The Final Year is about Nate, who is in his last year of primary school. His final year is hard but having his best friend by his side makes it ok. The only problem is Nate’s best friend has been put in a different class and made a new friend. Nate is busy at home taking care of his two younger brothers while his mom is at bingo. When things finally start to look up, disaster strikes for Nate’s youngest brother and the year gets tougher than ever.

I love this book so much, it is so beautiful and it made me cry. The Final Year covers topics like friendship, grief, hope and finding you voice in an amazing way. 

The Final Year has a bunch of illustrations done by Joe Todd-Stanton, I really love them. They add a lot to this already gorgeous book. I love how the drawings are very simple but convey so much feeling.

Something about verse novels is so addictive, they are impossible to put down, especially this book. I read The Final Year in one sitting. I love how each poem is unique in this book.

I would recommend this to anyone. It would be great for kids who are leaving primary school, but anyone who has experienced leaving school will relate to it in some way. I want everyone to read this book.