The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow is an honest look at life in Year 6 – the final year before everything changes. Uniquely lyrical, 10 year old Nate shares the challenges of family, friendships, dealing with your inner beast and the threat of great loss. This book is as much an important read for teachers as it is for children – reminding us all that we must always consider what’s going on beneath the surface. Children need care, consideration, patience and adults who will get alongside them to help them through the wilderness of life.
Fortunately for Nate, he has his new teacher, Mr Joshua, by his side who believes in him and is upfront about how to find his way in even in the toughest times. Mr Joshua is a testament to the difference a good teacher can make.
Life would be so much easier if only Nate and his best friend PS had been put in the same Year 6 class. Their separation leaves Nate feeling lost and angry. Seeing PS develop a friendship with his enemy makes things even worse.
Nate’s home life is key to this story. Mum does her best but spends a lot of time at BINGO leaving Nate to care for his younger brothers. There is a lot of love to go around but many struggles too. When Nate’s little brother becomes seriously ill, his world is rocked even more.
The use of language, character voice and powerful symbolism in The Final Year creates an accessible story children will really hear. Sharing this in class provides opportunities to explore the ideas of being lost in the wilderness and the importance of finding your own way out, the strength of an inner beast and how to control it, and the significance of wings throughout the story. References to David Almond’s Skellig will prompt readers to think further about themes of transformation and strength.
Expression through art and poetry by two boys who are beginning to find themselves is so refreshing and shows the value of creativity and sharing feelings – “Man, the things people can do with a pen.” The Final Year is sure to inspire those who, like Nate, may have never experimented with doodling or poetry but for whom it might be exactly what they need.
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Preorder Fiction & Poetry / Non-fiction for Year Two on the links below:
Fiction & Poetry:
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Scope for Imagination 