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When I Was the Greatest
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
34 posts | 40 read | 15 to read
In Bed Stuy, New York, a small misunderstanding can escalate into having a price on your headeven if youre 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 dont really mess with. The guns and drugs and all that, not really my thing. Nah, not his thing. Alis got enough going on, between school and boxing and helping out at home. His best friend Noodles, though. Now theres a dude looking for troubleand, somehow, its always Ali around to pick up the pieces. But, hey, a guys gotta look out for his boys, right? Besides, its all small potatoes; its not like anyones getting hurt. And then theres Needles. Needles is Noodless brother. Hes got a syndrome, and gets these ticks and blurts out the wildest, craziest things. Its cool, though: everyone on their street knows he doesnt mean anything by it. Yeah, its cooluntil Ali and Noodles and Needles find themselves somewhere they never expected to besomewhere they never should've beenwhere the people arent so friendly, and even less forgiving.
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Eggs
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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I am now duly reminded of why I love Jason Reynolds so much. His characters are so credible and authentic! His books can engage even the most reluctant readers. Teen Ali and his pals, Noodles and Needles, live in Bed-Stuy in NYC. (Needles has Tourette‘s, so Ali‘s mom teaches him how to knit - it helps with the tics and outbursts.) It‘s a coming-of-age story, laced with danger. The interconnectedness of the characters is a work of art.

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 3mo
Eggs @DieAReader 🥰🤗🤩 3mo
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TheSpineView Fabulous! 3mo
Eggs @TheSpineView ❤️📚🤩 3mo
Anna40 Love this author so much 3mo
Eggs @Anna40 🙌🏻🙌🏻 3mo
52 likes1 stack add7 comments
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mahala28
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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this book tells a great story of life and friendship

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terracollichio
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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CRF

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jdowney
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Contemporary non-fiction

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katifurrey
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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contemporary realistic fiction

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Mboyd28
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Loved

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Emitalski
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
Mehso-so

Three teenage boys in Brooklyn, New York. Navigating the hardships of life when your parents are not always supportive. Experiencing life and how to heal within your family and how friends can be family too.

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emmadomo
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Mehayla‘s book

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Melismatic
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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This YA book was a bit tamer than I was expecting but it covered a lot of tough topics - health, sex, violence - in a way that was realistic for teens without being graphic. #AuthorAMonth

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staci.reads
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Ive read a few of Jason Reynolds's books before and have always been impressed. My favorite is still All American Boys, though. This one was for July #AuthorAMonth, and while it is my least favorite I've read of his, it's still great. Excellent characterization! @Soubhiville

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elisebarker
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Mehso-so

I feel like this book was really simple. I didn‘t know until later that it‘s a book more for kids because I listened to it. I think everything was too neat.

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Hooked_on_books
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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This is such a simple book that It would be easy to explain the entire plot in one sentence. But its simplicity is why it works and how it feels so real. It delves into the meaning of friendship, loyalty, family, and love. It‘s tremendous. This is my second read from Reynolds and I‘m a believer.

Suet624 I love Reynolds. 4y
Lindy @Suet624 Me too. 👍 4y
49 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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sarahgreatlove
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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I may have a slightly unhealthy obsession with Jason Reynolds 🤣😍 but this was the first of his books I read and I loved it. The audiobook is great, the narration is wonderful and while it‘s got it‘s serious moments there were also plenty that were just FUNNY. Especially the scene in the yarn shop. I look forward to reading more of his stories. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Emily92Bibliophile
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Finished this one last night. MAN what a writer. Such a heartfelt and powerful story.

MandaMT This was the first of his books that I read. It‘s such a good one! 4y
Emily92Bibliophile So cool! I loved it. The Track series were my first ! 4y
12 likes2 comments
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MaggieCarr
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Forgot to photograph until I was parking at the library to return it LOL

The trio in this book aren't perfect, but they problem-solve, communicate with their parents (a little late but...) and allow readers to simply find themselves reflected in a book character. Their community motto: 'always take care of those you love' is tested, is faithful, and is forgiveness.

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owen_willl_do_it
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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I just started this new book yesterday I didn‘t read much of it yet it but so far so good i am very interested in it so far it makes good connections to a lot of different people

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AmberWB
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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I have yet to be let down by anything Jason Reynolds has written. This one had an ominous feel to it that became stronger and stronger until everything came to a head. While I did feel as if the story ended a bit abruptly, I enjoyed the book overall and was really drawn to the stories of Ali, Needles and Noodles.

ReadingRover I love this one. Needles ♥️ 5y
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MsLeah8417
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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🌟🌟🌟🌟

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hes7
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Very good.

