Ali loves his neighbourhood in Brooklyn New York. Living with his 11 yr old sister Jazz and their no nonsense mum Doris, life is pretty good. Despite drugs, gangs and trouble never far away, he keeps away from all that stuff.

Doris is strict about their education, drumming it into her children that school is a way to choices. She works two jobs since their dad left – and she doesn’t want them following his path into trouble he couldn’t get out of. Jazz is smart for an 11 yr old and Ali is proud of his sister. They’re close and he soon realises how precious their bond really is.

Next door is a building everyone in the neighbourhood knows is trouble. Inside are crack heads, street workers and nothing good. Five years before, Ali was surprised when two brothers moved in there with their mum. Now all around the age of 15, it’s clear the brother’s home life is nothing like his.

Nicknamed Noodles and Needles, Noodles is Ali’s best friend. Always together, Noodles is often at Ali’s for dinner, then taking food home to Needles. Everyone can see they are on their own alot. Ali’s mum also helps Needles cope with his tourettes, and his out of control ticks have improved remarkably.

Noodles might be Ali’s best friend but every now and then, Ali doesn’t understand him at all. Noodles will kick off for no reason at people who don’t deserve it. Noodles pumps himself up with false bravado and tries to act tough. Ali doesn’t like this side of his friend.

When they get a chance to all go to a party way above their age and league, they grab it. Pumped to be there, they try to look like they belong. Alcohol is flowing, the music is loud and the girls older than them all. One takes a shine to Ali and he quickly is way out of his comfort zone. It is nothing compared to what is about to happen.

Only his boxing lessons save one of his friend’s lives and the fallout to come scares Ali like nothing ever has. He sees another side of Noodles – something he never would have imagined. Then threats, guns and more bloodshed seems the only way out. Has life changed forever for Ali and all who know and love him?

Getting to know the characters in When I Was The Greatest was a true pleasure. Ali tells his story direct to the reader, personalising it even more as we learn how he met the brothers next door. The contrast between Ali and his best friend Needles is obvious and often uneasy, but the care that Ali’s mum has for the neglected boys is heartening, smoothing sharpening edges.

When things go terribly wrong, even Ali believes there is only one way out – violence. The actual solution is unexpected – by Ali and myself, and pure heart. Maybe it can be the solution to other things in his life too.

Many scenes are brought to life for the reader by illustrator Akhran Girmay, with emotion pouring out on the page.

A credible, convincing, coming of age story. I felt I was right there with the characters, living life in Brooklyn New York. I loved Ali and his family to bits!

Author – Jason Reynolds

Illustrator – Akhran Girmay

Age – 14+

More Riveting Reads by Jason Reynolds (Click on a Cover to read reviews)

(2022, Brooklyn, New York, Family, Relationships, Party, Secret, Violence, Fight, Boxing, Role Models, Neglected, Brothers, Tourette Syndrome, Loyalty, New Kicks, Clothes, Dressed to impress, Siblings, Brothers, Tension, Coming of age, Growing up, Neighbourhood)