellent read aloud and serve as a gateway to conversations about friendship, teamwork, overcoming obstacles and the environment.