A review by rhonaea
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow

5.0

This book is a very special one - not because it was 5star, not because it was book 100 of 2023 and not because it was the one which achieved my Reading Challenge. No. This book is very special because it’s a carefully crafted message for children and young people about finding yourself in the darkness. It resonates with all of us and seems especially appropriate as I started reading it on World Mental Health Day. How many of us have strong and stable resources to rely on when life starts to get tough - approaching transition to the next stage in education, the pressure of testing, - we rely on our friends and our family, and all the things we’ve been taught that keep us safe in our homes and communities. But then, that best friend just isn’t there for you and a serious family illness takes away the sole parent, as well as threatening the life of a much loved little brother.
The power of the words and illustrations make this a mighty tome. One to be gifted by the Mr Joshuas of this world, and every little things gonna be alright.