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Big Words
- Author
- Luke Palmer
- Narrator
- Louis Hill
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 12 March 2026
- Run Time
- 1 hour 58 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
What to expect
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. That’s one of the unspoken rules of Kiln, the forbidden wasteland 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.
Critics Review
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"A very important book for teenage boys to read. Puts teen bravado under a microscope and gently peels off layers of toxic masculinity. Huge impact in a short amount of words." — Nathanael Lessore
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"Palmer understands the vulnerabilities and insecurities of young men without ever getting preachy or sentimental about it; this is another excellent addition to his body of work." — The Irish Times
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"This is a gritty yet deeply sensitive portrayal of male teenage friendships, and the pressures that come with it. With its accessible style and authentic, well-developed characters, Big Words packs a lot into is 120 pages." — The Scotsman
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"Luke Palmer has a reputation for the way he skilfully and sensitively voices the concerns and inner lives of young men of today … 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." — LoveReading4Kids
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"This compelling, accessible, dyslexia-friendly story of male friendship packs a huge amount into just over 100 pages. The main focus is on perceptions of masculinity and how putting on an act can be used as a means of self-protection, but it also touches on toxic parenting and inherited or learned patterns of behaviour." – BookTrust
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"Luke’s books are so important for teen readers and Big Words is another powerful, essential read. Luke’s writing is always so authentic and I’ve said before that I wish I had his books when I was a teen as he beautifully captures the complexities of male teen friendships … Gritty yet sensitive, Big Words shows the true power of how we can feel big about ourselves, it’s a must-have from Luke!" — Check 'Em Out Books, blog
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Details
- Author
- Luke Palmer
- Narrator
- Louis Hill
- Duration
- 1 hour 58 minutes
- Release Date
- 12 March 2026
- ISBN
- 9780008801274
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories
Synopsis
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. That’s one of the unspoken rules of Kiln, the forbidden wasteland 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.
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