The Final Year, the much-praised verse novel by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Otter-Barry Books) has been crowned the winner of this year’s CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award), the UK’s leading award for published poetry for children.

It was third time lucky for Matt Goodfellow, who has been shortlisted for the CLiPPA every year for the last three years. This year’s strong shortlist of five titles reflected the breadth and vitality of the UK’s poetry publishing for children but the judges were unanimous in their decision.

“The Final Year was our unanimous winner.” said Liz Berry, poet and chair of this year’s judges. “A powerful, sensitive, verse-novel which perfectly captures the voices, energy, and complex feelings of the Year 6 classroom. We admired its empathy, depth, deft storytelling and beautiful use of the vernacular. We were all gripped by Nate’s journey and know young readers will be too. For The Final Year is 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.”

From the whoops and cheers from the 1100- strong audience of primary pupils attending the award ceremony at the National Theatre, it was clear that The Final Year was a popular choice with young people too.  There was certainly plenty to cheer about at the ceremony, which included live drawing by Chris Riddell, readings from the shortlisted poets and some very polished and inspiring performances from the young winners of this year’s CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme. You can watch the whole event on the livestream recording here.

Commenting on this year’s award, Rebecca Eaves, Chief Executive at CLPE, said: “In its 21^st year, we are delighted to congratulate Matt Goodfellow on winning the CLiPPA with this compelling, heartwarming verse novel. The Final Year celebrates primary schools, their teachers and the power of poetry and stands out even on such a strong shortlist. It’s an enormously popular win with our young audience who lifted the roof off the National Theatre today and we recommend everyone read it. Kids like Nate don’t often get to tell their own stories, and we’re delighted to be putting it in the spotlight today.”