11 books about navigating school and complicated families for fans of The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, was a runaway hit after its publication in September 2023. It follows the journey of a boy named Nate as he navigates the ups and downs of his final year of primary school. Facing challenges at home and school, Nate grapples with friendships, self-doubt, and the pressures of growing up while finding solace in poetry.

A former primary school teacher, Matt is an award-winning poet and this was his first novel, told entirely in verse. Through Nate’s story we explore the emotional intensity of change, resilience and the power of self-expression. Joe’s simple but powerful illustrations add further layers to the story and help make it even more accessible to young readers.

The Final Year has garnered significant acclaim since its release, notably winning the 2024 CLiPPA (CLPE Children's Poetry Award) and being shortlisted for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Writing (the winner will be announced in June 2025!)

So first things first, if you haven’t yet read The Final Year we implore you to grab a copy now!

Excitingly, The First Year, which continues Nate’s story as he navigates the first year of secondary school, is publishing on 10th April 2025. Pre-order your copy here.

But that’s almost a month away, so we thought it might be valuable to share some more reading recommendations that touch on similar themes…

Books about navigating Year 6 of primary school

The After School Crime Club

Willow has always felt like an outsider at school, but she and her Nanna were so alike that she never felt alone. Now Nanna is gone and Willow is adrift. So when a group of girls offer her friendship in exchange for "fun" stealing dares, Willow can't say no. But as the dares escalate, she has to ask herself: How far will she go to fit in?

Nina Peanut is Amazing

This is a hilarious and highly illustrated story of friendship, big dreams and brilliant pets. Nina dreams about being as popular as class queen bee Megan Dunne but when her cat Les features in a viral video she suddenly becomes internet famous. But is overnight stardom as wonderful as Nina always imagined it would be?

 

Books about Year 7 and the transition to secondary school

Quiet Storm

Storm has never liked to stand out from the crowd, but ever since she started Year 7, her life has been full of people telling her she needs to speak up, make friends and be more like her popular big brother. When she finds herself the new star of the athletics team she's thrust into the spotlight and her home life and friendships start spiralling out of control.

Best Friends Forever

Lola and Evie have been BFF since they were babies, just like peas in a pod - and even though they don't end up in the same class, Lola expects everything to stay the same when they move to secondary school. So when the annoying Cleo becomes friendly with Evie, stealing her from Lola, three most definitely becomes a crowd - Lola must learn that not all change is bad...

Stitched Up

Cassie has always had a passion for fashion ― she loves finding quirky vintage looks from history. But when she starts Silverdale High School and becomes fast friends with label-obsessed Azra, she quickly realises that to fit in, she'll have to worry about what people are wearing now. So when she, Az and eco-warrior Fern are drafted to redesign the school uniform, Cassie's caught between her real love of fashion and keeping up appearances.

Books exploring complex family situations

The Boy in the Suit

Ten-year-old Solo just wants to be normal. He wants a name that doesn't stand out. He wishes he had a proper school uniform that fitted him. He dreams about a mum who doesn't get the Big Bad Reds. But most of all he longs to stop crashing funerals for the free food. When he and his mum crash the funeral of a celebrity and get caught, the press are there to witness their humiliation - life may never been normal again.

The Double Life of Ted Amos

Ted has always wanted to be a popular kid, but due to an embarrassing incident that will not be named, he finds it harder than ever to fit in. But when Ted's parents split up, his whole life changes. Although leaving his best friend Archie behind sucks, Ted is about to discover that staying with his dad might have its perks. Because with a new start, is the chance to re-invent yourself...

Just Like Everyone Else

Thirteen-year-old Aidan can't breathe in his crowded family home. Running is his only respite from four loud sisters and involved, touchy-feely parents. Then his mum makes an announcement: she's having another baby. Only, this time it's not for her; she will be a surrogate for gay couple Justin and Atif. As if his family wasn't embarrassing - or big - enough already...

Feather

Huw always pops in to see his nan on the way home from school – she bakes him cakes and never fusses about his homework. So it’s a great shock when, one day, Nan forgets his name, and calls him Johnny – the long-unmentionable name of her late brother. As Nan slowly slips into the grip of dementia, Huw and his friends go on a quest to learn more about Johnny and what happened to him.

Fallout

Marcus has one brother in a youth offender centre and the other is working with their dad on plans for their next theft. Everyone assumes Marcus will follow in their footsteps, but he has other ideas, different hopes.

 

Diet Soda Club

Reed Beckett’s little sister, Beatrice, has never been awakened by the smell of breakfast or a school-day alarm clock. Instead, she wakes to hospital beeps and poking doctors. And now, their mother has gone. With no job prospects on the horizon, Reed begins making and selling fake IDs so he and Bea can survive. But what choice does he have?

We sent this fantastic book to our Macaw subscribers in February 2025 and produced a fun-filled activity pack to accompany it.

 

You may also be interested to read Loved The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow? Check out these fantastic verse novels.