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Six Weeks
The hotly anticipated new book from award-winning poet Matt Goodfellow, author of bestselling The Final Year. Meet Alfie Piper, embarking on a summer he'll never forget ...
Alfie Piper has six weeks of summer - and nothing left to lose.
Since his mum died, Alfie's world has unravelled. The silence between him and his stepdad roars louder than ever.
So he does the only thing that makes grabs his bike, and rides.
In these long summer days, can Alfie rebuild what was broken?
Compulsively readable and relatable, this is a story of grief, and light, and family. From Matt Goodfellow, winner of the CLiPPA Award - with breathtaking illustrations from Joe Todd-Stanton.
Alfie Piper has six weeks of summer - and nothing left to lose.
Since his mum died, Alfie's world has unravelled. The silence between him and his stepdad roars louder than ever.
So he does the only thing that makes grabs his bike, and rides.
In these long summer days, can Alfie rebuild what was broken?
Compulsively readable and relatable, this is a story of grief, and light, and family. From Matt Goodfellow, winner of the CLiPPA Award - with breathtaking illustrations from Joe Todd-Stanton.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
Matt Goodfellow
20 books41 followersMatt Goodfellow was a primary school teacher for more than ten years before becoming a full-time poet and author. Shu Lin’s Grandpa is his first book with Candlewick Press. He lives with his wife and children in Manchester, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 26, 2026
He’s absolutely done it again! I smiled, cried, cried a bit more…Matt Goodfellow is one of those authors who will always have a spot in my book corner (and heart).
An entirely separate work from The Final & First Year, Six Weeks is about a lad called Alfie Piper and his journey through the British summer holidays. It’s a year since his mum died, and he’s trying to navigate his own feelings about that, and about his stepdad. He takes to cycling, until one day his ride takes him somewhere entirely unexpected.
This is a novel about grief, loss, acceptance, complex familial relationships but - most of all - it is about hope, healing and unconditional love. Read it, please.
An entirely separate work from The Final & First Year, Six Weeks is about a lad called Alfie Piper and his journey through the British summer holidays. It’s a year since his mum died, and he’s trying to navigate his own feelings about that, and about his stepdad. He takes to cycling, until one day his ride takes him somewhere entirely unexpected.
This is a novel about grief, loss, acceptance, complex familial relationships but - most of all - it is about hope, healing and unconditional love. Read it, please.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2026
A sweet book. Made even better by it being set in Sheffield and Alfie wearing a blue and white striped shirt on the cover 😊
June 13, 2026
Matt Goodfellow can do no wrong
June 22, 2026
A YA free verse about the death of a parent and grief.
Alfies mum died last summer, and he has spent the year floundering. It's the start of a new summer holidays and the six weeks stretch out before him.
This book is about those six weeks about how Alfie discovers more about his mum, about his mums partner, and in turn how to navigate life without her.
This was a powerful read. It was more hopeful than sad, although there were poignant moments too.
Alfies mum died last summer, and he has spent the year floundering. It's the start of a new summer holidays and the six weeks stretch out before him.
This book is about those six weeks about how Alfie discovers more about his mum, about his mums partner, and in turn how to navigate life without her.
This was a powerful read. It was more hopeful than sad, although there were poignant moments too.
July 27, 2026
It's quite a long book, 292 pages but I would highly recommend it, definitely a good book to read in the summer and I really liked this book because it shows Alfie Piper's journey back to happiness in so much detail I felt like I was there in every chapter. I would definitely recommend this book and the other books that Matt Goodfellow has writen. I think he is such a great author.
July 4, 2026
Beautiful
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you are familiar with Matt's other work, you will know he brings truth, honesty, vulnerability and raw emotions. He delivers his messages through a main character whose voice feels intimate, realistic and always true to their age. It is not easy to voice a young person and the fact that Matt has a teaching background is evident, as he always treats his protagonists with so much care and respect. In this regard, Alfie, is no exception.
Six Weeks is about bereavement and grief. Goodfellow explores these ideas through Alfie's eyes, who within a couple of weeks goes from finding out his mother is terminally ill to actually losing her. The title refers to six weeks of summer, a year later, where the dust seems to finally settle. I am incredibly lucky to still have my mother in my life, but this reading experience was truly visceral and it left me reflecting on the impact of such a tragic loss at such an impressionable young age (or any age, really). The exploration of how everyone experiences this loss differently (the son, the ex-husband and his new wife, the partner, the grandmother etc.) is very skillfully done. The journey that Alfie is on, processing his own feelings whilst slowly opening up and developing his understanding of how everyone else have been experiencing this loss, re-building and reconnecting with the people linked to his mother and how differently this might look for everyone, will pull at your heartstrings and will cut you open and leave you raw. I loved Alfie, I felt his pain, his sorrow and how alone in his grief he was. Him reconnecting with his mother's partner was heartwarming and necessary and even though the subject material is so heavy, I was left with so much hope for his future. It was truly beautifully done and I think many readers will feel seen reading this.
