The Final Year
This is just a wonderful book which gave me a lump in my throat and ultimately a feeling of hope. Matt Goodfellow manages to capture what it is like when the carpet begins to move uncontrollably beneath your feet, how it can make you react and who might be there to pick you up when you fall. I loved Nate's mum and 'Auntie' San, even with all their flaws, as I felt they were highly relatable to many. The home may be chaotic but it is full of love and this story shows how family isn't always just your blood family. Nate has a best friend, Parker, who he has known since nursery, two brothers and an absent father. In the mix we also have Mr Joshua, a new year 6 teacher, who has taken the time to understand the children entering his classroom. I loved him just because he notices things, but there is so much more too. He plays guitar, he puts on Bob Marley, he writes poetry, the mums all blush and giggle when they see him and, most importantly, he only gets cross when he needs to. I also appreciated the brief appearance of librarian, Karen, who works in the public library where Nate spends a lot of his summer holiday. She, too, is a noticer. She encourages Nate to keep reading and so he spends much of his time in the school library (which is sadly but realistically without a librarian) and starts to enjoy poetry. All these positive interactions help Nate to control what he calls The Beast, the anger that he has worked so hard to control. I won't spoil the book by explaining what causes the beast to return but it is an emotional book which made me cry repeatedly and for many different reasons. Sometimes from sadness, other times from happiness and hope. Since reading this book I have recommended it to anyone who works with children, to parents who are transitioning children to a new school or class, and to children who struggle with anxiety - or not. I think it is a must read.

Donna