The Best at It

Rahul Kapoor enters seventh grade with a plan to become the best at something - though he's not sure what that something is yet. As an Indian American middle schooler in Indiana, he faces challenges including bullying, anxiety, and questions about his identity. With help from his grandfather Bhai, his best friend Chelsea, and his supportive family, Rahul pursues different activities trying to find his path. His journey includes attempts at football, math competitions, and school plays as he works to discover where he excels. Throughout the story, Rahul grapples with his growing awareness of his sexuality, his cultural background, and his place in his school's social hierarchy. He must learn to accept himself while managing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that begin to affect his daily life. The novel addresses universal themes of belonging and self-discovery while offering representation of South Asian LGBTQ+ youth. The story demonstrates how finding one's place often requires looking inward rather than seeking external validation.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of anxiety and OCD in a middle-grade context, with many noting the book helps normalize mental health discussions for young readers. Parents and educators highlight how the story addresses multiple identities - Indian American, gay, and dealing with mental health challenges - without making any single aspect the sole focus. Specific praise focuses on the humor and relatable middle school dynamics. Several reviewers mention their children could connect with Rahul's experiences trying to excel at activities and fit in with peers. Some readers found the pacing slow in the first third of the book. A few noted that certain supporting characters felt underdeveloped. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parents), 5/5 (kids) "Perfect balance of serious topics and light moments" - Goodreads reviewer "Helped my son understand his own anxiety" - Amazon parent review

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🌟 Author Maulik Pancholy is also an accomplished actor known for voicing Baljeet in "Phineas and Ferb" and playing Jonathan on "30 Rock" 📚 The book draws from Pancholy's own experiences growing up as a gay Indian American in the Midwest 🏆 "The Best at It" was named a 2020 Stonewall Honor Book by the American Library Association 🎭 The main character's struggle with OCD was inspired by the author's personal childhood experiences with anxiety and obsessive thoughts 🌈 This groundbreaking middle-grade novel is one of the first to feature a gay Indian American protagonist in this age category