Bim Blakes’s Hot Takes: My Pencil Case Doesn’t Define Me
Tolá Okogwu
Puffin

Written in diary style, this book is ideal for readers in upper KS2 into KS3. It’s narrative voice – Bim’s – is one they’ll relate to immediately as she talks of such topics as getting that first bra, a skirt that’s way too long, on-going struggles with maths, having a first crush and friendship dramas aplenty.

Bim lives with her dad who does his best but often seems preoccupied and is a hopeless cook, her three brothers – Dami who is away at university most of the time and twin brothers Temi and Tayo who love to tease their sister. Their mum died three years ago from cancer, something that Bim especially hasn’t really got over (this is handled with sensitively); she does have two aunts who are very loving but their strong opinions sometimes drive Bim crazy.

Key themes – self-esteem, identity and peer pressure are explored mainly through humour whereas the grief is handled more gently.

With to-do list items concluding every day, humorous line drawings by Ariyana Taylor, occasional affirmations and the ‘Besties That Slay Group Chat’ as part of the narrative, there is so much to enjoy about this one and I strongly recommend it both as an independent read or a year six class reader. The next instalment is coming in January 2027 – I can hardly wait.