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When I Was the Greatest
Winner - Indie Book Award
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 7,416 ratings, 1,151 reviews)
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When I Was the Greatest
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See moreFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds, a coming-of-age novel about friendship and loyalty across neighbourhood lines and the hardship of life for an urban teen - illustrated for the first time by award-winning illustrator, Akhran Girmay.
From the Carnegie and UKLA winning author, a coming-of-age novel about friendship and loyalty across neighbourhood lines - illustrated by award-winner, Akhran Girmay.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
A lot of the stuff that gives my neighbourhood 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.
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.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Jason Reynolds offers a compelling urban fiction narrative that's both humorous and poignant, as noted in a review that highlights its rewarding nature. Another review praises the book's exploration of family, friendship, and loyalty, showcasing the powerful themes woven throughout the story.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780571369645
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 17 February 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Faber & Faber
Edition: Main
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Akhran Girmay
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 200.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 20.0mm
Weight: 305g
Pages: 272
About the Author
Jason Reynolds is a critically acclaimed and multi award winning writer and poet. He currently holds the position of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature in the US, and is the author of several books including All American Boys, Boy in the Black Suit and the Carnegie Medal award winning Run series. Born in Washington, DC and raised in neighbouring Oxon Hill, Maryland, Reynolds found inspiration in rap to begin writing poetry at nine years old. He focused on poetry for approximately the next two decades, only reading a novel cover to cover for the first time at age 17. Long Way Down was Jason's first novel to be published in the UK.
jasonwritesbooks.com
@jasonreynolds83
Akhran Girmay is a FAB Prize winning illustrator. His illustrated edition of the award-winning All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely is publishing in 2021. Akhran lives in Bristol.
akhrangirmay.com
@akhran_girmay
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