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THE PLAY: A Story of Broken Pasts, Brave Voices and Second Chances
Harry Groves was ten years old when the world decided he didn’t matter.
At school, he was the kid everyone picked on. At home, he was the kid who learned to stay quiet when fists flew and bottles smashed. He was hungry more often than not, exhausted all the time, and somehow still expected to protect the one person who mattered more than anything else — his seven-year-old autistic little sister, Sara, and her one-eyed teddy bear, Bear.
Sara didn’t understand the shouting, the chaos, or why home never felt safe. She didn’t understand fear the way Harry did. But Harry understood it all too well, and he learned quickly that if he didn’t stand between her and the world, nobody else would.
Then came the day everything changed.
The day Harry lost Sara at the hands of the very people who were meant to keep her safe.
Her death didn’t just break him — it lit a fuse.
Years later, carrying grief like a constant ache in his chest and clinging to his promise to look after Bear, Harry finds a way to turn pain into purpose. What starts as a fragile idea becomes something bigger than he ever THE PLAY© — a raw, fearless youth musical where kids like him don’t sit quietly at the back anymore. They step into the spotlight. They rehearse. They sing, dance and perform. And, for the first time, they are truly heard.
But THE PLAY© is more than a performance.
Built into the heart of the project are trauma-informed mental health workshops, giving young people safe, structured spaces to talk about what they’re carrying — bullying, cyberbullying, racism, loneliness, domestic violence, gangs, knife carrying, antisocial behaviour, grief, anxiety, anger, and the desperate need to belong. Through creativity, shared experience, and guided support, the cast begin to understand themselves and each other in ways that school, social services, and the system never managed.
Told in Harry’s raw, funny and heartbreakingly honest voice, THE PLAY© is the first book in a powerful YA series where every cast member has a story worth telling — and every story matters. It’s about broken kids finding strength, about chosen family, and about learning that survival doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
With two live productions of the musical already completed and the project gaining momentum far beyond the page, THE PLAY© is no longer just a novel — it’s a movement, and one that is destined to be a future TV drama.
This is a story about pain, yes — but more than that, it’s about hope, courage, and what can happen when young people are finally given the space to speak.
Once the curtain rises, there’s no going back.
At school, he was the kid everyone picked on. At home, he was the kid who learned to stay quiet when fists flew and bottles smashed. He was hungry more often than not, exhausted all the time, and somehow still expected to protect the one person who mattered more than anything else — his seven-year-old autistic little sister, Sara, and her one-eyed teddy bear, Bear.
Sara didn’t understand the shouting, the chaos, or why home never felt safe. She didn’t understand fear the way Harry did. But Harry understood it all too well, and he learned quickly that if he didn’t stand between her and the world, nobody else would.
Then came the day everything changed.
The day Harry lost Sara at the hands of the very people who were meant to keep her safe.
Her death didn’t just break him — it lit a fuse.
Years later, carrying grief like a constant ache in his chest and clinging to his promise to look after Bear, Harry finds a way to turn pain into purpose. What starts as a fragile idea becomes something bigger than he ever THE PLAY© — a raw, fearless youth musical where kids like him don’t sit quietly at the back anymore. They step into the spotlight. They rehearse. They sing, dance and perform. And, for the first time, they are truly heard.
But THE PLAY© is more than a performance.
Built into the heart of the project are trauma-informed mental health workshops, giving young people safe, structured spaces to talk about what they’re carrying — bullying, cyberbullying, racism, loneliness, domestic violence, gangs, knife carrying, antisocial behaviour, grief, anxiety, anger, and the desperate need to belong. Through creativity, shared experience, and guided support, the cast begin to understand themselves and each other in ways that school, social services, and the system never managed.
Told in Harry’s raw, funny and heartbreakingly honest voice, THE PLAY© is the first book in a powerful YA series where every cast member has a story worth telling — and every story matters. It’s about broken kids finding strength, about chosen family, and about learning that survival doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
With two live productions of the musical already completed and the project gaining momentum far beyond the page, THE PLAY© is no longer just a novel — it’s a movement, and one that is destined to be a future TV drama.
