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CollectionAges 9–12Illustrated Chapter Books

Finn's Epic Fails

A universe by Phil Earle

A disaster-magnet's not-a-diary of secondary-school catastrophes, rated on a Fail-o-metre; hilarious, warm-hearted and perfect for Wimpy Kid fans and reluctant readers.

  • Series

    1
  • Books

    2
  • Best for

    9–12
  • Status

    Ongoing

At a glance

Primary creator
Phil Earle
First book
Finn's Epic Fails · 2026
Tone
Funny, Silly, Irreverent, Warm
Overall sensitivity
Moderate

The shape of it

The shape of this universe.

Finn's Epic Fails is Phil Earle's fast, punchy comedy series, illustrated on every page by Al Murphy, following disaster-magnet Finn N.O. Hope through the indignities of secondary school and family life. Told as Finn's definitely-not-a-diary, complete with a built-in Fail-o-metre rating each humiliation, the books barrel through classroom catastrophes, sibling warfare and holidays gone gloriously wrong. Beneath the toilet humour and chaos is a warm, big-hearted story about friendship, resilience and figuring out who you are while your family quietly changes shape around you, including the ache of Finn's parents' divorce. Snappy chapters and laugh-out-loud scribbly art make it catnip for reluctant readers and a natural next step for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans.

A disaster-magnet's not-a-diary of secondary-school catastrophes, rated on a Fail-o-metre; hilarious, warm-hearted and perfect for Wimpy Kid fans and reluctant readers.

Primary themes

Tone palette

  • Funny
  • Silly
  • Irreverent
  • Warm

The series

One way in.

Cultural footprint

A shelf of evidence.

Cultural ubiquity

2/ 5

A working classic for readers in the know.

Sensitivity

Moderate, and collection-wide.

ModerateCollection-wide

Content notes

  • Parental separation

Across the collection

All 2 books.

About the creator

Phil Earle.

Phil Earle

Author

Phil Earle: British children's author of the award-winning When the Sky Falls and the riotously funny Finn's Epic Fails, a reliable favourite for reluctant readers.

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