Finn’s Epic Fails is a change of direction from Phil Earle’s recent historical fiction masterpieces. More in line with books like Demolition Dad and Northern Soul, it is a warm-hearted, comedy delight! Al Murphy’s fantastic illustrations add an extra layer of laughs, putting readers right in the middle of the story.
Finn is struggling with life in Year 7. Lessons are boring, friendships are challenging and life at home is rubbish. Since his parents’ divorce, Dad just gets more and more embarrassing in his lycra cycling gear while his little sister, Maisie, harasses Finn with her unicorn obsession and his older brother, Jonah, is just plain mean. The only things that keeps him going are his best friends, Google and Laszlo.
Every page is comedy genius, full of all the horrors of starting secondary school. There’s the massive uniform that looks ridiculous, mortifying school swimming lessons, the horror of school photo day and the unending torture of having an older brother at the same school. It seems nothing is going Finn’s way and he doesn’t know what to do about it. Readers already at high school will commiserate with Finn’s misery and laugh at just how close to home these stories hit. Those in years 5 and 6 might feel slightly nervous about moving up!
Finn’s Epic Fails deserves a place in every Upper Key Stage Two and Key Stage Three library. Children will be queuing up to read this epic book!
A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Books for an early copy of this brilliant book. It will be published in January 2026.
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