This is a story about pain, yes — but more than that, it’s about hope, courage, and what can happen when young people are finally given the space to speak.
Once the curtain rises, there’s no going back.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 10, 2026
The Play was such a beautifully written and incredibly heartfelt read. I honestly still can’t believe this is a YA novel because of how deeply it tackled so many dark and emotional issues with such care and honesty. It felt raw, powerful and painfully real at times, and I found myself becoming completely invested in the characters and their stories.
What stood out most to me was how the book highlights the battles so many young people are quietly facing every single day without many of us even realising. Brian Montgomery handled these themes with so much compassion, showing both the struggles and the strength it takes to keep going. It never felt overdramatic, instead, it felt genuine and incredibly moving.
The characters were wonderfully developed and felt so authentic throughout. Their emotions, relationships and personal journeys were written in a way that made it impossible not to care about them. Harry and Sara especially completely broke my heart. Their story was emotional, unforgettable and had me feeling genuinely teary, especially towards the ending.
What stood out most to me was how the book highlights the battles so many young people are quietly facing every single day without many of us even realising. Brian Montgomery handled these themes with so much compassion, showing both the struggles and the strength it takes to keep going. It never felt overdramatic, instead, it felt genuine and incredibly moving.
The characters were wonderfully developed and felt so authentic throughout. Their emotions, relationships and personal journeys were written in a way that made it impossible not to care about them. Harry and Sara especially completely broke my heart. Their story was emotional, unforgettable and had me feeling genuinely teary, especially towards the ending.
April 29, 2026
I don’t often opt in to read Young Adult books, but something drew me in this and I now believe that every young adult and teen should have access to this book. This was raw and packed a punch but it was hopeful, inspiring and empowering.
It didn’t take long for the book to tug on my heart strings, I wanted to reach in and protect the children so badly. But as you read on you could feel the hope creeping back in and the book then became a celebration. Diversity and inclusion really is celebrated in The Play, it has an important message about how everyone has the right to be the person they want to be.
This is such a relevant read too, highlighting the troubles our young people face today with social media, identities, appearances and family life to name a few. Which is why I think this would be a vital book to have in our schools.
Such a clever concept by Brian Montgomery and we are only just beginning as more cast member stories will be shared.
It didn’t take long for the book to tug on my heart strings, I wanted to reach in and protect the children so badly. But as you read on you could feel the hope creeping back in and the book then became a celebration. Diversity and inclusion really is celebrated in The Play, it has an important message about how everyone has the right to be the person they want to be.
This is such a relevant read too, highlighting the troubles our young people face today with social media, identities, appearances and family life to name a few. Which is why I think this would be a vital book to have in our schools.
Such a clever concept by Brian Montgomery and we are only just beginning as more cast member stories will be shared.
May 9, 2026
The first half of this book was great. I felt deeply for Harry and his sister as he described the awful abuse they endured. There were several times when I teared up reading of the losses and violence he endured. I was also emotional in a good way as he described the relationship he was able to forge with his grandmother and the way he rebuilt his emotional well being.
The second half was a bit of a slog for me. This is where the focus was more on the play itself. I didn’t find I was that interested in the detailed descriptions of the scenes, etc. I think the book could have been shortened without losing the concept. This may be a me issue and other people may truly enjoy this part.
The concept of the play is an amazing one and I do hope the author is able to keep producing these and finding a space for kids to feel safe and connected.
I do look forward to reading other cast member’s back stories.
This is YA so some of the writing is very simplistic.
3.5 stars.
The second half was a bit of a slog for me. This is where the focus was more on the play itself. I didn’t find I was that interested in the detailed descriptions of the scenes, etc. I think the book could have been shortened without losing the concept. This may be a me issue and other people may truly enjoy this part.
The concept of the play is an amazing one and I do hope the author is able to keep producing these and finding a space for kids to feel safe and connected.
