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.
