The Final Year

(Paperback)

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Description

The first novel, told in verse, for middle grade readers by acclaimed poet Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton. A powerful and lyrical story about finding your place in the world and the people that matter within it.

See that tall, skinny kid with the ball in his hand sayin see ya later to his mate

Thats me: Nathan Wilder - Nate. 10 years old and a week away from the end of Year 5. Life can be tough in your last year of primary school. Tests to take, preparing for the change to high school. Nate is ready for it all, knowing his best friend PS at his side - theyve been inseparable since Nursery. But when they are put in two different classes and PS finds a new friend in Turner, the school bully, his world turns upside-down. As he struggles to make sense of this and forge new friendships, hes dealt another blow when his youngest brother, Dylan is rushed into hospital. His new teacher, Mr. Joshua, sees a spark inside of Nate thats lit by his love of reading and writing and shows him how to use this to make sense of whats going on. But with so much working against him, and anger rising inside him, will this be enough

Reviews

"I am pleased to report it is EXCELLENT in every way.Told in verse, with illustrations, it focuses on a young boy going into school year 6. Think friendships, SATs, family life. This book will steal your heart, rearrange it and return it.Lovely references to David Almond.This is most definitely recommended to all age 8 upwards, all parents, all teachers. Simply go buy it!"

-- Fiona Sharp * Independent Book Reviews *

"A beautiful story of friendship, family, grief, falling apart and putting yourself back together again. Also a love letter to David Almond who I agree is one of the Greats of All Time."

* Manjeet Mann *

"Matt Goodfellow is a stunning poet, well known for his beautifully crafted, often poignant work, which is highly relatable. In The Final Year, he has brought all his skill with language to create a very powerful verse novel which is sensitive and incredibly relevant...

There are a million more things which I could say about this incredible book but I just suggest people read it and get it into the hands of children who will see themselves and feel understood, recognised and valued. More books like this are needed."

* Through The Bookshelf *

"Well-written, authentic and very moving. And could really help to inspire children to write their own stories in their own voices.

* David Almond *

"Written with compassion and sensitivity by Matt Goodfellow and blessed with Joe Todd-Stanton's distinctive illustrations, this eminently relatable coming-of-age verse novel revolves around Nate's troubled journey into the final year of primary school."

* Waterstones: The Children's Books You Need to Read in 2023: July - December *

Author Bio

Former primary school teacher Matt Goodfellow is now a full-time poet who visits schools across the country to give high-energy performances and workshops. His first poetry collection for Otter-Barry Books, Chicken on the Roof, received wide acclaim. He is also the author of Caterpillar Cake, illustrated by Krina Patel-Sage, Shu-Lin's Grandpa, illustrated by Yu Rong, and a contributor to Being Me: Poems about Thoughts, Worries and Feelings, all published by Otter-Barry Books. Matt lives in Stockport, Manchester, UK.

Joe Todd-Stanton is an author/illustrator who grew up in Brighton and studied at UWE Bristol, receiving a first-class degree in Illustration. His picture book The Secret of Black Rock was longlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Award and won the Waterstones Childrens Book Prize. DreamWorks Animation have optioned the motion picture rights to his Brownstones Mythical Collection series. He has twice been shortlisted for the Oscars Book Prize.