Actor and debut author Maulik Pancholy is the perfect narrator for this story inspired by his own experiences. In response to a bully at school, 12-year-old Rahul tries to prove that he is the best at something. While his family and his best friend, Chelsea, unconditionally support and love him, it takes some hilarious failures before Rahul comes to accept himself—a non-athletic, possibly OCD “mathlete” who thinks he might be gay. From the snickering, scornful voice of the middle school football hero to the colorful distinct personalities of all the Indian adults in his extended family, Pancholy brings heart to each character. Rahul’s voice has an endearing energy and eager sincerity that pull listeners into his uplifting search for identity. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

★ 08/26/2019

Actor and debut author Pancholy draws from his own experiences as a young Indian American to create this funny, uplifting story about identity. Twelve-year-old Rahul Kapoor lives in Indiana with his parents, his younger brother, and Bhai, his grandfather, who uses a wheelchair and “has a Mr. Rogers–worthy supply of cardigans.” When an obnoxious kid at school taunts Rahul for his inadequacies and questions his sexuality, Rahul decides he must prove to himself, and the world, that he is the best at something. With help from his steadfast friend, Chelsea, and the wisdom and encouragement of Bhai, Rahul begins to learn—after some amusing, misguided failures—who he really is and what he’s actually good at doing. Rahul also navigates anxiety and probable OCD, and with wit and sensitivity, Pancholy charts his rocky path to pride in his layered identity. Rahul finds unconditional acceptance with his family and friends, which sends a powerful, positive message to young readers about choosing self-acceptance. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)

★ “The protagonist’s devastatingly honest voice pulls readers deeply into a fast-paced journey...  heartbreakingly authentic.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ “An impressive first novel…wholly engaging.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)

★ “This funny, uplifting story about identity… sends a powerful, positive message to young readers about choosing self-acceptance.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Rahul is a compelling protagonist... Hand this to middle grade readers who are navigating changing social dynamics as they come of age.” — School Library Journal

“An emotional, earnest, and genuine journey to self-love that had me crying, laughing, and cheering. Hilarious and heartbreaking and truly touching—I wanted nothing more than to reach through the pages and give Rahul a big hug for being brave, determined, and the best that he can be.” — Kacen Callender, Stonewall Award-winning author of Hurricane Child

“A funny, fun, big-hearted book filled with characters to adore. Rahul’s journey toward learning to stand up for himself and finding his place in the world is achingly emotionally authentic and deeply resonant. This novel is a joy from beginning to end.” — Anne Ursu, award-winning author of Breadcrumbs and The Lost Girl

“Exuberant... Every middle schooler will find themselves in this book.” — Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series

★ “An impressive first novel…wholly engaging.

A funny, fun, big-hearted book filled with characters to adore. Rahul’s journey toward learning to stand up for himself and finding his place in the world is achingly emotionally authentic and deeply resonant. This novel is a joy from beginning to end.

Exuberant... Every middle schooler will find themselves in this book.

An emotional, earnest, and genuine journey to self-love that had me crying, laughing, and cheering. Hilarious and heartbreaking and truly touching—I wanted nothing more than to reach through the pages and give Rahul a big hug for being brave, determined, and the best that he can be.

★ “An impressive first novel…wholly engaging.

10/01/2019

Gr 3–7—When rising seventh grader Rahul Kapoor panics about fitting in at middle school, his grandfather tells him to find something he's really good at and be the best at it. But Rahul finds that difficult. Could he be the best at football? At acting? At math? Adding to Rahul's anxiety, his macho Indian uncles keep suggesting that he might be gay, and neighborhood bully Brent taunts him about it, too. Rahul's struggles will resonate with many kids. He works hard to come to terms with liking boys while having anxiety about being good at things, being well liked, and being Indian American in a small, predominantly white town. Rahul is a compelling protagonist, and his challenges ring true. Sometimes Pancholy talks around topics: though the book ends with Rahul coming out to his friends and family, his being gay was only previously mentioned in vague terms, primarily as an insult from Brent. Similarly, though Rahul exhibits some signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety, they are only briefly addressed near the end, when Rahul's dad decides to take him to a therapist. While the writing is always engaging, it is at times challenging to hold on to the many narrative threads. VERDICT Hand this to middle grade readers who are navigating changing social dynamics as they come of age.—Kelsey Socha, Ventress Memorial Library, Marshfield, MA

Actor and debut author Maulik Pancholy is the perfect narrator for this story inspired by his own experiences. In response to a bully at school, 12-year-old Rahul tries to prove that he is the best at something. While his family and his best friend, Chelsea, unconditionally support and love him, it takes some hilarious failures before Rahul comes to accept himself—a non-athletic, possibly OCD “mathlete” who thinks he might be gay. From the snickering, scornful voice of the middle school football hero to the colorful distinct personalities of all the Indian adults in his extended family, Pancholy brings heart to each character. Rahul’s voice has an endearing energy and eager sincerity that pull listeners into his uplifting search for identity. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

★ 2019-06-10
An Indian American boy struggles with his sexuality and mental health while finding a place for himself in seventh grade.

Rahul Kapoor may not be sure about his sexuality, but he is sure of one thing: This year, he wants to make an impression. Inspired by a story his grandfather tells him, Rahul decides that the best way to impress his classmates—and, in the process, to protect himself from bullies—is to pick something and be the best at it. With the help of his fiery best friend, Chelsea, a white girl who wisely, consistently steers Rahul toward being himself and doing what he loves, Rahul tries a number of activities before settling on Mathletes, where he soon becomes a star. But when Japanese American Jenny asks him to the Sadie Hawkins dance, and when his Mathletes career doesn't go as planned, Rahul spirals into an anxious depression with symptoms of OCD that force him to confront and eventually accept exactly who he is. In his author's note, Pancholy notes that Rahul's story is semiautobiographical, and it shows. Every character in the story is nuanced and sympathetically rendered, and the book does not shy away from racism, sexism, ableism, or homophobia. The protagonist's devastatingly honest voice pulls readers deeply into a fast-paced journey riddled with heartbreakingly authentic moments of anxiety, confusion, and triumph.

This coming-of-age story about diverse characters coming to grips with their layered identities rings true. (Fiction. 10-14)