Jawsome: Licence to Rock
R.J. Timmis
Allen & Unwin

There’s not one but two stories in this action-packed volume, the first being the titular Licence to Rock. Let me now introduce, as he says himself. ‘Finley – supernormal shark kid by day, totally famous rock star by night.’ His fellow band members are his best friends Hunter (Harriet Heartens), Gilleon (Greyson Glitter) and Gnash (Gnarly Nelson). Adult readers will find themselves smiling at these punning names,
As the first story opens the band are preparing to head off to participate in the Euro-fishin competition in Shellbania but then at the last minute Gnash fails to show up.

With just two days before the contest the clock is ticking if the other three are to find him in time. Off they go to Gnash’s home to look for a lead and there find a card with a fish symbol that sends them rushing to the Business District. Having managed to get themselves into FISH HQ, they learn that not only is Gnash there but that using his talent for rhythm, he’s helping a super-secret spy agency track down the evil organisation, A.B.B.A (Alliance of Brutally Bad Anglerfish)

and stop them from shrinking the sun; and it transpires, from taking over the entire ocean. Can Gnash crack the vital code and with his friends prevent ABBA causing crab-tastrophe? If so, is there any way that Jawsome can get to that competition in time to compete in Euro-fishin.

In the second adventure Zombie Sharks Attack! Finley is fearful about playing wrong notes in the Rhythm and Chews festival and becoming a laughing stock. The big problem though is the sudden arrival on the music scene of The Killer Wails, they’re even top of the popularity polls, stealing audiences from Jawsome by the minute. Come festival day, the four arrive on stage and find that they have no audience at all. Cancellations follow, but also something extremely seaspicious: the school is empty save for Principal Flotsam who has turned into a zombie. In fact every shark in Chumville is zombified. It seems that this is down to the sinister doings of Killer Wails. The only ones not under the mind control of the new group are Jawsome. They need to investigate pronto. Ear muffs on guys, if you’re to stand any chance of overcoming the dastardly Killer Wails; followed quickly by Jawsome’s performance of their lives.

The power of friendship and determination are crucial here, and Jawsome have those in abundance though none is flawless. For KS2 readers, liberally illustrated, this is super silly, fast paced punning fun with elements borrowed from tv shows and films. I wonder how many they will identify.