Pancholy’s sophomore effort is a layered coming-of-age tale, melding puberty’s woes with familial expectations and grief…. The sweet, peck-on-the-cheek–level romance is delightfully middle school—as is the squeeworthy joy alongside more difficult moments. A timely affirmation that hate has no place in school.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Told in Nikhil’s earnest, compassionate narration, this look at authenticity and representation richly layers themes of family and community, and the support needed to grow into oneself.” — Publishers Weekly
“With swift prose and chapters that include bits of television scripts full of space adventure, this is a great choice for thespians, emerging teens, and anyone who needs a little extra push to use their voice, and it will be an especially powerful read in conjunction with accounts of what queer students deal with in the face of homophobia. Fans of Raina Telgemeier's Drama or Nate Federle's Better Nate than Ever will appreciate this.” — ALA Booklist
"Absolutely charming! Nikhil Out Loud is a deeply heartfelt and moving story about identity, courage, and belonging. This is the exact kind of affirming story that kids need right now." — Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor-winning author of Other Words for Home
“A charming, inspiring, edge-of-your-seat tale that will pull at your heartstrings as it celebrates the importance of acceptance, love, family, and true friendship in all its glorious diversity. The world needs this story right now!" — Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Night Diary
"Nikhil Shah is an extraordinary kid in ordinary circumstances, and his story is hugely sweet and incredibly moving. Nikhil's dilemmas are so real they made my voice crack in sympathy, but Maulik also gives us a vision of the world—and middle school—as it could be. Get ready." — Kyle Lukoff, Newbery Honor-winning author
“I adored Nikhil and his kind and generous heart, humility, and honesty. And I know kids will be cheering for for this lovable and relatable protagonist and welcome his voice as he explores family bonds and the meaning of acceptance, and finds courage while facing big changes.” — Hena Khan, award-winning author of Amina’s Voice
PRAISE FOR THE BEST AT IT : ★ “The protagonist’s devastatingly honest voice pulls readers deeply into a fast-paced journey... heartbreakingly authentic.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ “This funny, uplifting story about identity… sends a powerful, positive message to young readers about choosing self-acceptance.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
★ “An impressive first novel…wholly engaging.” — ALA Booklist (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 Rahul on from beginning to end. 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
“Maulik Pancholy’s story of an Indian American boy trying to come to terms with all facets of his identity while proving his own worth is at once exuberant and heart-wrenching, brightened with assured, lived-in details and a hero we love from the very first page. Every middle schooler will find themselves in this book. A wonderful, heartfelt debut.” — Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series
08/29/2022
Actor Pancholy (The Best at It ) draws upon his experience as a voice actor in this sophomore novel about a queer 13-year-old advocating against homophobia. When Indian American voice actor Nikhil Shah’s grandfather, Nana, becomes ill, the rising eighth grader and his mother travel from Los Angeles to Ohio to help. Though Nikhil is able to remotely record his lines for his lead voice role in animated TV series Raj Reddy in Outer Space , which recently garnered him a Kids’ Cartoon Award, his future on the show feels uncertain when his voice begins to change. Loath to confide in his mother, who is navigating tensions with her Gujarati parents, Nikhil throws himself into new friendships with musical theater–loving DeSean, who is Black, fashionable Korean American Monica, and shy Mexican American skateboarder Mateo—on whom Nikhil quietly crushes. After Nikhil is cast as the school musical’s lead, and mentions that he’s gay during an interview for the school newspaper, protestors descend on the production, but the cast provides public heartwarming support as Nikhil considers options around using his voice. Told in Nikhil’s earnest, compassionate narration, this look at authenticity and representation richly layers themes of family and community, and the support needed to grow into oneself. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)
"Nikhil Shah is an extraordinary kid in ordinary circumstances, and his story is hugely sweet and incredibly moving. Nikhil's dilemmas are so real they made my voice crack in sympathy, but Maulik also gives us a vision of the world—and middle school—as it could be. Get ready."
I adored Nikhil and his kind and generous heart, humility, and honesty. And I know kids will be cheering for for this lovable and relatable protagonist and welcome his voice as he explores family bonds and the meaning of acceptance, and finds courage while facing big changes.
A charming, inspiring, edge-of-your-seat tale that will pull at your heartstrings as it celebrates the importance of acceptance, love, family, and true friendship in all its glorious diversity. The world needs this story right now!"
