Six Weeks

This heartbreakingly poignant 11+ verse novel delicately traces the slow, non-linear processes of acceptance and healing, heightened by Todd-Stanton’s shadowy, sweet black-and-white illustrations * The Guardian *
This extraordinary free verse novel is a raw and almost overwhelming study of grief, love, family and hope…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. I did. * The Daily Mail *
Beautifully handled, warm and wise * The Daily Mail *
A poignant story * The Guardian - What We’re Reading reader review *
Jaw droppingly good - perhaps one of the most emotionally powerful children’s books of the past few years * Educate Magazine *
A moving story told in verse about grief and family and love and loss * WRD Magazine *
Six Weeks is a beautifully written verse novel…the illustrations throughout this book are thoughtfully drawn and evoke both the despair and the slow dawn beautifully * School Reading List *

This extraordinary free-verse novel is a raw and almost overwhelming study of grief, love, family and hope. Alfie’s complicated, fun-loving mum died a year ago and he refuses to see his cold stepdad (referred to as ‘him’), living instead with his Dad, stepmum and their baby.
During a six-week summer holiday, angry, sad Alfie rides his bike into the hills that his mum loved, but when his bike breaks, he’s forced to accept help from ‘him’ - the start of 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. I did.

Matt Goodfellow (Author)

Matt Goodfellow was born in Withington, Manchester. He was a primary teacher in East Manchester for over 10 years.

Matt visits schools, libraries, conferences and festivals around the UK and beyond, inspiring children and adults to get involved with poetry through his performances and workshops. He’s worked with organisations including the Premier League, the National Literacy Trust, BookTrust, National Poetry Day, the Forward Arts Foundation and CLPE.

Matt has written poetry collections for a wide range of age groups. His debut verse novel The Final Year, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, became an instant bestseller and has gone on to win and be shortlisted for many different awards including the CLiPPA, Carnegie, Branford Boase, and the FCBG Children’s Book Award.

Joe Todd-Stanton (Illustrator)

Joe Todd-Stanton grew up in Brighton, where he was taught to draw by his mum. He went on to get a first-class degree in illustration from the University of the West of England and is now an author and illustrator of picture books and graphic novels. His first picture book The Secret of Black Rock won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and The Comet won the Yoto Carnegies Shadowers’ Choice Award. Joe lives in London.

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