5 brilliant books about transitioning to secondary school by Tola Okogwu

My eldest daughter loves reading, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, a few years ago, getting her to read was like pulling teeth. That is, until I stopped to ask her why and the answer shocked me. She said she couldn’t find any books that sparked her interest. 

Upon further investigation, it turned out she wanted a funny book that featured a bit of romance and a side of mystery. She wanted to see all the chaotic feelings and cringe moments that she was experiencing in her pre-teen life. 

Thus, my new series, Bím Blake’s Hot Takes, was born. The first book, My Pencil Case Doesn’t Define Me, follows Bím Blake as she navigates starting secondary school, and changes in her home life and friendship group, as well as that all-important first crush. 

So, if you’re like my daughter and looking for brilliant books set in Year 7, here are a few recommendations. 

Told entirely through group chat messages, Cringe Club brings the diary format into the modern age. We follow Kennedy King as she navigates moving to a new city and starting a new school. But at least she has a new phone which allows her to stay in contact with her old friends through their Cringe Club group chat. 

Hilarious, entirely bingeable and as the title would suggest, totally cringeworthy, this book is a lot of fun. 

Finn N. O. Hope is our poor protagonist who’s desperate for a win in his epically chaotic life. But with a unicorn-obsessed younger sister, annoying older brother and Lycra-wearing father, Finn seems destined to fail. But all is not lost as Finn, along with his two best friends, Laszlo and Google, battle to survive Year 7, one mortifying failure at a time. 

Inspired by one of my favourite books as a child, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend, Phil Earle has created a hilarious and relatable successor that’s full of heart and laughs.

Nate is back and he’s starting secondary school after a difficult time in Year 6. But with his family and friends by his side, Nate is up for the challenge as he makes new friends, avoids old bullies and faces off against strict teachers. When a surprise reappearance threatens to derail Nate’s efforts, will he let the anger he’s worked so hard to control take over? 

Written in verse with gorgeous illustrations throughout, The First Year is a powerful sequel to the highly acclaimed The Final Year, and readers would definitely benefit from reading the first book. 

Sabine Adeyinka shows us what starting a new school looks like from a whole new perspective. Set in the nineties and based in a Nigerian boarding school, we meet naive and carefree Jummy Afolabi, who is beyond excited to be starting at the River School. She’s even more excited to do so with her long-suffering best friend, Caro, by her side. But when things don’t go to plan, Jummy is forced to grapple with the social injustices she’s spent her whole life ignoring. 

Packed with drama, crocodiles and delicious Nigerian food, it’s a glimpse into another world that I think any readers will appreciate and enjoy. 

Loki, Norse god of mischief, has landed himself in hot water with Odin (his dad and king of the gods). As punishment, he is banished to Earth in the body of an 11-year-old boy. To make matters worse, he must prove he’s ready to fix up through daily updates in his magical journal. Which we lucky readers get to read in this hilarious and supernatural take on the popular pre-teen diary style book. 

Follow Loki as he navigates human school, struggles to tell the truth, make friends and outdo his ​‘perfect’ older brother, Thor. Accompanied by Stowell’s unique and funny doodles, it’s a laugh-out loud read. 

Bím Blake’s Hot Takes: My Pencil Case Doesn’t Define Me by Tọlá Okogwu, illustrated by Ariyana Taylor, is out now.