"Absolutely charming! Nikhil Out Loud is a deeply heartfelt and moving story about identity, courage, and belonging. This is the exact kind of affirming story that kids need right now."
★ “An impressive first novel…wholly engaging.
ALA Booklist (starred review)
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.
An emotional, earnest, and genuine journey to self-love that had me crying, laughing, and cheering Rahul on from beginning to end. 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.
Maulik Pancholy’s story of an Indian American boy trying to come to terms with all facets of his identity while proving his own worth is at once exuberant and heart-wrenching, brightened with assured, lived-in details and a hero we love from the very first page. Every middle schooler will find themselves in this book. A wonderful, heartfelt debut.
12/01/2022
Gr 5 Up— After the Kids' Cartoon Awards, 13-year-old Indian American voice actor Nikhil Shah learns he'll be moving from Los Angeles to his mom's hometown in Ohio. His nana is ill, and they need to be there to help care for him. On the first day of eighth grade, Nikhil meets DeSean, who is Black, and is welcomed into the Sycamore Middle School theater crowd, which includes Korean American Monica and Mexican American Mateo. After being cast as the lead in the eighth grade musical, Nikhil reveals to the school newspaper that he's gay. Soon a homophobic community member threatens to protest the play if Nikhil remains cast. But the Sycamore community rallies around Nikhil and his friends, and together they show that there is no place for hate in school. Nikhil's cup is full to the brim with complex family relationships, puberty, and his burgeoning community activism all vying for his attention. At times readers may feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything Nikhil is experiencing, but perhaps that's the point. Ultimately, Nikhil and his loved ones learn that running away from challenges doesn't make them go away—the only way to find happiness is to speak your truth. VERDICT A powerful and well-timed story that demonstrates just how much representation matters.—Dana West
Maulik Pancholy narrates his charming middle grade audiobook with love and enthusiasm. Nikhil’s mom moves his family from L.A. to his grandparents’ house in Ohio, taking him far from his best friend and his job—he’s a voice acting star on a hit cartoon. Nikhil finds welcoming friends, lands a nerve-racking lead role in the middle school musical, crushes on a cute boy—and is targeted by harassing parents who are against having a gay student lead the school play. Pancholy’s animated voice rockets listeners through all the emotions—and vocal changes—as Nikhil struggles with performing on stage and behind the mic, worries about his grandfather’s health and those bullying adults, and, ultimately, finds his way forward—with an outpouring of loving support from the community. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2022 - AudioFile
Maulik Pancholy narrates his charming middle grade audiobook with love and enthusiasm. Nikhil’s mom moves his family from L.A. to his grandparents’ house in Ohio, taking him far from his best friend and his job—he’s a voice acting star on a hit cartoon. Nikhil finds welcoming friends, lands a nerve-racking lead role in the middle school musical, crushes on a cute boy—and is targeted by harassing parents who are against having a gay student lead the school play. Pancholy’s animated voice rockets listeners through all the emotions—and vocal changes—as Nikhil struggles with performing on stage and behind the mic, worries about his grandfather’s health and those bullying adults, and, ultimately, finds his way forward—with an outpouring of loving support from the community. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2022 - AudioFile
★ 2022-07-27
A grandparent’s sickness brings 13-year-old Indian American voice acting star Nikhil Shah and his family from Los Angeles to Ohio. Starting eighth grade in a new school gives Nikhil anxiety, but he quickly befriends a crew: DeSean (who is Black), Monica (who is Korean American), and Mateo (who is Mexican American). Once his celebrity identity is discovered, Nikhil doesn’t just sign autographs and repeat, to his classmates’ delight, a catchphrase from Raj Reddy in Outer Space , the animated show he works on, but gets cast as the lead in the school’s musical revue. His profile rises even higher when Nikhil discloses to the school newspaper—and, essentially, the world—that he is gay. The overwhelming support is overshadowed by his Nana’s negative reaction and a community member’s homophobic letters and protests. But the cast members rally their school community behind Nikhil, using their art to make a powerful statement. Pancholy’s sophomore effort is a layered coming-of-age tale, melding puberty’s woes with familial expectations and grief. Unresolved tensions rise quickly in his Gujarati Nana and Nani’s household as the family members get reacquainted with each other but also pave the way for some truly tender moments. The sweet, peck-on-the-cheek–level romance is delightfully middle school—as is the squeeworthy joy alongside more difficult moments.
A timely affirmation that hate has no place in school. (Fiction. 9-13)