I do look forward to reading other cast member’s back stories.
This is YA so some of the writing is very simplistic.
3.5 stars.
May 7, 2026
The Play was such a special and heartfelt book. It was a wonderful story and I enjoyed the concept. It tackled issues that are so relevant for young adults. No one should never feel unsafe ever. The cover has a group of kids and a teddy bear on it. I thought it worked really well and it was designed perfectly. The writing is really good and the story flowed so well. I enjoyed the setting too. The characters were incredibly special. They were extremely well thought out and developed. Harry and Sara broke my heart. Their story was incredibly moving and it genuinely made me cry. I definitely recommend this!
May 18, 2026
Here is my review for The Play by Brian Montgomery
I found this raw story about Harry Groves, aged ten, and his sister, Sara, aged seven, who lived with their parents who used drugs and drink regularly, as well as physically abusing both their children. Even throwing them around the room! Harry was, also, a target for the bullies at school who called him names as well as physically attacking him. As well as other kids who stood out at school. There was never any food at home so Harry would scavenge what he could for Sara and himself. He promised Sara and Bear that things would get better but he suffered the worst day of his life before he could keep his promise and he lost the most precious person close to him. This was a very hard and harrowing story to read which brought tears to my eyes. It’s a personal journey of a young boy who has no friends and nowhere to turn. He's finally recognised by social services and put into the care system. This is a brilliantly written story that is well explained and well worth reading. A lot of thought has been put into this powerful piece of emotional writing.
Blurb :
Harry Groves was ten years old when the world decided he didn't matter.
At school, he was the kid everyone picked on. At home, he was the kid who learned to stay quiet when fists flew and bottles smashed. He was hungry more often than not, exhausted all the time, and somehow still expected to protect the one person who mattered more than anything else - his seven-year-old autistic little sister, Sara, and her one-eyed teddy bear, Bear.
Sara didn't understand the shouting, the chaos, or why home never felt safe. She didn't understand fear the way Harry did. But Harry understood it all too well, and he learned quickly that if he didn't stand between her and the world, nobody else would.
Then came the day everything changed.
The day Harry lost Sara at the hands of the very people who were meant to keep her safe.
Her death didn't just break him - it lit a fuse.
Years later, carrying grief like a constant ache in his chest and clinging to his promise to look after Bear, Harry finds a way to turn pain into purpose. What starts as a fragile idea becomes something bigger than he ever imagined: THE PLAY© - a raw, fearless youth musical where kids like him don't sit quietly at the back anymore. They step into the spotlight. They rehearse. They sing. They dance. They perform. And, for the first time, they are truly heard.
But THE PLAY© is more than a performance.
Built into the heart of the project are trauma-informed mental health workshops, giving young people safe, structured spaces to talk about what they're carrying - bullying, cyberbullying, racism, loneliness, domestic violence, gangs, antisocial behaviour, grief, anxiety, anger, and the desperate need to belong. Through creativity, shared experience, and guided support, the cast begin to understand themselves and each other in ways that school, social services, and the system never managed.
Told in Harry's raw, funny and heartbreakingly honest voice, THE PLAY© is the first book in a powerful YA series where every cast member has a story worth telling - and every story matters. It's about broken kids finding strength, about chosen family, and about learning that survival doesn't have to be the end of the story.
With two live productions already completed and the project gaining momentum far beyond the page, THE PLAY© is no longer just a novel - it's a movement, and one that is already attracting serious interest as a future TV drama.
This is a story about pain, yes - but more than that, it's about hope, courage, and what can happen when young people are finally given the space to speak.
Once the curtain rises, there's no going back.
