- Illustrated Chapter Books
- Ages 9–12
- Comedy
Bim Blake's Hot Takes
Book 1 in Bim BlakeView the full series
A warm, funny, highly illustrated diary about starting Year Seven, from the bestselling author of Onyeka. Bim navigates first crushes, first bras and maths misery while quietly carrying the loss of her mum three years earlier.
- Best for9–12
- FormatIllustrated
- Length304 pp
- Read aloud~2 hr
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Comedic
- Conversational
- Epistolary
Tone
- Funny
- Warm
- Heartwarming
- Bittersweet
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
"My name's Bim Blake. I've just started high school and here's my hot take on it: Year Seven is a LOT harder than I thought!" So begins Bim's diary as she navigates a brand-new school and all the chaos that comes with it: getting a first bra, an uncooperative school skirt, ongoing maths misery, a first crush and endless friendship drama. At home she lives with her dad and three brothers, and beneath the jokes runs the quiet ache of her mum, who died of cancer three years ago and whom Bim hasn't really gotten over. Tolá Okogwu, bestselling author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, launches a relatable, slice-of-life tween series that is genuinely funny and full of heart, with gorgeous illustrations by Ariyana Taylor throughout. Perfect for fans of Dork Diaries, Lottie Brooks and Nina Peanut, it balances laugh-out-loud comedy with an honest, gently handled portrait of growing up and grief.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A 9-12 independent read in a fast, illustrated diary format, ideal for children starting or dreading secondary school. The comedy carries younger tweens, while the thread of grief for a parent gives it real emotional weight for older, more sensitive readers.
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- Best fit · 9–12
- Read aloud · 9–12
- Independent · 9–12
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Moderate
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Reading together
- Reluctant readers
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: grief, death of parent, illness or disability.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
2 / 5 · Use judgement
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Funny diary
- Starting secondary school
- Reluctant readers
- Inclusive representation
Avoid if
- Sensitive to parental death
- Wants gentle bedtime
Particularly good for children who are…
- Moving to secondary school
- Bereavement
- Making friends
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Bim's diary is packed with the real cringe of starting high school: first bras, maths sets, crushes and friendship fallouts, all told with brilliant comic timing. Kids feel completely seen, and the illustrations make every page a fast, funny read.
- Friendship and belonging
- Being understood finally
- Proving yourself
Why parents love it
From the author of Onyeka, this slice-of-life diary nails the comedy of starting secondary school while handling Bim's grief for her late mum with real tenderness. Warm, inclusive and reassuring, it's a lovely, layered read for tweens finding their feet.
- Shared humour
- Cultural representation
- Conversation starter
In the series
Bim Blake.
2 books · open the series →
About the creators
About the creators.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
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Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
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