What This Book Is About
Nate is ten years old, and this is his last year at primary school. It should be a year of lasts and firsts—the last sports day, the first taste of independence, the bittersweet goodbye to childhood friends. But Nate's life doesn't look like everyone else's. His family is struggling with money, his mum is barely holding things together, and the older kids at school have decided he's an easy target. Written entirely in free verse, each poem is a snapshot of Nate's world—fierce, funny, heartbreaking, and fiercely alive.
Matt Goodfellow is a former primary school teacher from Manchester, and his understanding of what it feels like to be a child navigating hardship is extraordinary. The Final Year won the 2024 CLiPPA (the UK's most prestigious children's poetry award) and has been called "the best verse novel for children in a decade." With gorgeous illustrations by Joe Todd-Stanton woven between the poems, this is a book that proves poetry can be the most powerful way to tell a story—especially when that story belongs to a kid who feels like nobody is listening.
Available at Kinokuniya, Book Depository, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
Verse novels are increasingly valued in international school curricula because they teach students to read with precision—every word in a poem carries weight, and there's nowhere for a reader's attention to hide. For students at UWC, where close reading and analytical writing are central skills, The Final Year provides a natural bridge between poetry and longer prose, training students to notice word choice, rhythm, and imagery.
The UK-set story also introduces students to a perspective rarely represented in Asian international schools: working-class Britain. Nate's struggles with bullying, family financial stress, and the pressure of growing up are universal, but the specific setting opens conversations about socioeconomic diversity—a dimension of international-mindedness that UWC actively promotes. The book shows students that empathy is not only about crossing borders but also about understanding lives lived differently within the same country.
Reading Level Guide
Too challenging at A1. The verse format uses compact, poetic language. Try picture books or early readers first.
Sweet spot. The short poems and plenty of white space make each page feel manageable, even for A2 readers. B1 readers will appreciate the emotional depth.
A fast, moving read at B2. Try October October or We Are Wolves for more narrative complexity.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free 30-minute English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.