Easiest 5 stars. Children, young readers (and actually all of us!) are incredibly lucky to live at a time where Matt Goodfellow is sharing his stories with the world. My children are a bit too young for his books, but I am slowly building our collection to be ready when they are old enough. As a librarian, I will put his books in front of every 12+ year old. He has made poetry 'cool' and he is consistently demonstrating the magic and unique reading experience verse novels offer to the reader. Besides the fact that they are a quick read and, therefore accessible to the reluctant reader, they also allow for so much agency, as the fluff is discarded and we're left with the true essence of what lies in the heart of the storyteller. Every word feels deliberate and intentional. Joe Todd-Stanton's illustrations are stunning and enhance the storytelling, as always.
Thank you to Matt Goodfellow, Hachette Children's Group | Starboard and NetGalley for this review copy, all opinions are my own.
Six Weeks is about bereavement and grief. Goodfellow explores these ideas through Alfie's eyes, who within a couple of weeks goes from finding out his mother is terminally ill to actually losing her. The title refers to six weeks of summer, a year later, where the dust seems to finally settle. I am incredibly lucky to still have my mother in my life, but this reading experience was truly visceral and it left me reflecting on the impact of such a tragic loss at such an impressionable young age (or any age, really). The exploration of how everyone experiences this loss differently (the son, the ex-husband and his new wife, the partner, the grandmother etc.) is very skillfully done. The journey that Alfie is on, processing his own feelings whilst slowly opening up and developing his understanding of how everyone else have been experiencing this loss, re-building and reconnecting with the people linked to his mother and how differently this might look for everyone, will pull at your heartstrings and will cut you open and leave you raw. I loved Alfie, I felt his pain, his sorrow and how alone in his grief he was. Him reconnecting with his mother's partner was heartwarming and necessary and even though the subject material is so heavy, I was left with so much hope for his future. It was truly beautifully done and I think many readers will feel seen reading this.
Easiest 5 stars. Children, young readers (and actually all of us!) are incredibly lucky to live at a time where Matt Goodfellow is sharing his stories with the world. My children are a bit too young for his books, but I am slowly building our collection to be ready when they are old enough. As a librarian, I will put his books in front of every 12+ year old. He has made poetry 'cool' and he is consistently demonstrating the magic and unique reading experience verse novels offer to the reader. Besides the fact that they are a quick read and, therefore accessible to the reluctant reader, they also allow for so much agency, as the fluff is discarded and we're left with the true essence of what lies in the heart of the storyteller. Every word feels deliberate and intentional. Joe Todd-Stanton's illustrations are stunning and enhance the storytelling, as always.
Thank you to Matt Goodfellow, Hachette Children's Group | Starboard and NetGalley for this review copy, all opinions are my own.
July 27, 2026
The first thing this does is show you the power of the epigraph – the dedications here are the first indication that this will be about grief and loss. But the deft prologue following soon shows us Alfie's situation – his father, and his new partner, whom he lives with, have a babe-in-arms, and his mother has passed on. Alfie is full of bitterness about that, and the fact that her new partner was an unlikeable step-dad, and was there at the passing while Alfie wasn't. The death has caused two fractured families to be more fractious, or to ignore each other more. So we, certainly as adults, know what has to happen. Alfie has to get back to a state of like with his mother's chosen partner…
And that probably won't be easy, what with the man's pronouns being on the page, when mentioned, in dark, unwelcoming bold font. And you start this with sympathies against HIM, proving that come the end you have been on a right journey.
And it's a really rich journey, make no mistake – so often novels-in-verse are short stories with fancier dressing. This is short enough for the audio to have once been on two CDs (ask your nan), but packs it all in. The freedom of open country as opposed to the grime of the city, the difficulty in moving on, the sustained presence of the deceased, and of their parting wishes…
And it's a right tear-jerker, too. I'd expect this to hit the full three-tissue mark, so be forewarned. And yet it is ultimately bursting with positivity – you'd never willingly read this if it remained a downer. To that positive end, it probably overdoes the cinematic fade-to-white shtick a bit too much, but with this faults are exceedingly minor. It's incredibly well-written, the choice not to have titles for every page or small poemlet as so many novels-in-verse do is perfect, and it's an impactful look at the summer holidays and how a child pieces his future together over the titular six weeks.
Where I'm on less solid ground is to what age this is best targetted. Alfie is thirteen, so the reader would traditionally be, say, eleven up to Alfie's age. This is perfectly PG, but there is of course the death and the resulting pain, and a historical abortion, and the truth that grandmas may not be as perfect as they seem… I'd hate to denigrate anyone, but I'd d say it would be a smart eleven-year-old who gets what they ought to from this.
