The sugarcane kids and the empty cage by Charlie Archbold
The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage is the second exciting adventure book in The Sugarcane Kids series. Written by South Australian author Charlie Archbold, the story is once again set in a small coastal town in far North Queensland, surrounded by lush, green, tropical rainforests, mangroves and the sea. In this latest publication, Andy and Eli and their friends, Bernie, Fletch and Harvey, are drawn to solve yet another mystery: the disappearance of native animals. At the beginning of the book are some very pertinent facts related to the plot that provide a glimpse of two of the much-loved animals, as well as the humorous side to Andy who is telling the story.
The narrative begins with an explanation of Nyepi Day, a Balinese tradition important to Eli’s family and friends. It is at Eli’s place that the reader learns about Gloria, an eclectus parrot who goes everywhere with Old Jean. Sadly, it is Gloria that is the first missing animal. This is devastating for many especially Old Jean. This is quickly followed by the disappearance of Anna, ‘not an anaconda’ but a scrub python housed in the library then Lenny, the bearded dragon that lives in the clubhouse at the golf course. Running parallel to this is the absent classroom teacher Mrs Cummins and canteen manager and bus driver Mrs Mathur, who have been replaced by Declan Nightweasel who basically lets the students do as they please, and Lyndell Hench who manages the canteen with an iron fist and drives the bus like it’s in a race.
It is not long before the intrepid Sugarcane Kids realise that something is not quite right with the Hench, as she is now called, and two twin visitors who seem to appear at the most obvious of times. The Kids meet daily to try to solve the mystery and it is while they are separated and finding out more about their suspects, that what has been happening and where the missing animals may be, falls into place. The evil adults in the story will stop at nothing to make money from the illegal trade of native Australian animals and the children do put themselves in danger on a number of occasions. But with bravery, clever problem solving and using the skills they each have they are able to out thwart the criminals.
The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage is another rollicking read where children are given the freedom to roam and spend their days talking, bike riding, problem solving and enjoying their natural environment. The wonderful descriptive language used to describe different habitats add to the whole enjoyment of the story, and with the fabulous use of humour this a highly engaging read that will appeal to many middle grade readers.
Themes Family, Friends, Far North Queensland, Adventure, Danger, Excitement, Illegal Native Animal Trade, Suspicions, Investigative Skills, Humour.
Kathryn Beilby
