Book Review: Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2 by R. J. Timmis

Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2 

by

R. J. Timmis

THERE'S AWESOME AND THEN THERE'S.....JAWSOME

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Series: Jawsome #2 

Publication date: 20th February 2024

Genre: Junior Fiction / Humour

Pages: 272

RRP: $15.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

Review: Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2

Rebecca Timmis from Mertales fame now has a new series for kids that like a little more danger and a little more action in their books.

 

Jawsome 2 - Licence to Rock is so much fun, pure escapism for kids.

Two books in one! In the first story Finley and his band need to foil an evil plot by mean anglerfish who intend to shrink the sun.

In the second story Finley must overcome his fear of playing the wrong notes and slam out a tune to save the entire town from turning into zombies and being taken over by killer whales.

 

Lots of fun and action. The play on words will be enjoyed by the children and the adults reading to them. With many of the words resonating more with parent readers. ie: Cosmopolifin magazine, Michael Jackfin, Stranger Fins and Beverly Shells 90210.

 

Finley and crew are very modern, civilised fish with phones, computers and internet.

 

Extensively illustrated throughout, Jawsome really is awesome! If you like a bit of silly fun wrapped around fast-paced action and danger, you will love the Jawsome series. 

Recommended age 6 - 10 years

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: Team Trouble! by Eddie Woo & Dave Hartley

 Team Trouble!

by

Eddie Woo & Dave Hartley

Illustrated by Mitch Vane

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Pan Australia 

Publication date: 28th June 2022

Series: Whodunnit, Eddie Woo? #2

Genre: Junior fiction / Middle Grade / Mystery

Pages: 204

RRP: $14.99AU (paperback)

Source: Won 

 

Review: Team Trouble!

Eddie Woo Super Sleuth is ready for action and mystery. With a mind for maths and a nose for adventure, he is about to skateboard into ... danger.

Eddie and his friends Rusty and DT are back in Team Trouble with more messages to decipher and codes to crack.

 

In this book Eddie and friends must find a way to stop the nursing home from closing down to make way for a coal seam gas plant. The team uses maths to decipher a coded message left by one of the nursing home residents.

 

Lots of action and plenty of danger as the trio come across a bird smuggling operation run by money hungry developers. When the trio gets kidnapped they are rescued by the most unlikeliest people.

While trying to thwart the baddies the team must also practice for the Triple Threat Quest which involves singing, maths and skateboarding, with the best team being crowned the winners.

Plenty of humour and great sketches by Mitch Vane make Team Trouble an engaging read.

Middle graders will enjoy the team challenge, sense of adventure and danger.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended age: 7+ years

Book Review: The Gruffalo Special Edition by Julia Donaldson

 The Gruffalo

25 years special edition

by

Julia Donaldson

illustrated by Alex Scheffler

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication date: 9th January 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $14.99AU (paperback) 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: The Gruffalo

Join Mouse as he comes face to face with a fox, an owl, a snake and  .... oh help! Oh no! A Gruffalo!

 

The Gruffalo is an enchanting story about a very clever little  mouse who outsmarts his predators.

 

What is better than a copy of The Gruffalo?

A copy of the 25 years special edition with a shiny gold cover!! 

It's the same enchanting story that we have read and loved in a shiny new edition for the next generation to enjoy.

Comes with bonus material from Julia and Axel. Plus ideas for Gruffalo cupcakes and how to make the full cast of characters from wooden spoons. The last page features music and words to the Gruffalo song and a QR code to hear the song.

The Gruffalo has become a classic in children's picture books.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended age: 3+

Book Review: Smoke & Mirrors by Barry Jonsberg

 Smoke & Mirrors

by

Barry Jonsberg

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th January 2024

Genre: Young Adult / Junior Fiction

Pages: 272

RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Smoke & Mirrors 

Barry Jonsberg writes heartfelt stories that cut to the core of serious issues and Smoke & Mirrors is no exception. With themes of fractured families, alcoholism, cancer and voluntary assisted dying Smoke & Mirrors could be a sombre read but Jonsberg adds humour to lighten the story.  

 

Grace cares about two things, magic and her grandmother. They share a sharp sense of humour and Gran can give back as much as Grace dishes out.

Grace doesn't trust anyone and when Simon offers to help her become a social media star and earn money from her magic act she doesn't trust him either but is prepared to take his help, at arm's length.

 

Smoke & Mirrors is a heartfelt story about a teen trying to find her place in the world. Grace's family have suffered a tragedy and instead of helping each other they have each turned inward blocking their loved ones out. 

When Gran is diagnosed with a terminal illness Grace volunteers to be her carer.

 

Reading Smoke & Mirrors as an adult I found the story heartbreaking, however I feel the targeted age group would connect more with the magic, how amazing and determined Grace is and how restorative her friendship with Simon is.

 

I loved the way Jonsberg revealed the twists subtly, a few words spoken, easily missed.

 

The publisher's age range is 10 - 14 years. I might be a little cautious but with the topics explored I have recommended an age range of 12 -16 years. 

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