A thoughtful verse novel about the upheaval of starting secondary school. Nate encounters friendship, rules, family change, anger and conflict, while a returning figure from the past makes life more complicated.
Nate begins Year 7, adjusts to new teachers and expectations, makes friends and feels distance from the familiarity of primary school.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The transition is presented as emotionally unsettling and socially significant, with attention to how school systems may interpret behaviour.
Talk about: What helps Nate feel that he belongs, and whether his new school learns to understand him?
Family change and unexpected return
Nate lives with Mum, Jax and Dylan, while a mysterious or unexpected father figure re-enters his life temporarily.AmbiguousAmbiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.Ambiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.
How the book presents it: The book leaves its stance open to more than one reading.
Talk about: How does the return affect Nate and his family, and what does each person want from the relationship?
Behaviour, anger and judgement
Nate manages fits of anger called ‘The Beast’, while his new school may label and judge behaviour without understanding the emotions behind it.CriticalCritical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.Critical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.
How the book presents it: The book takes a critical view of this.
Talk about: What might adults notice if they looked beyond Nate’s behaviour, and whether Nate finds ways to respond differently?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
Its free-verse form gives space to complicated feelings, and the story also offers a perspective on how behaviour can be misunderstood or labelled.
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What Deserves Attention
Be ready for emotionally weighty material involving a younger brother’s earlier life-threatening heart condition, family disruption, school conflict, anger, and a mysterious figure returning to Nate’s life.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does Nate’s new school respond to his behaviour and feelings, and whether the people around him recognise what he needs could open a useful conversation about judgement and empathy.
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Reading Approach
Read The Final Year first if possible: this story begins immediately afterwards, and earlier events, including Dylan’s illness and Nate’s previous year, are important context for understanding the sequel.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Starting secondary school: The specific resolution of Nate’s school difficulties is not established.
Family change and unexpected return: The person’s history, conduct and eventual place in the family remain unclear.
Behaviour, anger and judgement: The specific causes, strategies and consequences of Nate’s anger are not fully described.
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