When I Was the Greatest

Kids, Teen, Social Issues, General Fiction, Fiction - YA
Cover of the book When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost, Atheneum Books for Young Readers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost ISBN: 9781442459496
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Publication: January 7, 2014
Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Language: English
Author: Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
ISBN: 9781442459496
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication: January 7, 2014
Imprint: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Language: English

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 that Publishers Weekly calls “a funny and rewarding read” 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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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 that Publishers Weekly calls “a funny and rewarding read” 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.

More books from Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Cover of the book Lost and Found by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Three Little Words by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Bunnicula by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book A Nearer Moon by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book The Legendary Miss Lena Horne by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book The Runner by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Beatrice's Goat by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Simon's New Bed by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Albert's Ballgame by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book The Backwards Birthday Party by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Also Known as Elvis by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book To Be a Cat by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book One Small Blue Bead by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
Cover of the book Stella by Starlight by Jason Reynolds, Michael Frost
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy