Play

LoveReading4Kids Says

The second novel from this Branford Boase shortlisted author certainly lives up to the promise of his debut Grow.

Apart from the deliberately anonymous first page, the story is narrated by three voices: Matt, Mark and Luc. Each voice is unique and distinctive and they vividly describe the lives of four young boys growing up in a small town in England, negotiating friendship, school and family and each desperate to get out and find freedom.

They play games, scoring points off each other, anything to break the boredom. But Mark gets involved in a very dangerous game and his drug dealing will have consequences for them all.

Undoubtedly the author’s teaching experience contributes to this subtle, yet powerful, examination of adolescent male friendships, the influence of father figures or the lack of them and to consider some quite weighty themes including drugs, sexuality and toxic masculinity. These characters are real flawed human beings who learn and grow and as readers we can feel compassion for their poor decision making, as well as hoping for their redemption.

Teen books with realistic male protagonists are rare and when they are as good as this they need to be treasured.

Reviewed by Joy Court
Joy Court is co – founder of All Around Reading, having previously managed the Schools Library Service in Coventry, where she established the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards and…
More reviews by Joy Court

About Play

Four boys grow up together at school, itching to get out of their small town. They play games, scoring points from each other, anything to pass the time until they're free. Matthew slips into his imagination, Luc pushes his body to the limit, and Johnny ... well who knows what Johnny's up to.

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