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Six Weeks
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26The 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.
- GenresMiddle Grade
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
About the author
Matt Goodfellow
19 books37 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After the brilliance of The Final Year and The First Year, Matt Goodfellow returns with Six Weeks.
This is the story of Alfie Piper- Alfie lives with his dad and his partner ; Alfie's mum died a year ago. Told in Matt Goodfellow's inimitable style of prose, the book follows Alfie over the six week summer holidays as he tries to understand and navigate his feelings of grief and the animosity he had to his stepdad before his mum died- HE/HIM. Written in bold font whenever mentioned, Alfie's stepdad is also grieving and alone.
With the weeks ahead of him and his dad looking after his newly born young sister, Alfie escapes on his bicycle and finds himself outside his former home and finally meets his stepdad who he has not seen since the funeral.
This is a movingly beautiful read. Alfie's and his stepdad's raw emotions are palpable; this is story of the fragility of life ; the human capacity to reject in grief but to heal over time and when opening up our hearts build understanding of unknown events.
Joe Todd- Stanton's illustrations again another depth and dynamic to the book.
This is a book for 11 upwards- an important book that explores grief but also the light at the end of a tunnel during a heart-breaking period.
Highly recommended - a top book for 2026 !!
Thank you to Matt Goodfellow, Hachette Children's Books and NetGalley for this advance copy
This is the story of Alfie Piper- Alfie lives with his dad and his partner ; Alfie's mum died a year ago. Told in Matt Goodfellow's inimitable style of prose, the book follows Alfie over the six week summer holidays as he tries to understand and navigate his feelings of grief and the animosity he had to his stepdad before his mum died- HE/HIM. Written in bold font whenever mentioned, Alfie's stepdad is also grieving and alone.
With the weeks ahead of him and his dad looking after his newly born young sister, Alfie escapes on his bicycle and finds himself outside his former home and finally meets his stepdad who he has not seen since the funeral.
This is a movingly beautiful read. Alfie's and his stepdad's raw emotions are palpable; this is story of the fragility of life ; the human capacity to reject in grief but to heal over time and when opening up our hearts build understanding of unknown events.
Joe Todd- Stanton's illustrations again another depth and dynamic to the book.
This is a book for 11 upwards- an important book that explores grief but also the light at the end of a tunnel during a heart-breaking period.
Highly recommended - a top book for 2026 !!
Thank you to Matt Goodfellow, Hachette Children's Books and NetGalley for this advance copy
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.
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!!
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews