In her latest instalment, The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay, Andy and his friends find themselves investigating a new puzzle that threatens both their community and the natural environment they love. Combining page-turning suspense with themes of friendship, courage and environmental stewardship, the novel offers readers another engaging adventure with the resourceful Sugarcane Kids taking charge.
Title: The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay
Author: Charlie Archbold
Illustrator: R.S. Miller
Publisher: Text Publishing
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781923058385
For ages: 8-12 years
Type: Junior Fiction
Kids' Book Review spoke with Charlie about the inspiration behind the story, creating memorable mysteries for young readers, and what lies ahead for the series.
Q: What first inspired the idea for Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay, and how did the setting of Angel Bay come to life for you?
The idea for Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay came from a couple of things. Firstly, a greedy Queensland grouper fish that was regularly fed by locals in a place I knew well. Animals are very important characters in the community where the Sugarcane Kids live and I wanted to introduce a fish, so Jerry came to life. Secondly, I have seen how the region has been developed over time and I wanted to explore this threat to habitat.
Q: This book and the first two Sugarcane Kids titles in the series combine mystery, adventure, and friendship so effectively — what drew you to writing in this genre for young readers?
When I was young I loved reading stories that combined mystery, adventure and friendship and I wanted to write books that gave me the same sense of excitement and independence. I love writing stories where the young protagonists need to solve problems and help others without too much adult intervention.
Q: How did you develop the personalities and dynamics of the Sugarcane Kids, and was there one character you connected with most while writing?
The story is told from Andy’s point of view so I do feel very connected to him and his family and friends. I can easily get into Andy’s head when I am writing. The joy of writing a series is that you can expand on the cast of characters you create in the first book and build backstory and relationships. That has been so much fun.
Q: The atmosphere of the story feels vivid and immersive. Did any real places, memories, or experiences influence the world of Angel Bay?
I was lucky to have lived and worked in Far North Queensland so the region is very familiar to me. It is an amazing part of Australia. Every time I visit I discover more and that often leads to new story ideas. The world of Angel Bay is influenced by the Great Barrier Reef. Not only life out on the reef and ocean, but on the beaches and landscape that border it. It is a fragile and interconnected environment.
Q: Mystery stories rely on suspense and clues — what was the most challenging part of balancing twists and reveals for a younger audience?
I think plotting the reveals and solutions is the hardest part in writing mystery stories. You don’t want to give too much away because you want your reader to solve the mystery alongside your characters. It is hard if one character knows something and another doesn’t, so you have to double-check those plot twists.
Q: What do you hope young readers take away from the story beyond solving the mystery itself?
I hope they get the idea that everyone can make a difference in their world and that this is best done with the help of friendship and community.
Q: Are you currently working on another adventure for the Sugarcane Kids, or exploring any new writing projects readers can look forward to?
I don’t have a contract to write another one yet, but I am doing one anyway. It is going to be a ghost adventure that takes place on a school camp called The Sugarcane Kids and the Ghost of Pandora Park. I love writing these stories and characters so I am going to keep going until they have had all the adventures I think they need.
Q: What’s your one golden nugget of advice for other writers hoping to enter the magical world of children’s literature?
Know your readership so you solve the plot as your young readers would. Essentially, think like a child or young adult if you are writing in their world. This helps makes your writer voice more authentic.
Q: What first inspired the idea for Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay, and how did the setting of Angel Bay come to life for you?
The idea for Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay came from a couple of things. Firstly, a greedy Queensland grouper fish that was regularly fed by locals in a place I knew well. Animals are very important characters in the community where the Sugarcane Kids live and I wanted to introduce a fish, so Jerry came to life. Secondly, I have seen how the region has been developed over time and I wanted to explore this threat to habitat.
Q: This book and the first two Sugarcane Kids titles in the series combine mystery, adventure, and friendship so effectively — what drew you to writing in this genre for young readers?
When I was young I loved reading stories that combined mystery, adventure and friendship and I wanted to write books that gave me the same sense of excitement and independence. I love writing stories where the young protagonists need to solve problems and help others without too much adult intervention.
Q: How did you develop the personalities and dynamics of the Sugarcane Kids, and was there one character you connected with most while writing?
The story is told from Andy’s point of view so I do feel very connected to him and his family and friends. I can easily get into Andy’s head when I am writing. The joy of writing a series is that you can expand on the cast of characters you create in the first book and build backstory and relationships. That has been so much fun.
Q: The atmosphere of the story feels vivid and immersive. Did any real places, memories, or experiences influence the world of Angel Bay?
I was lucky to have lived and worked in Far North Queensland so the region is very familiar to me. It is an amazing part of Australia. Every time I visit I discover more and that often leads to new story ideas. The world of Angel Bay is influenced by the Great Barrier Reef. Not only life out on the reef and ocean, but on the beaches and landscape that border it. It is a fragile and interconnected environment.
Q: Mystery stories rely on suspense and clues — what was the most challenging part of balancing twists and reveals for a younger audience?
I think plotting the reveals and solutions is the hardest part in writing mystery stories. You don’t want to give too much away because you want your reader to solve the mystery alongside your characters. It is hard if one character knows something and another doesn’t, so you have to double-check those plot twists.
Q: What do you hope young readers take away from the story beyond solving the mystery itself?
I hope they get the idea that everyone can make a difference in their world and that this is best done with the help of friendship and community.
Q: Are you currently working on another adventure for the Sugarcane Kids, or exploring any new writing projects readers can look forward to?
I don’t have a contract to write another one yet, but I am doing one anyway. It is going to be a ghost adventure that takes place on a school camp called The Sugarcane Kids and the Ghost of Pandora Park. I love writing these stories and characters so I am going to keep going until they have had all the adventures I think they need.
Q: What’s your one golden nugget of advice for other writers hoping to enter the magical world of children’s literature?
Know your readership so you solve the plot as your young readers would. Essentially, think like a child or young adult if you are writing in their world. This helps makes your writer voice more authentic.
Title: The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay
Author: Charlie Archbold
Illustrator: R.S. Miller
Publisher: Text Publishing
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781923058385
For ages: 8-12 years
Type: Junior Fiction
