Six Weeks
by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
Interest age: 10 to 14
Reading age: 10+
Published by Starboard, 2026
About this book
At the end of Year 8, Alfie has a long summer ahead of him. His mates have drifted away in the last year because it's tricky to know what to say to someone whose mum has just died. His dad's busy with his new wife and baby. He hasn't seen his step-dad, referred to as him, since the funeral the previous year. And his grandma hasn't contacted him. So Alfie gets on his bike and rides and rides and rides. Up and down the hills around Sheffield. But then a broken pedal means that he has to connect with someone who also loved his mum . . .
This novel, beautifully written in verse, will break your heart and then heal it again. Alfie finds a way to move through his hurt and anger (and behaves in a more mature way than many of the adults!). The story shows how being in nature - getting out and about - can help you process difficult feelings and start to heal. It's about how communication is vital within families. Forgiveness also. And it's about realising that sometimes you can be wrong about someone, or in a decision you've made. All of this is conveyed as part of an incredibly moving narrative, with fabulous black-and-white illustrations providing atmosphere and emotion. Another tour-de-force from the creators of The Final Year and The First Year. Wonderful.
About the author
More books like this
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The Final Year
by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
9 to 14 years
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The First Year
by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
9 to 14 years
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Bright Bursts of Colour
by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff
5 to 14 years
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Let’s Chase Stars Together: Poems to Lose Yourself In
by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Oriol Vidal
9 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Books about grief and loss for 9 to 12 year olds
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Books about grief and loss for teens
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Books set in the North of England
Northern England is rich in landscape, culture and history – and that has inspired some incredible stories. If you live in or are from the North (or just going for your holidays), you may be looking for books set there to share with your child. After all, a familiar location can help them relate to the story and feel a bigger connection. Here are just a few of our favourites for you to check out.