{"product_id":"the-final-year-the-first-year-2-book-set-by-matt-goodfellow-paperback-matt-goodfellow","title":"Final Year by Matt Goodfellow 2 Books Collection Set - Ages 9–11 - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Final Year\u003cbr\u003e\nThe First Year\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis two-book collection by Matt Goodfellow follows Nate through pivotal years in his school journey, offering warm, authentic middle-grade stories about friendship, family, and growing up. The Final Year and The First Year explore the emotional ripples of moving from primary to secondary school, balancing exams with friendships, and navigating the changes that come with growing independence. The Final Year is a CLiPPA-winning title that delves into Nate’s last term of primary school, where tests, new classes, and shifting loyalties test his resolve. The book also includes an excerpt from The First Year, weaving a seamless reading arc and inviting readers to revisit Nate’s early challenges as he continues to chart his path forward. Between moments of humor and heart, these two novels illuminate resilience, courage, and the shelter of family and community when life feels overwhelming. This collection is tailored for ages 9–11 and makes a compelling gift set for young readers who love contemporary, character-driven fiction with real emotional stakes.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Collection Covers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAcross The First Year and The Final Year, Nate’s world unfolds with honesty and warmth. The collection centers on transition—moving from primary to secondary school, adjusting to new teachers, and negotiating changing friendships—while keeping the emphasis on family bonds and personal growth. Readers will witness Nate’s determination to stay connected with his brothers and the comforting routines that anchor him during uncertain times. The stories tackle anger management through the lens of everyday life, showing how Nate learns to channel his energy into reading and writing, supported by teachers who recognize his strengths. The two books together create a coherent, experience-led journey: from the hopeful beginnings of a fresh start to the pressure-cooker realities of the final year, all delivered with accessible language, relatable situations, and moments of genuine triumph that reward perseverance and empathy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook-by-Book Guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Final Year\u003c\/strong\u003e In this climactic installment, Nate confronts the pressures of his last year of primary school: exams looming on the horizon, preparations for the move to high school, and the nagging fear that his best friend PS may drift away as they land in different classes. When PS forms a new friendship with Turner, the school bully, Nate’s sense of stability is shaken and his world feels suddenly fragile. Compounding the strain, his youngest brother Dylan is rushed into hospital, testing the strength of Nate’s family ties. A new teacher, Mr Joshua, recognizes Nate’s spark for reading and writing and guides him to channel those abilities to process what’s happening. Yet anger and worry rise, challenging his resolve to stay steady for those he loves and to keep his family close. The Final Year is a tender, gripping portrait of a boy learning to navigate difficult emotions while growing into his own power as a reader and a friend.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe First Year\u003c\/strong\u003e Eleven-year-old Nate has just finished primary school and stands at the doorway to secondary education. Life feels bright in the wake of a challenging year, with his brother’s heart condition now behind him and a supportive clan of family members who cheer him on. He steps into a new school with two best mates by his side, but the path isn’t without obstacles: a strict new teacher, the occasional pang of isolation from his brothers, and the shadow of Turner, an old adversary. A surprising development enters Nate’s world and threatens to derail his carefully laid plans. The Beast—the anger he’s learned to mask—reappears, testing his self-control and his determination to protect his loved ones. Will Nate find a way to balance new beginnings with the ties that bind his family together?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho This Set Is Perfect For:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis set is ideal for readers aged 9–11 who enjoy grounded, contemporary middle-grade fiction with emotional honesty. Nate’s voice speaks to kids navigating friendship, family dynamics, and school life with humor and heart. It’s also a reliable pick for parents and teachers seeking accessible stories that open doors to meaningful conversations about resilience, empathy, and coping strategies in the face of change. The two-book arc makes it a thoughtful gift for back-to-school occasions, birthdays, or to add a warm, character-driven duo to a classroom library. Fans of realistic adventures, everyday joys, and stories about growth will find plenty to love, bookmark-worthy moments to revisit, and ample material for discussion in book clubs or guided reading sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eTwo interconnected, relatable middle-grade adventures featuring a consistent, compelling narrator.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eRealistic themes of transition, friendship, family, and emotional development.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIncludes an excerpt from The First Year in The Final Year for a seamless reading arc.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCLiPPA-winning status adds credibility and appeal for thoughtful readers.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAccessible paperback edition—great for gifting and classroom use.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEncourages resilience, self-regulation, and constructive coping strategies.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePerfect for gifting as a complete set that builds a lasting reading habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMatt Goodfellow is the author behind The Final Year and The First Year, two title-length explorations of childhood growth, friendship, and family. His work for middle-grade readers blends humor with heartfelt moments, delivering authentic voices and situations that resonate with children’s lived experiences. The Final Year has earned recognition with the CLiPPA award, underscoring Goodfellow’s skill at crafting accessible, emotionally resonant stories that young readers can relate to and discuss. Through Nate’s journey, Goodfellow demonstrates how reading and writing can become powerful tools for understanding oneself and navigating challenging moments. His approachable style invites readers to root for Nate, learn from his wins, and reflect on their own experiences in school and at home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You’ll Love This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOwning The Final Year and The First Year as a complete set offers readers a cohesive, immersive experience with a beloved protagonist. The two novels complement each other, creating a confident arc about growth, resilience, and the enduring power of family support. The accessible prose, authentic dialogue, and relatable school-life scenarios make this collection ideal for independent reading or guided discussions in classrooms and book clubs. It’s a thoughtful gift set for families seeking uplifting, meaningful stories that validate everyday feelings while celebrating moments of courage and connection in young readers’ lives.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Matt Goodfellow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56913887658358,"sku":"MAN-VRT-U2407-0572160461","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/6587\/2211\/files\/71LrE-z0R8L.jpg?v=1766050397","url":"https:\/\/skymartbooks.com\/products\/the-final-year-the-first-year-2-book-set-by-matt-goodfellow-paperback-matt-goodfellow","provider":"Skymart Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}