Play

'Play' is about 4 boys who are each struggling with their own personal challenges. I found the way the author presented each of them in a slightly different way really fascinating and it was an interesting read but I found it difficult to relate to the characters. The last scene was confusing and dragged on for too long and overall it was quite depressing. I'm glad I read it as I like to try out different genres but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Evelyn

BCS Book Squad

I enjoyed all of the plot, and I think it had very good ideas, and the book was written very well so you could empathise with the characters. Even though I didn't particularly enjoy the writing style, I thought it suited the book very well. However, because of all of the separate plot lines, I think they all were tackled a bit mediocrely and I would've preferred all of them to be a bit fuller and fleshed out. Ignoring this I did enjoy the book and will be creating a more satisfying ending in my mind.

Madeleine

Bilbo Baggins’ Bookworms

This book really highlights the dangers of getting drawn into things that you know you aren't meant to do. The book was about drug use and the ending was very emotional. I really loved the character Johnny he was really innocent and he tried to do the right thing, I really connected with him. It was clever how the boys in the book normalised drug use but the writer made it clear it wasn't right. I loved this book because I really loved the character developments, it was a powerful read.

Eben

THS Shadowing

Play is about four boys who are close friends. The story switches between each of their perspectives, giving us a look into what’s going on in their individual lives. Luc pushes himself to the limit to win his father’s approval, Mark gets caught up in drug dealing and starts drifting away from his friends, Matt escapes into his imagination, and Johnny just wants to feel free. This is a very mature book that explores serious themes like drugs, love, masculinity, and alcohol abuse. Although the switching perspectives were a bit confusing at times, I still found the book really gripping and powerful. I would recommend it to readers aged 13 and over because of the mature content. It’s a thought-provoking story that shows how different people deal with pressure in their own ways.

Isabella

Rainbeau Readers

Miroslava

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Luke Palmer's 'Play' is about friendship and growing up, and how people change when they get older and have to make choices in life. It shows how hard it can be to figure out your place in the world and in your relationships. The ending, where a character talks about life after death, made me think a lot about my own life. However, the story has some mature content, like sex and drugs, that made me feel uncomfortable. Because of this, I think it's better for older readers. It's a powerful story, but it's also very intense.

Miroslava

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Play by Luke Palmer is a book that really resonated with me, as it dives into the ups and downs of adolescence in a way that's both relatable and emotional. The characters feel real, each dealing with their own struggles, which made it easy for me to connect with them on a personal level. The way the author captures the feeling of uncertainty and self-discovery during the teenage years really stood out to me. While some parts of the plot felt a little predictable, I found myself hooked by the fast-paced writing and the balance of humor with deeper, more serious moments. The book made me reflect on my own experiences growing up, and I think it would be a great read for anyone who enjoys stories about personal growth and overcoming life's challenges. Overall, Play is a meaningful and entertaining read that left a lasting impression on me.

Omar

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Play is a book about the challenges of growing up, and the stories that result. We journey with 4 friends, hearing each of their opinions about the events that are happening, in detail. In my opinion, the opening few chapters could be elaborated on, as they gloss over several years in a very short space of time. In addition to this, in this section, the visual description is quite underdone, meaning that readers may struggle to picture some of the scenes. In the middle of the book, many themes are carefully explored, which is a huge credit to the book, but it does fall into a repetitive cycle of silly decisions followed by consequences, which leads to quite a long read. The ending is superb, however, a beautiful sting in the tail, which successfully and concisely wraps up the preceding events extremely well. Overall: a book that is well written and structured, exploring a wide variety of difficult topics, but could be expanded in places. 8/10

Benjamin

TBGS Readers

Amelia

Nuneaton Academy Shadow Readers

This book is about four boys and how their friendship grows and changes over time. It explores important themes like friendship, masculinity, and loyalty. The short chapters help keep the story fast-paced and gripping, but the main message is never lost. It doesn’t shy away from serious issues and shows how the characters’ decisions have a big impact on their lives. I found it honest and intense, and it really made me think about how even small choices can affect not just you, but the people around you too.

ethan

Rainbeau Readers

Personally, I believe that this book tells the truth about how easy it is to take things to far and to ruin your lives. The book follows four boys who are starting year nine at school and are constantly in search of a new 'game'. When Mark gets involved with his brothers shady friend, he thinks that he's found the best game of all. As Mark grows apart from the others, he starts spending his money from selling drugs to everyone. As everyone starts taking more and more drugs from Mark, it all goes wrong for the foursome at a house party when Johnny dies. I think that the cover of the book fits the story as it shows a scene from the book that could be interpreted as Johnny's suicide or as them at the river.

Liam

Bookwizards

This book, personally, was not for me. it switches from different perspectives during the book.

Isabelle

OLSB Shadowers

Play was a really nice book, I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the writing style.

Nancy

Wyedean School

An amazing book on masculinity told through multiple perspectives entirely different to each other, and an unexpected ending entirely. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Elsie

St Kaths

PLAY: This intriguing book is about the negatives of drugs on people. The book switches perspectives from 4 different friends: -Luc- who we see as a sporty sixth former pushing his body to the limit -Mark- a person who got himself tangled in the drug business -Matthew- a person who got himself addicted to drugs -Johnny- a helpful and vengeful friend who was heading for disaster. These boys had their lives spoiled by drugs and Johnny even died after consuming too much...

Aarnav

Bookwizards

This is my favourite book so far. I really liked it because it switched round who was narrating the book. I would recommend this book to my siblings and friends if they asked for a good book. I liked how at the end of most chapters there was cliff-hangers, which made you want to keep reading to continue from their position.

James W-B

Ermysted’s

This was an excellent read that really showed just how difficult it is for drug traffickers to stop trafficking drugs, among other things. It really allowed me to feel the character’s point of view, and it was an astounding book.

Zack

Crypt Bookworms

Hanzalah

Ermysted’s

'Play' is a terrifying, exhilarating, award-worthy book that shows the development of the lives of 4 young boys as they navigate through some of life's worst issues for teenagers: exams, home issues (abuse, neglect and absence of parents), drug-selling and addiction. As we follow their journey through the chapters showcasing each individual's thoughts and feelings, we get to see their thoughts and interests showing through more clearly, not just going with what 'the group' is saying. It was really interesting to see such diverse outcomes at the end of the book when they all started with the same opinions, and it was nice to learn that they all remained friends even into adulthood. I personally found this book more difficult to read as it dealt with trickier topics, however I still appreciated it being on the shortlist because these things need to be discussed more among younger and more vulnerable members of society.

Kristina

Brooke Weston Book Busters

I liked this book because it showed how much people change as they grow up. The book is about a group of boys who go to school together but begin to grow apart. One of them gets in with the wrong crowd while another becomes very good at rugby. The story is quite enlightening but has some older content so I would recommend this book for Year 8 or above.

Henry

SGS Eclipse

Play is a book about 4 different boys. The book shows how the pure and playful child is quickly changed to care about social status and wealth. while getting dragged into a hell consisting of drug dealing.

Ming

Ermysted’s

I so enjoyed this book. The four characters were well drawn and the issues they had to deal with were very 'real life' (sadly!). Their individual stories and the way they intersected over a number of years made for a sometimes complex plot, but very readable. As I got towards the end of the book, I was intrigued as to how it might finish, and I did not see the ending coming - it was a fabulous ending, different in tone from the rest of the book, but utterly compelling and overwhelmingly moving. My favourite so far...

Ros

Balla Bookworms

There's one thing which simply wows me. The story is written from every boys' perspective. This really makes you feel like you know these characters, letting you really immerse yourself in the story. I feel like the swears are a bit piled on, but a really solid storyline and plot. The ending kept me confused for ages! Highly recommend it.

Matthew

TBGS Readers

It's a good book. Mild swearing but overall very interesting. I love the ending of the book. I recommend reading it by yourself as it can get intense.

Sophia

BAS READING CHAMPIONS

Play by Luke Palmer was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Not only was the plot interesting and not overdramatic but the characters were also described thoughtfully and their backstories were really impactful. The 4 main characters, Matt, Mark, Luc and Johnny were completely different and allowed many different perspectives of the events that unfolded during the book and there was a real sense of friendship between them especially when there was tension. The plot was very engaging as well as sad as it dealt with difficult topics such as drugs and showed the complex emotions of the characters going through these times. I also thought that the journey from innocent childhood to a more mature understanding of the world was created beautifully. I think the most shocking part of the book was the end. It was very unexpected and had a different tone underlying it but for me it didn't impact the sincerity of the story or my love for it. A definite 10/10!

Jemimah

KES Bookworms

I thought this book was amazing! I would highly recommend it as it is an insight into the struggles that many young people face and the lack of help they are given. It has many emotional ups and downs, and had me completely hooked into the character's stories. Luke Palmer makes you feel like you know the characters and the emotions it draws out are intense and strong. I love how the story switches between three of the characters ( plus the twist in events at the end!) and you can see the journey the four characters face. This highlights problems in society that we need to face and shows how many young people find their way into the endless cycle and trap of drugs. It is a really powerful story which I definitely recommend! It also highlights the struggles of LGBTQ+ and the struggle young people face in showing their personality.

Ryan

SHS On The Same Page

Play is a book highlighting the friendship between four boys: Johnny, Mark, Matt and Luc, following them throughout their path through secondary school, starting at year eight going all the way up to year eleven. It follows the boys separately from each chapter, taking up a different character every time, giving the reader insight into the feelings, emotions and motives of what they do. As you follow the book, you watch as things spiral out of control for the boys, having you on the edge of your seat and waiting to see what will happen to them, hoping they will be able to fix what they have done before it is too late. I liked this book very much because it had me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next, keeping me guessing for what would happen to them, knowing inevitably that something would have to go wrong and that they would all get dragged down with each other. I liked how it was intricately written, letting you follow each boy's story; while also letting you follow the story as a whole, seeing from everybody's eyes as it happened before them. I don't have anything negative to say on the book, except how at the beginning I was confused on the different perspectives, getting to know the new characters, but other than that it was a brilliant read. Overall, I would recommend it to someone looking to follow an interweaving story, looking for a book with a dramatic ending.

Rowan

The Fitzharrys Shadows

I loved it but some parts just didn't feel real, and some parts made me cry.

Dora

Wyedean School

'Play' by Luke Palmer is an excellent interpretation of the mindsets of modern teenage boys growing up together and exploring the changes between being just innocent boys and what the real world is like. It perfectly handles challenging themes that many young people experience in the world and helps to convey these points of view to readers in a powerful, yet sensitive, way. I also like how the story goes through many years of these friends' lives and shows just how much they change in them. However, I also think that sometimes having four main characters with their own individual stories can make it quite challenging to remember what previously happened to them, as it flits a lot between each of them in chapters. I also think that sometimes the language and references to other mature themes is a bit too much. I also sometimes find it hard to connect with the characters, and I struggle to see their thoughts and opinions on certain matters discussed in the book, but I think that maybe other readers will be able to understand these characters further than me. But I find the story very interesting, and I do like how each of the four friends is able to express their thoughts and feelings in each of the chapters on certain matters that have taken place. The ending is also very creative, and it leaves the reader with lots of different ideas on what could've happened to each of the characters in the coming future, which is a very interesting thing to think and reflect on after finishing reading this book.

Tess

LGGS Shadow Questers

The book “Play” by Luke Palmer is a beautiful book written in different perspectives from the point of view of four very different boys. They strike an unusual friendship and try to help each other as their school life goes on. With many twists and turns along the way, they face different challenges and struggle with who they actually are rather than what is expected of them. The use of first person in this novel really brings the characters alive and all their views and opinions are brought through clearly to the reader. This book was gripping right till the very end and had amazing characters. They were believable, full of emotion and the interactions with each other were also great. The only thing that was slightly bad about the book was the ending. Although it was a clever move to have the plot twist at the end, the bit that came after was slightly unusual and definitely not a particularly credible ending. It was a nice touch but perhaps too much for the ending of the book.

Alice

Diary of a Wally Kid

It was really good, I loved the book, and I would recommend it to a friend.

