Tọlá Okogwu Speaks to Year 7 Students

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Hi, I’m Tọlá Okogwu, author of the Bím Blake series. Congratulations, you’ve made it through the first half term of Year 7. How are you feeling? 

Have you figured out your way around the never-ending maze of corridors yet? Do you have your train or bus schedule locked down, or are you still getting in late because you decided to snooze your alarm one more time? 

Don’t worry, everything you’re going through, countless children before you have experienced too. I definitely did.

From the exciting new journey I had to make from home to school all on my own, to the army of older kids who always seemed to know what they should be doing. I remember everything felt bigger, except me, and I wondered if that would ever change. 

These memories are what inspired the Bim Blake series. Bim is an 11-year-old girl who is going through a lot of changes and new experiences just like you. From a blazer that feels a little too big, a skirt that’s a little too long, and a pencil case that’s not quite cool enough. Add to the mix a chaotic family made up of three annoying older brothers, two dramatic aunts, one well-meaning dad, and a very special chihuahua. 

In book one, which covers the first term of Year 7, we see Bim navigate friendship mishaps, deal with a horrifying nickname, survive her very first crush, and uncover a mystery surrounding her father. Bim is a character experiencing the dramatic ups and downs of pre-teen life, and through her, readers have someone to share those very same experiences with. 

Starting secondary school is a huge milestone, one you’ll be talking and thinking about for years to come. You’ll form some of the friendships that, if you’re lucky enough, will carry you through the rest of your life. You’ll meet teachers whose words will influence you in ways you can barely imagine. You’ll also gain knowledge that will shape your future thinking. 

So now that the novelty’s wearing off, things will begin to shift and settle, much like the foundations of a newly built house. So don’t panic if your friendship group starts to evolve. It’s normal, and you will find your people. 

There’s always plenty of drama to be found too, both on and offline, and it’s okay to walk away. There will be laughter. There may even be tears, and you’re going to make mistakes. But learning from them is what growing up is all about. 

Lastly, lean into every experience, both good and bad, because it’s what your future memories are made of.