The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat

Winner of the 2023 Davitt Award for Best Children's Novel

Winner of The Readings Children’s Prize 2022

Middle-grade readers can join the Sugarcane kids as they collect clues and try to solve a mystery in this bright, fun and captivating Australian adventure.

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?

Charlie Archbold’s action-packed new middle-grade adventure is a fun story of sleuthing, courageous deeds, the triumph of good over evil - and the power of friendship.