I found this raw story about Harry Groves, aged ten, and his sister, Sara, aged seven, who lived with their parents who used drugs and drink regularly, as well as physically abusing both their children. Even throwing them around the room! Harry was, also, a target for the bullies at school who called him names as well as physically attacking him. As well as other kids who stood out at school. There was never any food at home so Harry would scavenge what he could for Sara and himself. He promised Sara and Bear that things would get better but he suffered the worst day of his life before he could keep his promise and he lost the most precious person close to him. This was a very hard and harrowing story to read which brought tears to my eyes. It’s a personal journey of a young boy who has no friends and nowhere to turn. He's finally recognised by social services and put into the care system. This is a brilliantly written story that is well explained and well worth reading. A lot of thought has been put into this powerful piece of emotional writing.
Blurb :
Harry Groves was ten years old when the world decided he didn't matter.
At school, he was the kid everyone picked on. At home, he was the kid who learned to stay quiet when fists flew and bottles smashed. He was hungry more often than not, exhausted all the time, and somehow still expected to protect the one person who mattered more than anything else - his seven-year-old autistic little sister, Sara, and her one-eyed teddy bear, Bear.
Sara didn't understand the shouting, the chaos, or why home never felt safe. She didn't understand fear the way Harry did. But Harry understood it all too well, and he learned quickly that if he didn't stand between her and the world, nobody else would.
Then came the day everything changed.
The day Harry lost Sara at the hands of the very people who were meant to keep her safe.
Her death didn't just break him - it lit a fuse.
Years later, carrying grief like a constant ache in his chest and clinging to his promise to look after Bear, Harry finds a way to turn pain into purpose. What starts as a fragile idea becomes something bigger than he ever imagined: THE PLAY© - a raw, fearless youth musical where kids like him don't sit quietly at the back anymore. They step into the spotlight. They rehearse. They sing. They dance. They perform. And, for the first time, they are truly heard.
But THE PLAY© is more than a performance.
Built into the heart of the project are trauma-informed mental health workshops, giving young people safe, structured spaces to talk about what they're carrying - bullying, cyberbullying, racism, loneliness, domestic violence, gangs, antisocial behaviour, grief, anxiety, anger, and the desperate need to belong. Through creativity, shared experience, and guided support, the cast begin to understand themselves and each other in ways that school, social services, and the system never managed.
Told in Harry's raw, funny and heartbreakingly honest voice, THE PLAY© is the first book in a powerful YA series where every cast member has a story worth telling - and every story matters. It's about broken kids finding strength, about chosen family, and about learning that survival doesn't have to be the end of the story.
With two live productions already completed and the project gaining momentum far beyond the page, THE PLAY© is no longer just a novel - it's a movement, and one that is already attracting serious interest as a future TV drama.
This is a story about pain, yes - but more than that, it's about hope, courage, and what can happen when young people are finally given the space to speak.
Once the curtain rises, there's no going back.
February 20, 2026
The Play: Harry’s Story by Brian Montgomery follows Harry Groves from a brutal childhood in a violent, neglectful home through years of bullying at school and then into the creation of “The Play”, a grassroots musical project that turns his pain, and the pain of his friends, into something hopeful and loud. The book moves from Harry’s life with his little sister Sara, through her death at the hands of their parents, into foster care, healing, and eventually a youth-led performance movement that tackles bullying, racism, homophobia, transphobia and mental health head on, both on stage and in real life. It starts in a damp social housing unit and ends on the road with a touring show and an epilogue that stresses survival, persistence, and responsibility to the next generation.
Reading it, I felt like I was being dragged into a storm right alongside Harry. The early chapters are very emotional. The scenes of abuse at home and the cruelty at school are not softened. They feel raw and, at times, hard to look at. I found myself angry at the adults who look away, and at the same time very protective of Harry and Sara. The moment when Sara dies, and Harry learns what happened in that small office at school, left my stomach in knots. The writing there is simple, direct, and emotional, and that choice makes it land even more. Later, when Harry begins to write “for Sara” and then turns that grief into a musical project, I felt a real lift. The book does not pretend that art magically fixes everything. It shows a long, messy grind full of small wins and big setbacks, which made Harry’s eventual success feel earned rather than easy.