But what I am firmly able to state is that they will get a perfect narrative. To repeat, us adults know what has to happen for Alfie regarding HIM, but to the intended reader this will not be as obvious from the prologue, and this drama will be a masterful chunk of surprise. It really is a top-notch MG read, that should also hit any adult in the feels, too. My last outstanding, hard-to-delete read was a novel-in-verse, too, and this joins it at rarefied heights.
And that probably won't be easy, what with the man's pronouns being on the page, when mentioned, in dark, unwelcoming bold font. And you start this with sympathies against HIM, proving that come the end you have been on a right journey.
And it's a really rich journey, make no mistake – so often novels-in-verse are short stories with fancier dressing. This is short enough for the audio to have once been on two CDs (ask your nan), but packs it all in. The freedom of open country as opposed to the grime of the city, the difficulty in moving on, the sustained presence of the deceased, and of their parting wishes…
And it's a right tear-jerker, too. I'd expect this to hit the full three-tissue mark, so be forewarned. And yet it is ultimately bursting with positivity – you'd never willingly read this if it remained a downer. To that positive end, it probably overdoes the cinematic fade-to-white shtick a bit too much, but with this faults are exceedingly minor. It's incredibly well-written, the choice not to have titles for every page or small poemlet as so many novels-in-verse do is perfect, and it's an impactful look at the summer holidays and how a child pieces his future together over the titular six weeks.
Where I'm on less solid ground is to what age this is best targetted. Alfie is thirteen, so the reader would traditionally be, say, eleven up to Alfie's age. This is perfectly PG, but there is of course the death and the resulting pain, and a historical abortion, and the truth that grandmas may not be as perfect as they seem… I'd hate to denigrate anyone, but I'd d say it would be a smart eleven-year-old who gets what they ought to from this.
But what I am firmly able to state is that they will get a perfect narrative. To repeat, us adults know what has to happen for Alfie regarding HIM, but to the intended reader this will not be as obvious from the prologue, and this drama will be a masterful chunk of surprise. It really is a top-notch MG read, that should also hit any adult in the feels, too. My last outstanding, hard-to-delete read was a novel-in-verse, too, and this joins it at rarefied heights.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having read The Final Year and The First Year this was a must when it came up on NetGalley.
And Wow! He does it again. You might need tissues.
At the beginning it is August, Alfie Piper is due to start Y8. He doesn't really want to though.
He is at his Dad's with Dad, his wife Sophie and 4 week old baby Alice, who alfie thinks is beautiful.
But he's at Dad's because he lives here now. Because the day before Alice was born his Mum died. She was supposed to be coming home, she was supposed to have months but her body couldn't take it, she died and only He was with her. He had been part of Alfie's life since Alfie was 3. Alfie hated Him and He hated Alfie. Alfie knew his Grandma didn't like Him either and nor did his Aunt Lisa. But he didn't know why and he hasn't seen them either. So now he lives with Dad and Sophie who he likes.
Jump to the following July - a tough year at school where his friends didn't know what to say - and now it's the holidays. 6 Weeks.
Out on his bike Alfie realises something is wrong with the peddle. And he's near His house - Mum's house - he hasn't been there since the funeral.
He is in the driveway. He speaks to Alfie. Alfie loses his composure at the sight of the house, at the sight of Him and screams. He catches Alfie and sits him on the kerb. He talks gently. Alfie runs away without his bike.
But he has to go back - he likes that bike. He is in the drive again. He's fixed the bike. He says He is doing the kitchen just the way she wanted. Alfie just takes the bike and leaves
A week away with Dad, Sophie and Alice gives them lots of time for talk, for questions Alfie had never asked. About Mum, Dad, Grandma, Lisa and Him. Sophie said people change.
And he goes back to His house ....he's back for Mum...
Utterly stunning read. Full of emotion and the difficulties that come in families.
Thanks to Netgalleyuk and Hachette Childrens books for the ecopy.
And Wow! He does it again. You might need tissues.
At the beginning it is August, Alfie Piper is due to start Y8. He doesn't really want to though.
He is at his Dad's with Dad, his wife Sophie and 4 week old baby Alice, who alfie thinks is beautiful.
But he's at Dad's because he lives here now. Because the day before Alice was born his Mum died. She was supposed to be coming home, she was supposed to have months but her body couldn't take it, she died and only He was with her. He had been part of Alfie's life since Alfie was 3. Alfie hated Him and He hated Alfie. Alfie knew his Grandma didn't like Him either and nor did his Aunt Lisa. But he didn't know why and he hasn't seen them either. So now he lives with Dad and Sophie who he likes.
Jump to the following July - a tough year at school where his friends didn't know what to say - and now it's the holidays. 6 Weeks.
Out on his bike Alfie realises something is wrong with the peddle. And he's near His house - Mum's house - he hasn't been there since the funeral.
He is in the driveway. He speaks to Alfie. Alfie loses his composure at the sight of the house, at the sight of Him and screams. He catches Alfie and sits him on the kerb. He talks gently. Alfie runs away without his bike.
