On the 12th July, Matt Goodfellow was awarded the 2024 CLiPPA (CLPE Children's Poetry Award) for his heartfelt, authentic verse-novel that captures “the voice of year 6”. The Final Year follows Mancunian student Nate as he navigates his final year of primary school and faces his younger brother's illness. With the love of his family and the help of his teacher, Nate perseveres.
Liz Berry, chair of this year's judges, said, “The Final Year was our unanimous winner." She called Goodfellow's verse-novel "not only a great read, it's also an invitation into poetry and the power that writing and reading can hold for those just starting to find their voices.”
Matt Goodfellow is a former primary school teacher, and has featured on the CLiPPA shortlist every year since 2021. He delivers workshops to young people in schools, libraries and festivals around the country.