By Luke Palmer (author)
"Skilfully and sensitively voices the concerns and inner lives of young men of today."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
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March 2026 Book of the Month
Shortlisted for both the Branford Boase Award and the Carnegie Medal for Writing , Luke Palmer has a reputation for the way he skilfully and sensitively voices the concerns and inner lives of young men of today and his first novel for Barrington Stoke does just that.
Our narrator Sam believes he knows exactly what makes a man a man: being the strongest, the loudest, the biggest. But when his reckless drive to prove himself a leader and the ‘biggest’ leads to a horrible accident and serious injuries, he’s forced to rethink.
As he looks for ways to put things right, Sam discovers lots he never knew about his best friends and what really matters to them. The more he learns about them, the more he learns about himself and what really makes someone a fulfilled, contented, respected human being.
In signature Barrington Stoke style, this is short and direct, with not a word wasted but it gives readers so much to think about and will spark countless conversations, and maybe more besides.
Award-winning author Luke Palmer masterfully captures the intricate dynamics of teenage friendship in this compelling tale of misadventure, resentment and reconciliation.
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Biggest goes first - always. That's one of the unspoken rules of Kiln, the forbidden waste ground where Sam and his mates hang out. So when Sam comes up with a plan to go sledging on the rust-ridden bonnet of a rotting car, he goes first.
To show the others how it's done.
His mates aren't so keen. But there's no complaining. No backing down. Those are the other rules of Kiln. Even when they lead to disaster.
Will their friendship survive the wreckage that follows, or is it time for the rules to be changed?
Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8.
“It’s the best book of young male friendship I’ve read in years. Gut-wrenching and glorious.” – Keith Gray
Luke Palmer is an award-winning YA author, poet, and secondary school teacher. His debut novel, Grow , was recognized as a Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Year and earned nominations for prestigious awards including the Branford Boase and Carnegie Medals. His follow-up novel, Play , further solidified his reputation, being shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal
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Award-winning author Luke Palmer masterfully captures the intricate dynamics of teenage friendship in this compelling tale of misadventure, resentment and reconciliation. Biggest goes first - always.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Big Words and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-14 years old
Big Words features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for 13+ readers, Books of the Month, Interviews with Authors and Illustrators, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Dyslexia Friendly Books for Interest age 11+, Dyslexia Friendly Books for Teens, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Big Words was written by Luke Palmer and published by Barrington Stoke an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Big Words has 114 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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