Play the Game -- Charlene Allen, Hardcover

From debut author Charlene Allen comes a captivating YA contemporary mystery and coming-of-age story, celebrating the power of friendship, first love, and exploring the criminal justice system from the lens of restorative justice. Perfect for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, and Maureen Johnson.

In the game of life, sometimes other people hold all the controls. Or so it seems to VZ. Four months have passed since his best friend Ed was killed by a white man in a Brooklyn parking lot.

When Singer, the man who killed Ed, is found dead in the same spot where Ed was murdered, all signs point to Jack, VZ's other best friend, as the prime suspect.

VZ's determined to complete the video game Ed never finished and figure out who actually killed Singer. With help from Diamond, the girl he's crushing on at work, VZ falls into Ed's quirky gameiverse. As the police close in on Jack, the game starts to uncover details that could lead to the truth about the murder.

Can VZ honor Ed and help Jack before it's too late?

Author: Charlene Allen
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Published: 01/31/2023
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9780063212794
Age Range: 13-UP

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2022
Booklist 11/01/2022 pg. 86
Publishers Weekly 11/28/2022