I also connected with the way the book treats the wider cast and the bigger ideas. The bullying in this story is not one-note. It covers racism, religious abuse, queerphobia, class, disability, and online cruelty, and it lets those kids have voices, songs, and arcs instead of keeping them as background. Chapters like “Bullies Not Welcome Here,” “Redemption”, and “The Reformed Trio” shift the lens and allow room for change and accountability, even for characters like Mathew Jones and Liam Harris, who start as almost pure villains. That choice won me over. It shows how harm comes from systems and pain, not only from “bad kids”. I liked the mix of prose, bits of lyrics, and the behind-the-scenes feel of building a show. Sometimes the narration tells me what to feel instead of trusting the scene, but the honesty behind it comes through so strongly that I was willing to go with it.
By the time I reached the epilogue, with Harry looking back on the funding fights, the rejections, and the moment he turns down a big film deal to protect the “heart” of The Play, I felt proud of him. The project has grown into something bigger than one boy’s story. It becomes a touring movement that belongs to every young person who steps on stage or sits in the audience and finally feels seen. That final note of “still standing” feels earned.
I would recommend The Play: Harry’s Story to teens and adults who want a frank and heartfelt story about abuse, bullying, grief, and recovery, and who can handle some very heavy scenes along the way. It’s a good fit for youth workers, teachers, and parents who want to understand what some kids are living through, and for young readers who feel invisible or silenced and need to see that their stories matter and can be turned into something powerful and public. If you are ready for a story that hurts, then reaches for hope and community and the power of performance, this book is worth your time.
Reading it, I felt like I was being dragged into a storm right alongside Harry. The early chapters are very emotional. The scenes of abuse at home and the cruelty at school are not softened. They feel raw and, at times, hard to look at. I found myself angry at the adults who look away, and at the same time very protective of Harry and Sara. The moment when Sara dies, and Harry learns what happened in that small office at school, left my stomach in knots. The writing there is simple, direct, and emotional, and that choice makes it land even more. Later, when Harry begins to write “for Sara” and then turns that grief into a musical project, I felt a real lift. The book does not pretend that art magically fixes everything. It shows a long, messy grind full of small wins and big setbacks, which made Harry’s eventual success feel earned rather than easy.
I also connected with the way the book treats the wider cast and the bigger ideas. The bullying in this story is not one-note. It covers racism, religious abuse, queerphobia, class, disability, and online cruelty, and it lets those kids have voices, songs, and arcs instead of keeping them as background. Chapters like “Bullies Not Welcome Here,” “Redemption”, and “The Reformed Trio” shift the lens and allow room for change and accountability, even for characters like Mathew Jones and Liam Harris, who start as almost pure villains. That choice won me over. It shows how harm comes from systems and pain, not only from “bad kids”. I liked the mix of prose, bits of lyrics, and the behind-the-scenes feel of building a show. Sometimes the narration tells me what to feel instead of trusting the scene, but the honesty behind it comes through so strongly that I was willing to go with it.
By the time I reached the epilogue, with Harry looking back on the funding fights, the rejections, and the moment he turns down a big film deal to protect the “heart” of The Play, I felt proud of him. The project has grown into something bigger than one boy’s story. It becomes a touring movement that belongs to every young person who steps on stage or sits in the audience and finally feels seen. That final note of “still standing” feels earned.
I would recommend The Play: Harry’s Story to teens and adults who want a frank and heartfelt story about abuse, bullying, grief, and recovery, and who can handle some very heavy scenes along the way. It’s a good fit for youth workers, teachers, and parents who want to understand what some kids are living through, and for young readers who feel invisible or silenced and need to see that their stories matter and can be turned into something powerful and public. If you are ready for a story that hurts, then reaches for hope and community and the power of performance, this book is worth your time.
April 27, 2026
I think this book should go on school reading lists immediately.
I think this covers just about everything bad that can possibly happen to a child. Harry is just ten years old, and understands the pain and the shouting and the hunger better than his little sister Sara. Until the worst happens, and his parents break her beyond repair.
Harry vows to look after Sara's favourite toy, a one eyed teddy called Bear.
Then when he reaches adulthood he vows to do something, and creates a play, featuring all those kids left in the Shadows.
It sounds heartbreaking and if you're unaffected by the subject, you have a hard heart. However its not depressing or sad, its actually uplifting and really quite wonderful. What has been created is special. With 2 performances to date, I hope it gains momentum at incredible speed and hundreds of thousands of kids get to experience this. There's related workshops related to mental health and around the issues they face.
Really very moved by this.
I think this covers just about everything bad that can possibly happen to a child. Harry is just ten years old, and understands the pain and the shouting and the hunger better than his little sister Sara. Until the worst happens, and his parents break her beyond repair.
Harry vows to look after Sara's favourite toy, a one eyed teddy called Bear.
Then when he reaches adulthood he vows to do something, and creates a play, featuring all those kids left in the Shadows.
It sounds heartbreaking and if you're unaffected by the subject, you have a hard heart. However its not depressing or sad, its actually uplifting and really quite wonderful. What has been created is special. With 2 performances to date, I hope it gains momentum at incredible speed and hundreds of thousands of kids get to experience this. There's related workshops related to mental health and around the issues they face.
Really very moved by this.
May 1, 2026
This is such a powerful book, especially for young people. The book challenges so many areas of young people's lives and what they must cope with. From their inner demons to external differences, and everything in between, this book looks at all the ways people are treated differently, looked down on, held on pedestals or bullied. It is about taking in the whole picture and really seeing what is happening everywhere around you. The author has the young people really find themselves and their voices, through the play and they begin to see that each difference can be celebrated and they can find their own crowd of people who really support and lift them up.
I liked the overall message a lot, and I also really like the style or writing as I think it is aimed at the intended crowd really well. It isn't too pushy or cringe so that most young adults would really enjoy reading and would take on the message as well. This is a book young adults really need to read.
I liked the overall message a lot, and I also really like the style or writing as I think it is aimed at the intended crowd really well. It isn't too pushy or cringe so that most young adults would really enjoy reading and would take on the message as well. This is a book young adults really need to read.
April 29, 2026
This book should go on the front shelves of all school libraries, if you ask me. It should also be available at every local library. And, maybe, just maybe, it's worth adding it to the list of books that are recommended for teens at schools.
The book feels real and raw. It's not cute and fuzzy. It's not your usual pseudo-teaching and pseudo-inspirational "book for kids" written by old people who were young like a few centuries (lol ok, decades, but centuries sound way more fun and dramatic) ago, and their writing feels forced and fake-young, THIS IS NOT THAT KIND OF BOOK.
The book is filled with real-life struggles and triumphs, diverse perspectives, and it's a powerful reminder of the importance of community, acceptance, and the healing power of storytelling.
It's emotionally intense. It's empowering. It's transformative.
May 12, 2026
This is such a hard hitting read, brutal in parts but also tells the reality of bully and abusive and the heartbreak that comes with it.
Harry and Sara have a terrifying childhood and after an horrific childhood incident we see Harry having to deal with the aftermath at such a young age.
There are tough subjects covered in this book but I think they are important to be brought to the forefront of our thoughts.
As Harry gets older we get to see lightness and joy come into his life, you feel the warmth coming through, the way the book is written shows humour and wit and at the end I felt it was an uplifting read.
An amazing piece of work and something that says with the reader, such an important story to be told and lessons learnt.
Harry and Sara have a terrifying childhood and after an horrific childhood incident we see Harry having to deal with the aftermath at such a young age.
There are tough subjects covered in this book but I think they are important to be brought to the forefront of our thoughts.
As Harry gets older we get to see lightness and joy come into his life, you feel the warmth coming through, the way the book is written shows humour and wit and at the end I felt it was an uplifting read.
An amazing piece of work and something that says with the reader, such an important story to be told and lessons learnt.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews