The Final Year
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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, he's dealt another blow when his youngest brother, Dylan is rushed into hospital.
His new teacher, Mr. Joshua, sees a spark inside of Nate that's lit by his love of reading and writing and shows him how to use this to make sense of what's going on. But with so much working against him, and anger rising inside him, will this be enough?
This powerful and lyrical story, told in verse, about finding your place in the world and the people that matter within it explores themes of family, identity, belonging, navigating friendships and the hardships of everyday life in a working class family in the North of England. With line drawings by award-winning illustrator, Joe Todd-Stanton.
Matt Goodfellow
Matt Goodfellow was born in Withington, Manchester. He was a primary teacher in East Manchester for over 10 years.
Matt visits schools, libraries, conferences and festivals around the UK and beyond, inspiring children and adults to get involved with poetry through his performances and workshops. He's worked with organisations including the Premier League, the National Literacy Trust, BookTrust, National Poetry Day, the Forward Arts Foundation and CLPE.
Matt has written poetry collections for a wide range of age groups. His debut verse novel The Final Year, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, became an instant bestseller and has gone on to win and be shortlisted for many different awards including the CLiPPA, Carnegie, Branford Boase, and the FCBG Children's Book Award.
More by Matt Goodfellow
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