Fay

BCS Book Squad

I thought the book play was undeniably amazing. I loved how the POVs alternated to each of the characters stream of consciousness. The ending surprised me more than I can express. I do think the middle of the book was hard to read as it was quite slow paced but overall I think it was a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Sophie

Marshland Readers

‘Play’ is a book about 4 teenage boys’ experience through secondary school. They play games, scoring points against each other but, eventually, these games turn into much more. I really like the poetic feel to it because although it wasn’t poetry, it was very rhythmic and had some repetitive elements. It personally wasn’t my favourite book because I struggled with some of the choices the main characters made. I also didn’t really enjoy the themes; drugs, toxic masculinity and sexuality. This is because they’re not really my style however if you’re into novels about teenage experiences- this is probably for you. It reminded me of some Josh Silver novels like ‘Happy Head’. I would recommend it for ages 13+.

Hannah

The Fitzharrys Shadows

Nice book. I liked the way the four main characters developed through the book. Some of it had quite a lot of things happening at once. The changing of perspective through the book was interesting because it was like four different stories connecting in one book. It also shows the pollution of the landscape and the effect of dealing drugs on someone's life. The ending was interesting and complex, and I enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to others.

Jakub B

Ermysted’s

It was a really good book that reflected the stories of several boys in a highly effective way. It reflects on real life issues: drugs and pollution. The words are used in such a way that I am able to picture everything in my head. I also like how each different perspective allows me to understand a different exciting point of view. Play should be chosen for the Carnegie award because it is an amazing book that excited me from the beginning right through to the end.

Iris

Crypt Bookworms

The thing that made this book exciting was that every chapter or every few chapters there would be a change in pov

Connor R

Ermysted’s

Play was a very interesting book. I felt the constant switching between different characters could often be confusing and remembering all the different side characters and their relationships was very difficult. However, the story was quite compelling and ,after I had gotten used to the structure, the book became a very enjoyable read. The characters seemed immensely convincing and had very complex motives that were conveyed by the writer very well. The ending of the book was.... unusual. It ended in a way that was unexpected yet helped tie up most of the plots as well as leaving the story "unfinished". Overall, an interesting read that was more complex in story and pacing than other Carnegie books.

benjaminr

Ermysted’s

I've always found the concept of masculinity (and gender as a whole) strange, with twisting, turning, confusing mazes that seem to be full of rules; utterly impossible to navigate. I really enjoy how this book tackles these issues, and that each character who 'plays' the game of life and has a result due to their own choices. The alternating POV's can be normally jarring to follow, but this book allowed them to flow well together and shows the thought and skill behind them being cohesive, especially in the final chapters! It clearly communicated the struggle the each boy was going through in their own way. Personally, I found the attitudes of the protagonists relatable and the transition from the lack of maturity to the facing of consequences is awe-inspiring and bitter sweet. I loved reading play! I give it 3.5 out of 5! My only critique is the dialogue does try to hard...

Connie

OAJW Golden Reader Club

The book was very effective in tackling the themes it wished to discuss, highlighting how and why characters acted as they did with the different perspectives being very recognisable from each other due to the unique tones of the characters which is often hard to accomplish with multiple POVs. The pacing and ambiguity in parts did make it quite confusing to follow even though it was an intentional writing decision to reflect the story so its definitely a book where the reader really has to focus to be able to fully understand the progression of the plot. The ending was equally beautifully written and strange, being completely different to the vibe of the rest of the book but made sense in the context. Overall 8.5/10 stars

Mariya

Sutton Shadows

This was a very interesting book that highlighted many issues facing us today, particularly those of some younger people. For example, its comments on toxic masculinity were sensitively well put. I also enjoyed the different perspectives throughout the book, as it allowed different opinions and situations to be heard, therefore avoiding one sidedness. However, I found the ending to be quite difficult and perhaps to end on a slightly more hopeful note would have enhanced the messages in the book.

Milly

The Maynard School

Play is a book about 4 different boys, namely Matt, Mark, Johnny and Luc. The book shows how innocence in childhood is quickly lost, and about how social status, wealth and all other categorising factors cannot stop the fatal impact of drug dealing, drug abuse and, possibly even fatalities. The story is written in 4 perspectives to shine a light on how different the lives of 4 individuals were. It is a great and moving read, and shows that life is not all that simple.