But he has to go back - he likes that bike. He is in the drive again. He's fixed the bike. He says He is doing the kitchen just the way she wanted. Alfie just takes the bike and leaves
A week away with Dad, Sophie and Alice gives them lots of time for talk, for questions Alfie had never asked. About Mum, Dad, Grandma, Lisa and Him. Sophie said people change.
And he goes back to His house ....he's back for Mum...
Utterly stunning read. Full of emotion and the difficulties that come in families.
Thanks to Netgalleyuk and Hachette Childrens books for the ecopy.
June 15, 2026
‘Six Weeks’ by Matt Goodfellow is a moving portrayal of a young teen coming to terms with his grief after his mother’s sudden passing; it also deftly explores the complex dynamics between a child and a step-parent, as well as the wider extended family. Although aimed at middle-grade readers, the themes are relevant for all ages, making it an excellent pick for older teens and adults too.
Rather than opting for a traditional prose format, Goodfellow makes effective use of free verse. The lightness of the style balances out the heaviness of the subjects perfectly. It also makes the book a quick read, as some pages contain just a single stanza, line, or word; this layout is ideal for reluctant readers or anyone seeking an impactful story that isn’t visually dense.
The book doesn’t delve deeply into the protagonist’s feelings, but it doesn’t need to in order to achieve the desired emotional impact. Going further might easily have strayed into the maudlin, and resulted in an overwhelming or unpleasant reading experience.
The change in Alfie at the end feels quite sudden and isn’t tied to a specific plot point—there really isn’t much by way of a traditional narrative arc here—yet his evolution feels entirely authentic to his age and circumstances. I imagine the lack of a conventional plot and the suddenness of Alfie’s acceptance might prove unsatisfying for some readers.
I would also note that the references to abortion and mental illness (specifically bipolar depression) might be too vague for a younger audience to get, so they may need an adult to explain these passages to them.
Overall, a beautiful book that captures grief in a way that feels authentic and deeply moving.
⚠️ Death of parent, grief, references to abortion and mental illness
Rather than opting for a traditional prose format, Goodfellow makes effective use of free verse. The lightness of the style balances out the heaviness of the subjects perfectly. It also makes the book a quick read, as some pages contain just a single stanza, line, or word; this layout is ideal for reluctant readers or anyone seeking an impactful story that isn’t visually dense.
The book doesn’t delve deeply into the protagonist’s feelings, but it doesn’t need to in order to achieve the desired emotional impact. Going further might easily have strayed into the maudlin, and resulted in an overwhelming or unpleasant reading experience.
The change in Alfie at the end feels quite sudden and isn’t tied to a specific plot point—there really isn’t much by way of a traditional narrative arc here—yet his evolution feels entirely authentic to his age and circumstances. I imagine the lack of a conventional plot and the suddenness of Alfie’s acceptance might prove unsatisfying for some readers.
I would also note that the references to abortion and mental illness (specifically bipolar depression) might be too vague for a younger audience to get, so they may need an adult to explain these passages to them.
Overall, a beautiful book that captures grief in a way that feels authentic and deeply moving.
⚠️ Death of parent, grief, references to abortion and mental illness
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Six Weeks
By Matt Goodfellow
Published by Hatchet Children’s Group
Matt Goodfellow does it again!
Pure and raw LOVE on every page!
Six Weeks tells the heartbreaking story of Alfie Piper, just an ordinary young lad who has had his heart broken and his world turned upside down.
It is the six weeks of summer, when life should be full of adventures and freedom and friends and fun.
But since Alfie’s mum has died, nothing is the same.
His heart is broken.
His world is empty.
He is lost, alone and full of grief.
Matt Goodfellow tells Alfie’s story - a young lads story of his grief and his family’s grief. The beautifully written verse tells how Alfie finds solace in his bike rides and walking in the great outdoors across the summer holidays.
But it is not just Alfie who is grieving.
Alfie’s dad is hurting and feels lost too. There is no book to guide you and your loss!
Alfie’s stepdad is alone, sad and grieving too.
So when Alfie finds himself standing outside his old home, he realises he needs to make the first move and actually talk.
Can Alfie rebuild his relationships?
Can Alfie turn a corner and learn to cope with his grief?
Can Alfie do it for his mum and himself?
A brilliantly written, easy to access heartfelt story.
It made me cry, sigh and smile - grief is hard. Sadness is real and a lost love is unique to you but always worth talking about.
Thank you Matt for creating something so beautiful when only darkness can be felt.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery
By Matt Goodfellow
Published by Hatchet Children’s Group
Matt Goodfellow does it again!
Pure and raw LOVE on every page!
Six Weeks tells the heartbreaking story of Alfie Piper, just an ordinary young lad who has had his heart broken and his world turned upside down.
It is the six weeks of summer, when life should be full of adventures and freedom and friends and fun.
But since Alfie’s mum has died, nothing is the same.