Book 3 finished. #24in48 #24B4Monday

ReadingRover I think this is one of my favorites by Jason Reynolds. 5y
BeansPage This book cover now makes me want a colorful crochet case for my Glock 17 😂😂😂 5y
119 likes1 stack add2 comments
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hes7
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Dinner & more audio. #24in48 #24B4Monday

Sungirl79 Yum!! 5y
103 likes1 comment
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hes7
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Time to get out of the house for a run with audio. #24in48 #24B4Monday

CareBear How gorgeous 😍 5y
Pricel101 Inspiring! 👟📚✌ 5y
Kaye 🌟 5y
Wife 🌹 5y
105 likes4 comments
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hes7
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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A snack-y lunch & a new audiobook. #24in48 #24B4Monday #24B4MondayGiveaway

BeansPage OMG that looks so yummy!!! Thank you for sharing with us sweetheart 🤗🤗🤗 5y
Sharpeipup Are those #tatertots ? @MrBook (edited) 5y
Andrew65 Okay starting to make me hungry now! 🤣 Good luck with the giveaway! 5y
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Princess-Kingofkings I've got to ask ~ what kind of pickle? 5y
sprainedbrain Going to check the freezer for tater tots. 😂 5y
Tamra Good grief, three delicious items that tick off all my tasty boxes! 5y
100 likes6 comments
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Ashley31
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Book snuggles 💙💙💙 #dogsoflitsy

Peddler410 This is on my list. 5y
Ashley31 It‘s been good so far @Peddler410 I love Jason Reynolds‘ writing 5y
22 likes2 comments
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MandaMT
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Jason Reynolds posted this fan art on Twitter recently. Made me tear up remembering this scene. Such a great book!

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Wbabdullah
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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It was so nice to wake up this morning and finish this—Jason Reynold‘s first book. If you are a knitter, into diverse reads, social justice, spectrum disorders, urban black studies, esp. regarding youth, you‘ll appreciate this. I‘ve read a few of his works but now am committed to reading all of the author‘s works. I now know why the title is as it is, but why does the cover clearly feature a crocheted gun rather than a knitted one?! 🤦🏽‍♀️🤣😂☺️

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Wbabdullah
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Met Jason Reynolds yesterday and had been wanting to meet him since I learned about him here! He‘s from my neighborhood, and is really up and coming! Anywho, I had some questions and he gave me my next #TBR.
1. Jesmyn Ward
2. The Young Landlords
3. Brave Boy by Richard Wright

Read more about the day with my blog link below👇🏽

Wbabdullah Http://wbabdullah.wordpress.com/2017/11/25/circular-Saturday/ 6y
Wbabdullah Please do leave a comment on the blog and here if you like what you read about my Saturday!! I love comments! 6y
28 likes2 comments
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Wbabdullah
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Currently reading this book and got to meet the author yesterday at #smallbusinesssaturday. Here‘s part of our book haul—though I must admit that I bought the books so I could get the bag...and autographs! It was my first time in a bookstore in like 5-6 years! I know my limits, folks. To read more about the day and this reunion of sorts, check my blog link in the comments 👇🏽

BookMaven407 I ❤️ Politics and Prose! 6y
Wbabdullah Http://wbabdullah.wordpress.com/2017/11/25/circular-Saturday/ 6y
Wbabdullah @BookMaven407 me too! And I hadn‘t been there in soooo long!!! Are you in the DC area, too?? 6y
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Wbabdullah Please do leave a comment on the blog and here if you like what you read about my Saturday!! I love comments! 6y
BookMaven407 I don't live in DC but visit often. I stop at Politics and Prose every time. Happy Sunday. 🙂📚 6y
ElishaLovesBooks My sister lives so close to Politics and Prose! It‘s such a great bookstore! 6y
Wbabdullah @ElishaLovesBooks it really is, isn‘t it? Now that they‘ve opened this second location, I‘m not too far away from it either! 😍 6y
ElishaLovesBooks @Wbabdullah I didn‘t know there was a second one- where is it located? I‘ve been to the one by Chevy Chase. 6y
Wbabdullah @ElishaLovesBooks in Southwest DC, on the Waterfront/Wharf. 6y
ElishaLovesBooks @Wbabdullah sounds awesome!😊 6y
23 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Smithkatiea
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Just finished this one. What a fantastic job Mr. Reynolds does in bringing his characters to life!

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bookloaner
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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I'm sick but at least I have a good book. 📚

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Chasia
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Great and voice-y

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Theresa
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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So yesterday I asked for recommendations about where to start reading among the several books Jason Reynolds has written. I didn't get any recommendations so I had to buy all of them...or at least all I could find at #dbf2016 #septphotochallenge. So happy! 😍📚😍📚

Godmotherx5 Don't know this author. Hope you enjoy the books. 8y
Theresa @Godmotherx5 I hadn't even heard of him before yesterday, let alone read anything by him. But now I'm really excited to. I'm discovering so many great authors at the Decatur Book Festival! I feel like it's going to be time for next year's festival before I get through all my new finds from this year! #dbf2016 8y
brandymuses All of his books are amazing but I would start with the YAs. Brave as You is incredibly well done but his YAs have a little something more to them that I like better. The first book of his I read was The Boy in the Black Suit. 8y
15 likes3 comments
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wingedsnails
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Almost done reading this one. Wonderful so far.

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alexlikesbooks
When I Was the Greatest | Jason Reynolds
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Reading this again for teen book club. Will it be as fantastic the second time around? I'm thinking yes.

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