#tbt: When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

Image: Simon & Schuster

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds. 240 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers/ Simon & Schuster, January, 2014. 9781442459472. (Own.)

Happy Thursday! I usually reserve #tbt for books that are ten years old or older, but since I highlighted Jason Reynolds' latest book on Tuesday, I thought I'd highlight his debut today. Mr. Reynolds previously published poetry and a collaboration with Jason Griffin before writing for younger audiences at the encouragement of illustrator Christopher Myers.

In When I Was the Greatest, almost sixteen-year-old Ali talks about growing up in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn with his single mom and little brother. His father is involved with the family despite his parents' divorce and Ali fills his time with school, homework and boxing, effectively avoiding the gang and drug scene. His best friend Needles and Needles' little brother, Noodles aren't so lucky. Their single mother is a drug addict, who often forgets to feed and clothe her boys. Needles has Tourette's syndrome and knitting keeps his hands busy and his tics at bay. His tics, when they surface, make him the object of ridicule at best and endanger the boys when they make a poor decision.

Ali's Bed-Stuy neighborhood is as much of a character in this touching story of friendship and family ties. Mr. Reynolds paints of vivid picture of its barber shops, bodegas and sense of community.

When I Was the Greatest earned Mr. Reynolds the first of his many awards, The John Steptoe Award for New Talent and in the following four years, he published an astonishing eight novels, most of which went on to become New York Times bestsellers and also won awards. Presently, he is serving as the U.S. Ambassador of Children's Literature and traveling around the country listening and talking to young readers.