His heart is broken.
His world is empty.
He is lost, alone and full of grief.
Matt Goodfellow tells Alfie’s story - a young lads story of his grief and his family’s grief. The beautifully written verse tells how Alfie finds solace in his bike rides and walking in the great outdoors across the summer holidays.
But it is not just Alfie who is grieving.
Alfie’s dad is hurting and feels lost too. There is no book to guide you and your loss!
Alfie’s stepdad is alone, sad and grieving too.
So when Alfie finds himself standing outside his old home, he realises he needs to make the first move and actually talk.
Can Alfie rebuild his relationships?
Can Alfie turn a corner and learn to cope with his grief?
Can Alfie do it for his mum and himself?
A brilliantly written, easy to access heartfelt story.
It made me cry, sigh and smile - grief is hard. Sadness is real and a lost love is unique to you but always worth talking about.
Thank you Matt for creating something so beautiful when only darkness can be felt.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2026
A standalone book from the other ones from Matt Goodfellow.
The topic is deep,sadder and quite often not enough spoken about.The book touches the topic of learning about grief,forgiveness,bereavement.Your own-as the book is written from the perspective of a teenage boy who is dealing with a loss of his mothe due to cancer.It also touches on how people around you deal with this.Alfie has his Dad,step Mum,his step sister and Him-Mum's ex-partner.
Being a child and having to lose a mother ,or any parent is hard.Lots of unspoken for words,questions,uninvited looks from strangers,ever so owerhelming emotions that you don't know what to do with,how to say them loud or skip,feelings of loss,emptiness...
Alfie is telling his story in a way of diary-then and now -way.Maneuvering between the day his Mum passed away and things that happen after to the current time-his SIX WEEKS holidays.He's arrived at Dad's,getting to know his new nearly one year old step sister,step Mum.The -now-part is near the first anniversary of his Mum passing-he is trying his best to manage relationshipds with everyone around in house,gran, school mates,and HIM.
He is doing his best in this narrative.His story is full of hope-describing taking chances,learning about stories he didn't know,facts he couldn't understand then but now he has a different perspective on.Best part is HIM-Mum's ex-partner.They both discover each other and meet on the no-one's land to....You must read it to find out.
The topic is deep,sadder and quite often not enough spoken about.The book touches the topic of learning about grief,forgiveness,bereavement.Your own-as the book is written from the perspective of a teenage boy who is dealing with a loss of his mothe due to cancer.It also touches on how people around you deal with this.Alfie has his Dad,step Mum,his step sister and Him-Mum's ex-partner.
Being a child and having to lose a mother ,or any parent is hard.Lots of unspoken for words,questions,uninvited looks from strangers,ever so owerhelming emotions that you don't know what to do with,how to say them loud or skip,feelings of loss,emptiness...
Alfie is telling his story in a way of diary-then and now -way.Maneuvering between the day his Mum passed away and things that happen after to the current time-his SIX WEEKS holidays.He's arrived at Dad's,getting to know his new nearly one year old step sister,step Mum.The -now-part is near the first anniversary of his Mum passing-he is trying his best to manage relationshipds with everyone around in house,gran, school mates,and HIM.
He is doing his best in this narrative.His story is full of hope-describing taking chances,learning about stories he didn't know,facts he couldn't understand then but now he has a different perspective on.Best part is HIM-Mum's ex-partner.They both discover each other and meet on the no-one's land to....You must read it to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
12 year-old Alfie Piper's mum died and after things became really unsteady. Fast forward to the follow July, there are six weeks off school and Alfie is missing his mum. He is trying hard to adapt to his new normal without the 'light in his world'.
Alfie's mum died. My mum died. The words are simple but the emotion around it is anything but.
Sometimes when someone dies, the focus is very much on the person that died and the death. In Six Weeks, it didn't feel like that at all. The focus throughout was Alfie and how he felt before his mum died and after she died. Alfie navigates life after his mum's death pushing away friends who don't know what to say, begin to live with his dad, Sophie and baby Alice, reestablishing his relationship with him. Matt Goodfellow manages to write all the emotion without overloading. He perfectly describes how Alfie's whole world is different and nothing looks the same yet life has continued as normal for his friends who now don't know what to say. Alfie feels alone. And goodness did I feel that? Joe Todd- Stanton's illustrations were perfect alongside Alfie's story. I also loved the tribute at the beginning, which caught me before I'd met Alfie.
Reading Six Weeks was an emotional journey in which I faced things I had locked away in my heart. It is a book that should be on every bookshelf. It is beautiful, honest and raw. Thank you, Matt.
Alfie's mum died. My mum died. The words are simple but the emotion around it is anything but.
Sometimes when someone dies, the focus is very much on the person that died and the death. In Six Weeks, it didn't feel like that at all. The focus throughout was Alfie and how he felt before his mum died and after she died. Alfie navigates life after his mum's death pushing away friends who don't know what to say, begin to live with his dad, Sophie and baby Alice, reestablishing his relationship with him. Matt Goodfellow manages to write all the emotion without overloading. He perfectly describes how Alfie's whole world is different and nothing looks the same yet life has continued as normal for his friends who now don't know what to say. Alfie feels alone. And goodness did I feel that? Joe Todd- Stanton's illustrations were perfect alongside Alfie's story. I also loved the tribute at the beginning, which caught me before I'd met Alfie.
Reading Six Weeks was an emotional journey in which I faced things I had locked away in my heart. It is a book that should be on every bookshelf. It is beautiful, honest and raw. Thank you, Matt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Six Weeks is everything I wanted it to be & more. I read The Final Year earlier this year as it is one of our 'p7 must reads' & loved it, so when I saw Six Weeks, I knew I had to read it. Matt Goodfellow's work is written for children in the last years of primary school & up, & by up, I mean all the way to adulthood. His writing is clever & emotive. Written in verse, what he does with so few words is really magical. There were so many lines that were beautiful & simple, such as 'where the mountain-tops knuckle the sky', a handful of words to paint such a strong visual.
The way grief is handled in this book is so real, raw & honest. This is an emotional read & it brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Having lost my mum as a child, I knew this book would hit hard, but it was also handled so beautifully & with such heart that it also put a smile on my face. I can not recommend Matt Goodfellow's work highly enough & will now be going back & reading those books I missed.
I'll need to get a copy of this book for our classroom. Another 5 star read from Matt Goodfellow.
The way grief is handled in this book is so real, raw & honest. This is an emotional read & it brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Having lost my mum as a child, I knew this book would hit hard, but it was also handled so beautifully & with such heart that it also put a smile on my face. I can not recommend Matt Goodfellow's work highly enough & will now be going back & reading those books I missed.
I'll need to get a copy of this book for our classroom. Another 5 star read from Matt Goodfellow.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a story of love with no place to go.
Of hurt, grief and hope.
We follow the journey of young Alfie Piper.
Over the six week summer holiday as he begins to process the loss of his mother and build the foundations of a bridge with his stepfather.
Every young person, who has experienced the loss of a loved one, should read this book.
To know that everyone will process loss in their own way.
To know that frustration and confusion comes with change.
To know that time heals wounds and broken hearts. Tremors and aches still remain, but it’s more manageable when months and years have passed by.
To learn to keep your head down during the hard times and look to the horizon when your head is above water once again. ✨
Matt’s glorious writing style tells the story as if it is one as old as time. The most beautiful descriptive sentences: ‘like the sky is on fire. Like yesterday is burning.’
Loooooved this so much.
A truly unforgettable, moving tale of climbing the mountain of grief and finding hope at its summit.
Thank you for the read Matt!
Of hurt, grief and hope.
We follow the journey of young Alfie Piper.
Over the six week summer holiday as he begins to process the loss of his mother and build the foundations of a bridge with his stepfather.
Every young person, who has experienced the loss of a loved one, should read this book.
To know that everyone will process loss in their own way.
To know that frustration and confusion comes with change.
To know that time heals wounds and broken hearts. Tremors and aches still remain, but it’s more manageable when months and years have passed by.
To learn to keep your head down during the hard times and look to the horizon when your head is above water once again. ✨
Matt’s glorious writing style tells the story as if it is one as old as time. The most beautiful descriptive sentences: ‘like the sky is on fire. Like yesterday is burning.’
Loooooved this so much.
A truly unforgettable, moving tale of climbing the mountain of grief and finding hope at its summit.
Thank you for the read Matt!
May 14, 2026
It seems a long time I’ll have to live like this.
So long without her.
Alfie’s Mum has died… he has so many feelings and six weeks of the summer ahead of him. What can change in 6 weeks?
I loved The Final Year by Matt Goodyear, he did something so vital and so innovative with his verse novel and here he is again with another incredible middle grade read. This is a powerful and insightful study of grief; the ebbs and flows; the ups and downs; the utter devastation; the lack of rules or a road map back. This is poignant, devastating; with the brilliant illustrations of Joe Todd- Stanton adding to the heartache as we catch glimpes of Sally, ‘she was my favourite person’ and a life before. Alfie’s feelings are complicated by his thoughts about his stepfather. Theirs has been a complicated relationship and they both struggle to interact with each other when the one person who kept them together and made everything ok, has gone. This pivotal relationship is so beautifully observed in the novel as they shift awkwardly round each other trying to shape a new friendship out of the devastation. As fragile as gossamer, this relationship might be the magic that both needs.
There are so many wonderful examples of verse novels now and I really love how children’s fiction writers are embracing this form and making it their own. Matt uses verse so beautifully; it is like freefalling, words and feelings spilling out unconstrained by form, straight from the heart. Utterly wonderful.
There are so few books written about grief; so few about losing a parent. This is an important resource for every classroom and library.
I reviewed a pre-publication copy from the author. Thank you to Hachette for my copy. All views are my own.
So long without her.
Alfie’s Mum has died… he has so many feelings and six weeks of the summer ahead of him. What can change in 6 weeks?
I loved The Final Year by Matt Goodyear, he did something so vital and so innovative with his verse novel and here he is again with another incredible middle grade read. This is a powerful and insightful study of grief; the ebbs and flows; the ups and downs; the utter devastation; the lack of rules or a road map back. This is poignant, devastating; with the brilliant illustrations of Joe Todd- Stanton adding to the heartache as we catch glimpes of Sally, ‘she was my favourite person’ and a life before. Alfie’s feelings are complicated by his thoughts about his stepfather. Theirs has been a complicated relationship and they both struggle to interact with each other when the one person who kept them together and made everything ok, has gone. This pivotal relationship is so beautifully observed in the novel as they shift awkwardly round each other trying to shape a new friendship out of the devastation. As fragile as gossamer, this relationship might be the magic that both needs.
There are so many wonderful examples of verse novels now and I really love how children’s fiction writers are embracing this form and making it their own. Matt uses verse so beautifully; it is like freefalling, words and feelings spilling out unconstrained by form, straight from the heart. Utterly wonderful.
There are so few books written about grief; so few about losing a parent. This is an important resource for every classroom and library.
I reviewed a pre-publication copy from the author. Thank you to Hachette for my copy. All views are my own.
July 10, 2026
A stunningly beautiful and profoundly touching middle-grade verse novel about 12-year-old Alfie and how he’s coping in the summer holidays a year after his mum has died. The most moving story I’ve read in ages - tears were trickling down my face for most of the last third of the book. Matt Goodfellow packs so much nuance and emotion into his blank verse, with an incredible economy of words. It would take most prose authors thousands of words to capture what he so cleverly evokes in a few brilliantly well-turned phrases.
Joe Todd-Stanton’s illustrations are a lovely complement, particularly the ones of the landscape. My only tiny minor gripe is that the children looked too young in the one of Alfie’s classmates (p91), more like the body language and proportions of toddlers than pre-teens. The fact that Alfie too looks rather young throughout serves as an important reminder that 12-year-olds are still really young and vulnerable kids, not the savvy teenagers that society sometimes pressurises them to be.
Joe Todd-Stanton’s illustrations are a lovely complement, particularly the ones of the landscape. My only tiny minor gripe is that the children looked too young in the one of Alfie’s classmates (p91), more like the body language and proportions of toddlers than pre-teens. The fact that Alfie too looks rather young throughout serves as an important reminder that 12-year-olds are still really young and vulnerable kids, not the savvy teenagers that society sometimes pressurises them to be.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Six Weeks 👦 |Early Review
🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A moving read 😢 following Alfie who loses his mum and navigates life after her passing. Looking at the relationships he has with those around him and how they have changed. Watching the other children going about their day having fun whilst he is so sad. You feel like you are in the pages alongside him, wanting to help!
Everyone should read this even though it is aimed at children aged 10+ it is so worth it. A Heartbreaking, moving, powerful read that will have you in tears!
Thank you @mattgoodfellowpoet @netgalley @hachettechildrens for allowing me an early copy of this book.
This is the first I've read by Matt Goodfellow. I've enjoyed his writing so much so that I went out today and picked up The Final Year and The First Year. I imagine these to be similar, and they are relatable right now as my daughter is approaching the end of year 6 🥹 ready to begin her new adventure!
🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A moving read 😢 following Alfie who loses his mum and navigates life after her passing. Looking at the relationships he has with those around him and how they have changed. Watching the other children going about their day having fun whilst he is so sad. You feel like you are in the pages alongside him, wanting to help!
Everyone should read this even though it is aimed at children aged 10+ it is so worth it. A Heartbreaking, moving, powerful read that will have you in tears!
Thank you @mattgoodfellowpoet @netgalley @hachettechildrens for allowing me an early copy of this book.
This is the first I've read by Matt Goodfellow. I've enjoyed his writing so much so that I went out today and picked up The Final Year and The First Year. I imagine these to be similar, and they are relatable right now as my daughter is approaching the end of year 6 🥹 ready to begin her new adventure!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Alfie Piper has a long summer stretching out ahead of him, and it means even more time to miss his mother whom he lost unexpectedly to illness. At least the fact that he now lives with his father, his (very kind) stepmother, and his baby sister Daisy - and no longer has to deal with his stepfather, his mother's partner - whom he feels tremendous resentment towards - helps somewhat.
But what can Alfie do about his mother's dying request that he make peace with his stepfather? Does he in fact have to do anything at all?
This is a beautiful story about grief, life after loss, and re examining your past in order to move ahead with your future. Well worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But what can Alfie do about his mother's dying request that he make peace with his stepfather? Does he in fact have to do anything at all?
This is a beautiful story about grief, life after loss, and re examining your past in order to move ahead with your future. Well worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a poignant, emotional yet beautiful book. Alfie has lost his mam very suddenly and the book is about him learning to deal with that loss, while living with his dad, his dad's partner and his new baby sister. He has to navigate new relationships with people in his life who treat him differently now. The book is set over the six week's summer holidays and deals with loneliness too. This may become a comforting book for young people in a similar position, although it might be too much for others in that position, as it is a very personal response. Matt Goodfellow is such a great writer, using his own experiences and it shines through in this very special book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and to Hatchette for this ARC! So happy to be approved for this one!
Wow, just wow, he's done it again!! What a stunning and moving story. I read this in one sitting, I absolutely loved it. Such a raw and real portrayal of a child's grief. The novel in verse form really immerses you in what Alfie's going through and creates a real stream of consciousness narrative that I feel accurately represents how a child could process grief. The journey Alfie goes on is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The accompanying illustrations add to the emotional nature of the story. Fantastic!!
Wow, just wow, he's done it again!! What a stunning and moving story. I read this in one sitting, I absolutely loved it. Such a raw and real portrayal of a child's grief. The novel in verse form really immerses you in what Alfie's going through and creates a real stream of consciousness narrative that I feel accurately represents how a child could process grief. The journey Alfie goes on is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The accompanying illustrations add to the emotional nature of the story. Fantastic!!
May 30, 2026
You will need tissues (that keeps happening this month)
A beautiful story about grief and hope wrapped up in this little book of verse with beautiful words and beautiful illustrations.
An emotional story of Alfie dealing with the grief of losing his mum s year ago, and how the six week summer holiday full of walks and cycling starts to heal in ways unexpected.
I just wanted to give everyone and hug.
I can’t wait to see the finished physical edition because some of it didn’t translate as well on the ebook
A beautiful story about grief and hope wrapped up in this little book of verse with beautiful words and beautiful illustrations.
An emotional story of Alfie dealing with the grief of losing his mum s year ago, and how the six week summer holiday full of walks and cycling starts to heal in ways unexpected.
I just wanted to give everyone and hug.
I can’t wait to see the finished physical edition because some of it didn’t translate as well on the ebook
April 12, 2026
Honest to god, this broke my heart and then put it back together again. Bawled my eyes out in the plane. I’m so sad for Alfie, but I’m so glad he’s surrounded by people who show him love, patience and hope. It’s important to look for the light and the hope in life especially in the times when there feels like there’s none. There’s such gentleness and such heart in these books. I feel very privileged to have read this.
June 2, 2026
Thirteen year old Alfie has a long six weeks of summer to fill. A year after his mum passed away, he decides it’s time to start rebuilding lost relationships. Told through prose, this is an excellent tale of love, grief and hope for the future. A guaranteed tear-jerker but an important read. Matt Goodfellow has delivered again, accompanied by gorgeous illustrations from Joe Todd-Stanton. Another brilliant novel by one of my favourite authors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2026
After reading the previous 2 books from Matt Goodfellow I couldn't wait to read this one. I bought it without reading anything about it. I wished I had this book when I was 10. I think it would've helped. His writing in this book and the others is just brilliant. I bought the book for the classroom and now I've read it I hope it helps some children in what they maybe going through or even having that empathy for others who this may affect.
June 25, 2026
4.5⭐s
I've knocked off half a star only because I didn't love this as much as his other books but I did really enjoy this one. I love this authors writing style.
This is a very heartwarming story, written in free verse, about Alfie and his journey with grief and coming to terms with his mother's death.
It's beautifully written full of honesty and heart. It's interspersed with poetry and songs. Wonderful illustrations too.
I've knocked off half a star only because I didn't love this as much as his other books but I did really enjoy this one. I love this authors writing style.
This is a very heartwarming story, written in free verse, about Alfie and his journey with grief and coming to terms with his mother's death.
It's beautifully written full of honesty and heart. It's interspersed with poetry and songs. Wonderful illustrations too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
At a recent event Matt Goodfellow commented that he feels this is his best work so far and I definitely agree. I read the book through tears most of the time, it’s a touching exploration of grief and trying to move on. The overriding feeling at the end is of hope, acceptance and love and it is just beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is such a touching book. I bawled my eyes out reading it. All the grief, the confusion and frustration of a child dealing with bereavement are poignantly portrayed. This is my favourite among the books by the same author. A must read.
June 7, 2026
I couldn't help, as I read this book, think about the child in my class who I know will see herself between these pages when she is ready to. I know that it will help her to see the light.
Impeccable, as ever 👌
Impeccable, as ever 👌
June 21, 2026
Matt Goodfellow is able to create a deep and relatable character effortlessly from the off. Tackling such difficult topics is tricky, but his style allows him to present situations in an approachable light. Anyone who enjoyed his first two offerings would enjoy this as well.
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