Gloria the talkative eclectus parrot is missing from the animal sanctuary, and Anna the massive ‘not an anaconda’ Australian scrub python has vanished from her enclosure at the library. Have they escaped? Or were they stolen?
When Andy and the Sugarcane Kids hear about an illegal native-animal trade, they know they have to investigate. Gloria and Anna are not only much-loved residents of their small coastal town in far north Queensland, but they also have very particular care needs.Andy, Eli, Harvey and the twins, Bernie and Fletch, along with Andy’s trusty sausage dog Washington, have their eyes on a prime suspect: the Hench, the fierce, mean new canteen lady who is behaving very strangely. Can the Sugarcane Kids follow the clues to discover what is going on? Will they find Gloria and Anna in time? And what unexpected dangers lie in wait for them? The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage is the second book in the Sugarcane Kids series.
If you're new to the Sugarcane Kids, it would pay to read the first book before picking up this one. There's a slew of characters and I found them a little hard to unravel to begin with; reading the first book may have made for an easier transition.
Having said that, the story is exciting and fast-paced, and perfectly pitched for its middle grade audience. Author Charlie Archbold keeps the pace fast while examining themes of justice, friendship and animal rights. While it revolves around some deep themes, it's not a story about issues. Archbold touches on some important topics, but doesn't dive too deeply into them. Instead readers are encouraged to explore them and seek out more information themselves.
Archbold's characters are diverse, and it was lovely to see different kinds of friendships and families within the pages. There's lots of humour too, all of which is age-appropriate. The setting becomes almost a character itself, with Archbold placing the reader deep into the Australian bush.
The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage is a fun read perfectly pitched to the next generation of action lovers.
Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell
Text Publishing
Comments