Six Weeks

by Matt Goodfellow, Joe Todd-Stanton

'Extraordinary ... a slow, beautifully handled exploration of the past, grief and healing. Painful and authentic, it's full of wisdom, hope and a resolution that will make you cry' The Daily Mail
'Utterly magnificent' Liz Hyder
'Matt Goodfellow's best novel to date' Sarah Crossan
'Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant' Phil Earle
'Goodfellow has pulled off something astounding' Anthony McGowan
'All at once beautiful, tender, funny and sharp ... a triumph' Katya Balen

The hotly anticipated new book from award-winning writer 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 beautifully written, this is an unforgettable story of love and loss, family and hope. From Matt Goodfellow, winner of the CLiPPA Award - with breathtaking illustrations from Joe Todd-Stanton.

Audible Audio

Published June 4, 2026

About the author

Matt 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.

Reviews

[Liz H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six Weeks is a deeply moving and beautifully written coming-of-age novel that explores grief, family, resilience, and the possibility of healing after loss.

Matt Goodfellow creates an unforgettable portrait of a young boy struggling to make sense of a world changed by tragedy. Through Alfie’s journey, readers experience the raw emotions of loss alongside moments of courage, reflection, and hope. The novel’s emotional honesty, compelling character development, and heartfelt exploration of family relationships make it both powerful and uplifting.

Overall, it’s a valuable read for fans of middle grade fiction, contemporary children's literature, coming-of-age stories, family dramas, grief and healing narratives, emotionally rich character-driven novels, and readers seeking thoughtful stories about resilience, hope, and personal growth.