When I Was the Greatest

In Bed Stuy, New York, a small misunderstanding can escalate into having a price on your head—even if you’re totally clean. This gritty, triumphant debut captures the heart and the hardship of life for an urban teen.

A lot of the stuff that gives my neighborhood a bad name, I don’t really mess with. The guns and drugs and all that, not really my thing.

Nah, not his thing. Ali’s got enough going on, between school and boxing and helping out at home. His best friend Noodles, though. Now there’s a dude looking for trouble—and, somehow, it’s always Ali around to pick up the pieces. But, hey, a guy’s gotta look out for his boys, right? Besides, it’s all small potatoes; it’s not like anyone’s getting hurt.

And then there’s Needles. Needles is Noodles’s brother. He’s got a syndrome, and gets these ticks and blurts out the wildest, craziest things. It’s cool, though: everyone on their street knows he doesn’t mean anything by it.

Yeah, it’s cool…until Ali and Noodles and Needles find themselves somewhere they never expected to be…somewhere they never should've been—where the people aren't so friendly, and even less forgiving.

I love this book

On the recommendation of a friend, I bought this book without expecting that much, since contemporary fiction isn't really my thing. this absolutely blew me away. This raw and gritty coming of age story was so moving I'm still digesting it days later. Easily the best book I've read this yeat.

loved it

good story fantastic memorable interesting nice amazing cool terrific sad and overwhelming and favorite story

Good book

One of my favorite Jason Reynolds books. This is all my first audio book and I can say it was a great choice.

Excellent

I am from Brooklyn and I can relate to the story, sometimes it made me feel like I was watching a story. thank you it was great.
can wait for the next book

A must read for boys!

Absolutely loved this novel because it is both entertaining and informative regarding turrets syndrome. Also a great story about defending those who can't defend themselves. I'm sure not just boys will enjoy this novel.