The First Year

Nate is about to start secondary school. After a challenging final year at Primary, things seem to have settled for him and he is ready for a fun-filled summer before a fresh start in September. However, a new school brings new challenges- and some old. Avoiding Turner, conforming to endless rules and adapting to new teachers combined with a growing sense of distance between Nate and his brothers combine to unsettle him. And then, there’s a surprise reappearance in his life…

Writing the sequel to an incredibly popular book must be a daunting task. Reading such a sequel is hard enough- will the character maintain their personality? will they grow? will the plot be engaging or contrived? And most importantly, will it leave you with the same sense of awe and wonder as the first?

‘The Final Year’ made a huge impact on me - and on many children and adults who I have had the joy of discussing it with. In Nate, Matt managed to capture the very essence of many children I have taught over the years and really give them a voice. His extraordinary ability to do this continues in ‘The First Year’.

Starting secondary school is a massive change for children. Primary schools offer a far more secure, comforting environment, even for those who struggle with it, than the impersonal, large scale nature of secondary schools. For those already vulnerable and adrift, this can be completely overwhelming. Nate’s bond with Mr Joshua, the pull of the familiarity of his old school, the fact that his brothers are still there all combine to emphasise Nate’s sense of growing disaffection with his new school where he feels he is being labelled and judged. There is no empathy, no consideration for the turbulent emotions and confusion which might be colouring an individual’s life- and behaviour.

The seeming simplicity of the text belies the complexity of emotion and experience which the story explores. The power and poignancy in places is breath taking, making Nate’s continued story ever bit as engaging as it was in ‘The Final Year’. There is no doubting the skill of Matt’s writing- ‘The First Year’ is sure to gain just as many well deserved accolades as ‘the Final Year’.

The First Year

Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton

Otter Barry Books ISBN: 978-1915659606

You can read my review of ‘The Final Year’ here.

The Tree that Sang to Me

Since his older sister, Jen, left home, Kai has been struggling. Believing it all to be his fault, he can’t stop compulsively tugging at his hair, leaving sore patches, and his parents, consumed by their own feelings, seem unaware of his emotional turmoil. Life at home and at school feels impossible, so he seeks solace in the branches of a tree on a patch of wasteland where he feels he belongs. Here, he meets Sky, a girl with brown hair that hangs in her eyes, wearing bright blue Docs covered in tiny yellow flowers and an unexpected and healing friendship develops…

Of the many, many books I read, I can only review a selection and sometimes, I miss some which I have really enjoyed. Serena Molloy’s first book, ‘Wider than the Sea’ is one of these so I was determined to review ‘The Tree that Sang to Me’ which tempted me the moment I saw its beautiful cover by George Ermos.

As a great poetry lover, I expect a great deal from a novel told in verse! In ‘The Tree that Sang to Me’, Serena Molloy has created something very special, telling Kai’s heart wrenching story with great compassion and care, allowing the reader to understand and empathise with his feelings as they unfold. He tries so hard to be a ‘better’ version of himself to gain his parents’ attention, desperate for them to notice him whilst carrying the guilt of his ‘secret’. He is sure that it is his fault that his sister is not living at home (I will say no more about this so as not to spoil the story!) and is sure that she hates him.

Whilst carrying his burden of guilt and feelings of loneliness at home, Kai also has to navigate some unpleasant bullies at school. When his mother shaves his head due to his trichotillomania, Josh and the other boys call him ‘Buzz’, but Kai feels this is better than the mean words they hurl at Caleb, another boy in their class, who is the main focus for their spite. Kai’s confused feelings towards Caleb are sensitively captured as he (Kai) struggles with wishing to stand up for Caleb and feelings of self-preservation and guilt as he is relieved the negative attention isn’t focused on him. There is so much to think about and discuss here.

Sadly, there are many children who will identify with Kai in one, or indeed, both of these situations and his story may help them to navigate their own difficulties. Full of hope, the healing power of nature love and friendship, the story is ultimately up-lifting and affirming. It is such a joy to see a sympathetic portrayal of a teacher as well- Mr P encourages Kai to explore his feelings, causing Kai to utter ‘I don’t think someone has to die to make you feel like that’, a moment in the story which had me sobbing! I also love the way Jen introduces Kai to the story of ‘The Children of Lir’- ‘the thing with stories….sometimes just sometimes there’s bits of truth buried way down deep in them.’

Perfect for sharing as a class story, there is so much to recommend this lovely verse novel which would make a brilliant starting point, not only for much discussion, but also for encouraging children to express their own feelings in poetic form. Oh- and if you haven’t read ‘Wider than the Sea’, you really should read that too!

The Tree that Sang to Me

Serena Molloy

Hodder ISBN: 978-1444968439

The Final Year

As Nate heads into his final year of primary school, he is ready for anything with his best friend, PS, by his side. However, they are put into different classes and PS develops a friendship with Turner, the school bully, leaving Nate struggling to make sense of things. When his youngest brother, Dylan, is rushed into hospital, Nate feels as if his life is spiralling out of control and his anger is rising.

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.

Nate could be one of any number of boys - or girls- who I have taught. His homelife, though loving, is chaotic. He and his two brothers have different fathers and, as the oldest, Nate carries plenty of the responsibility for caring for them. He has had support to control his anger- The Beast- which overcomes him at times and he has developed a range of techniques to help with this yet still it lurks within him. He is sensitive and caring, a loyal friend, a loving son and brother. Matt has captured all of this with great skill, creating a very recognisable ‘real’ character who inspires empathy in the reader. Where some other writers might come across as patronising, Matt’s portrayal shows genuine understanding and compassion.

School and teachers are often condemned in stories, reduced to stereotypes and showing the system at its worst. Here, Nate’s teacher, Mr Joshua, is shown as a more rounded figure. He only gets cross when he needs to, sings all the time and notices Nate when he (Nate) needs to feel seen, nurturing his love of reading and words, offering him an outlet for his emotions. Mr Joshua (like many of us) tells his class there are more important things in life than SATs, that they should just do their best, and when Nate needs him, is right there. It is a thoughtful portrayal of a caring teacher, striving to do their best for their class and I am sure Matt has drawn on his personal experience to create this.

Told in the present tense, the story feels even more authentic because dialect has been used consistently and accurately throughout. This is Nate’s voice and you can almost feel the places he breathes whilst he tells you his story. In places, his pain is so raw, so real, all captured by Matt’s beautiful words.

‘The Final Year’ is illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton and the proof copy I have read shows a mixture of finished pieces and rough artwork for the story. These draw perfectly on the emotions of the text, capturing Nate’s feelings as he navigates his final year at primary. I can’t wait to see the joy of a finished copy!

There are a million more things which I could say about this incredible book- the skilful use of ‘Skellig’, the carefully observed friendship spilt, the essential role of libraries, the sensitive portrayal of Nate’s mum, the ending… 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.

The Final Year

Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton

Otter-Barry Books ISBN: 978-1915659040

Out on the 7th September 2023

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them)

Twelve year old Nyla lives with her mum and her grandma. Grandma Farida sometimes goes ‘time-travelling’ due to her Alzheimer’s and with mum working two jobs, much of the caring falls to Nyla, but this is a house full of love so she doesn’t mind. Nyla has been told that her dad died when she was 4, but when her grandma insists she saw him at the supermarket, Nyla is left wondering whether this is Grandma’s ‘magic memory’ or whether there are secrets to be uncovered. As she tries to find the truth about her family, Nyla learns much about herself as the past catches up with the present.

Told in verse, this is such a powerful, emotive story. Nyla is a delightful character whose relationship with her grandmother is captured with such warmth and love. As with many children, Nyla plays a key role as carer, willingly looking after her grandmother whilst her mother has to work. Her love for the person her grandmother was, and is, shines through, creating some deeply poignant moments, encouraging empathy for their situation.

Nyla finds herself on a quest to find out about her father, partly due to the promise she makes to Grandma Farida and partly due to her own desire to discover more about who she is. She is supported in her search by her best friend, Jess, who has no filter and although very dear to Nyla and her family, can overstep boundaries and speak without thinking, highlighting how even the best intentioned people can make thoughtless, clumsy comments which are hurtful. Nyla also has to deal with the overtly offensive behaviour of Harry, another pupil at her school, who seems to single her out and target her for his bullying.

The story works so well as a verse novel, sensitively exploring Nyla’s emotions as events unfold. I don’t want to say too much more about the plot for fear of giving things away for those who have not read it yet- and I do recommend that everyone does! It is truly captivating!

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them)

Nadine Aisha Jassat, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Orion ISBN: 978-1510111578

Blog Tour: The Way of Dog

I am delighted to be part of the Blog Tour for this very special book. It is one which I will not forget in a hurry- and am sure to read again soon.

Be strong. Be fierce. Life is more than a concrete floor.

Born in a harsh, grey world, a pup is taken from his mother and locked in a cage with the rest of the litter. As the others are chosen, he yearns to belong to a family, but finds himself alone until he meets a manpup who shows him affection- and gives him a name, ‘Scruffity’. Set free from his cage by this boy who is as unloved as he is, the two run away together and Scruffity gains a taste of both love and freedom…until tragedy strikes.

Told in verse, this is a deeply poignant and utterly beautiful novel. From the opening page, it completely absorbs the reader in Scruffity’s story, shocking them with the callous, casual cruelty of the ‘Shoe-legs’ whose only interest in the dogs is financial gain. The innocent, optimistic, loving nature of this young pup serves only to underline the neglect and the use of verse cleverly frames his thoughts, capturing them in a way which prose would not have done.

Scruffity’s devotion to ‘MyManpup’ (as he calls his boy) and delight in the world outside the cage, his curiosity and excitement are captured perfectly, allowing the reader to share each new discovery about ‘the way of dog’ which Scruffity makes. His loyalty to the humans he meets along his way- the boy who befriends him, OldOne, the little girls, LilaMay and Pippa and their mother, and CharlieMan- is testament to the trusting, faithful nature of dogs and their longing for companionship.

The story also highlights the plight of humans who have been victims of human cruelty. Seen through Scruffity’s eyes, their stories unfold to the reader, the cruelty and neglect shown to them as incomprehensible as that shown to Scruffity. There is so much to discuss here- so much to develop empathy as the loyal true heart of a dog helps others to heal. The ending is just perfect- if requiring a whole box of tissues!

The text is punctuated in places with gorgeous illustrations which are as atmospheric as the verse. Scruffity is beautifully shown in his happiest and darkest moments with shadowy human shapes emphasising the threat they pose.

I am not ashamed to say that I cried many times as I read this story. Zana Fraillon is well known for her powerful writing and tackling ‘difficult’ subjects. ‘The Ones that Disappeared’ almost finished me completely, but the beauty of her writing and the poignancy with which she handles the subject matter are unquestionable. ‘The Way of Dog’ is an outstanding book, a story of love and hope, a story of cruelty and compassion- a masterpiece.

The Way of Dog Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Sean Buckingham

Chicken House ISBN: 978-1915026231

You can read my review of ‘Wisp’ here.