Andy and his best friend Eli live in a small coastal town in far north Queensland. When Eli’s cousin Jacob is arrested for a jewellery theft, Andy and Eli both know he is innocent.
The police have evidence. But something is not right, and Andy and Eli need to work out what – and fast – or Jacob will end up in jail. So, with the help of twins Bernice and Fletcher (AKA Bernie and Fletch) and Andy’s trusty sausage dog, Washington, they set out to hunt for clues to what really happened. The trail points to a mysterious red-bottomed boat rumoured to be hidden deep in the mangroves.
Does it hold the evidence they need to prove Jacob’s innocence? Can they find it without getting lost forever? And how will they outwit Sebastian, the legendary gigantic saltwater crocodile?
If you love adventure, crocodiles and a little bit of danger, Charlie Archbold’s latest middle-grade novel, The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat, is a must-add to your TBR list. This action-packed novel covers themes of family, friendship and loyalty, all while four friends try to prove a young boy innocent.
The friendship between all four characters was intriguing, and I enjoyed their interactions as they worked together in the mangroves. One way Archbold makes this such an edge-of-the-seat adventure is through the novel’s setting. Far North Queensland can be a wild place with the sweeping rainforests and deadly animals, so it was riveting to see this young group of kids brave the precarious landscape.
Recommended for readers aged 8+, I can see The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat provoking thoughtful conversations among young readers. Covering some important environmental issues throughout, this novel would also be a great book to bring into the classroom.
Archbold’s action-packed adventure is ultimately a fun story of sleuthing, courageous deeds, the triumph of good over evil and the power of friendship. We couldn’t recommend it more!
Buy a copy of The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat here.
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