Six Weeks - Matt Goodfellow

When Alfie's mum dies, everything changes for him. He goes to live with his Dad and his new family, leaving him (his step-dad) behind.  But as the first anniversary arrives, and the summer holidays loom ahead, Alfie begins to think about everything that happened, and without even realising it, ends up back at his old home, the home he still lives in . And they end up getting to know each other again.

Alfie has no choice but to navigate life without his mum.  He feels alone, despite having his dad and his new family there who are are wonderful with him.   All he can do is his best, taking it one day at a time.  With six weeks of summer ahead, Alfie turns to his bike and rides to help.

I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to lose your mum at such an early age but Matt explores this in a sensitive and beautiful way, whilst also looking at the wider impact on his father and the grief of Alfie's step-dad.  The use of poetry is, once again, wonderful and Joe Todd-Stanton's illustrations perfectly compliment the writing. 

Having loved Matt's previous two books (The Final Year and The First Year), I was thrilled to receive a proof copy of Six Weeks and it immediately went on the pile of books I was taking on holiday with me over the Easter break.  I'd heard from bookish friends that this was a story that would make me cry but I don't think I was really prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this book took me on (I had tissues, wore sunglasses and was incredibly glad there was nobody else around). From the very beginning, the book reaches in and twists at your heart-strings. It's beautiful, emotional, raw, heart-breaking, heart-warming ... I don't think I quite have the words to say how wonderful this book is. 

Six Weeks is a book you have to just sit with after you've finished it so you can fully absorb everything. It's a book I hugged at the end (between the tears). It's a book full of heart-break, healing and hope. 

I really don't think I can do Six Weeks the justice it deserves so please pre-order it so you can see what I'm talking about when it publishes on the 6th June.