The First Year: A Moving Verse Novel Sequel

Continue the compelling journey of Nate in The First Year, the highly anticipated sequel to the CLiPPA Award-winning poetry novel, The Final Year. This powerful verse novel follows Nate as he navigates the transition from Primary School to Secondary School, dealing with new challenges, old nemeses, and the reappearance of inner turmoil.

• Sequel to the bestselling and multi-award winning The Final Year.
• Told in verse, exploring themes of family, friendship, and anger management.
• Features protagonist Nate as he enters Secondary School (Year 7).
• Written by Matt Goodfellow, with illustrations by Joe Todd-Stanton.
• Authentic and moving narrative praised by David Almond.

Nate is eleven and starting Secondary School with his two best friends after a challenging final year of Primary School. While he tries to settle in, avoid his old nemesis Turner, and adjust to a strict new teacher, a sudden surprise threatens to derail his progress. Nate must confront 'The Beast'—the anger he struggles to control—and fight to keep himself and his family together.

• Author: Matt Goodfellow
• Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: Standard Edition
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 10 April 2025
• Reading Age: 9 years and up
• Print Length: 480 pages
• Dimensions: 129 x 34 x 198mm
• Weight: 380 g
• ISBN-13: 978-1915659606

Perfect for readers aged 11+ (KS3), this verse novel continues the acclaimed story of resilience and growth.