Tejas

Colchester Royal Grammar School

I would say this book can be likened to a key. For me, it opened a door that I never knew existed, revealing, simply, the many possibilities of life. All a person’s life experiences are just one path they could have chosen; this book lyrically and wittily explores the finer points of it. Each character within Play is unique, shaped by their families and life journeys, but the four also have much in common, making this story relatable and individual. Towards the finale, I have never read a deeper, purer description of Time itself, or even of life, but it truly moved me, and, I think, will resonate with me forevermore. Only a sage could have brought such wisdom to words.

Molly

PGS Library

Play – Luke Palmer The book is a little bit slow, and I struggled to read it, but it did have nice fleshed-out characters that I missed after reading. Unfortunately, the characters were one of the only good things about the book that I picked out as it was slightly boring. More easily persuaded readers could easily get the wrong ideas from this book as the more negative effects of one of the main boy’s actions are only portrayed as a bad decision in the last 10 pages. 4/10

Jake

KSA Book Wolves

A good book! I found it to be sometimes quite hard to read, as some of the events in the book were quite disturbing, but they were handled in a good way. I think the characters were interesting and had distinct personalities, making the writing from their respective viewpoints very interesting! The ending was amazing, ending on a more positive note yet still really getting the point across! Overall, I think Play was a powerful and well written book!

Edward L

Ermysted’s

This book was fun to read, and did an excellent job of exploring the lives of different boys, with different life experiences and social statuses, which contrasted their characteristics in the book. The book gives a good idea about the dangers of drug abuse and dangers associated with drugs. My only issue with the book is that the ending was quite cryptic and felt a bit jarring, not quite fitting in with the remainder of the book.

Manas

Colchester Royal Grammar School

A really good book exploring how devastating drugs are for children. Great read that made you always want to read on.

Finn

St Kaths

I loved this book as it took me out my comfort zone making me try new books. It was really enjoyable as I learnt about different peoples perspective, when usually it is only one person writing and how they develop as characters. It focuses on drugs, sexuality and friendships. I would rate this book 5 stars as the writing was nice and I couldn't put it down.

Isabella B

VISTA Academy

I only read the start and I stopped because it didn’t grip me and was a little confusing due to the perspectives which usually I can deal with in books

Emma

SHSCC_Readers!

It is very good and has a lot of meaning behind it while still being suitable for tweens or teens.

Ellie-mai

SHSCC_Readers!

'Play' by Luke Palmer was a book I did not expect to like but am glad I do. I really enjoyed the stories this book follows however, I was not a big fan of Mark. I found the writing style to be quite fun to read ; I also enjoyed how every protagonist got their at least one chapter from their point of view. My favourite bit was the beginning because of how all the characters were introduced. Overall I really enjoyed the book and I am sad it is finished.

Sophie

Fiction Addiction

The book was very scary at first. I liked it because Matt came out as gay and wasn't ashamed. But I felt very sorry for Matt as he was taking drugs and being threatened by his brother's mysterious friend who uses and exploits kids on social media.

Abigail

St Cath’s Shadowing

Very gritty and realistic to the life of a modern day male teenager. I would recommend reading.

Frederic

Brooke Weston Book Busters

I’d rate Play by Luke Palmer an 8/10. The plot was good and kept me interested, but the ending was a bit weird. One of the things I really liked was how the book switched between different characters' points of view—it made the story more dynamic and gave a deeper understanding of what was happening. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, even if the ending wasn’t what I expected.

Bassit

Ermysted’s

The actions of four boys spin a complex and chaotic web of consequence and effect. As Johnny calls them in his high final moments, this web opens the possibility of many 'rooms', many possible futures that are made by these crucial decisions in the teenage years of Mark, Matt, and Luc - yet Johnny severs any parts of the web leading to his 'rooms' with a drug-clouded decision of his own. While it may seem at the start like too much is going on, all these strands come together in the end for a big finish nobody expected less than me. Busy? Yes. Messy? Most likely. But in the end, it is a story about four boys growing up the hard way, pressured by the world and the decisions that they made, and the way their futures will be affected - a story indeed written messily, but still written very well.

Hanzalah A

Ermysted’s

This book touched my soul, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. I deeply connected with all the characters, they felt so real and now forever will have a special place in my heart.

Lyra

Pittville School