MTS Northwood

Play
Play by Luke Palmer is a serious book about teenage friendship and growing up in a small town. The book shows the lives of four boys - Matt, Mark, Luc, and Johnny - and how they deal with matters that most adults encounter, such as finding who they are, peer pressure, and the choice of doing bad things. Palmer's text is real and realistic in depicting how adolescent boys talk and act. All the characters are elaborated, with unique personalities, problems, and motivations, and are easy to relate to. The novel shows the tough topics of drug addiction and harmful attitudes toward being a man, and does so realistically, showing the real problems young people are faced with. The text is also reviewed for focusing on male friendships, the influence (or absence) of the fathers, as well as pressures from others. It further provides insight into the ways the boys adapt to living conditions and into the challenging decisions they take that often have worse consequences. Some readers find that the tale slows at certain points, but the book is worthwhile because of its characters, emotional messages, and positive messages. The ending is dramatic and piques my interest. Overall, Play is a novel that offers a close-up view of the lives of teenage boys. It's best read by mature teens , especially those who are interested in the subjects of masculinity, friendship, and the teen struggle.

Shaurjesh

The Things We Leave Behind
The Things We Leave Behind, by Claire Furniss, is a brilliant read about the refugee crisis. Living in London, Clem and her sister Prim need to flee as a totalitarian regime holds all the power. They escape up the country by road, and then to Scotland in a car and in a boat! This heartbreaking read will wrench you in half. However, is contains quite mature themes and language. Overall, though, it is an amazing read, with many twists and turns contained within the plot. I definitely recommend it.

Zachary