Reviews

The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy

whatsamread's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

fieldofhats's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Read for Young Adult Literature.

It was good! This book was a very solid middle grade novel about culture and queerness and what that means at the age of 12. It’s not quite my cup of tea, but I think it’s absolutely amazing for what it is.

evelynhugosbitch3bc79's review against another edition

4.0

Actual Rating : 3.75 / 5

Another gay book

andrearbooks's review

4.0

The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy is an upcoming #ownvoices release. I so loved the way Rahul's story gave voice to a story around intersecting identities that aren't often told. Rahul is a gay teen who is working through mental health issues while growing up in rural Indiana who is navigating all that middle school brings. He's trying to figure out where he fits in, as he tries to manage his own feelings and reactions to life. Y'all, this was a real trek through middle school. The social dynamics of middle school are a lot, and Rahul definitely has to navigate quite a bit of them. I appreciated that these dynamics (while always a hard read because it can be rough stuff) were used to show how Rahul was trying to figure out his fit to feel fulfilled, but also so he wouldn't be ridiculued. Y'all, it's such a true conflict that kids go through! This book for me is a conversation starter. I finished wanting to know more about Rahul's story. What's next? Where does he go? How is he doing? I think that was a note of how I connected, as well as how it gave voice to a story I haven't heard often enough. The stories of #ownvoices are so important. Thanks to Balzer & Bray for the early look at this one!

kayalbs11's review

3.0

I love this book. This exactly the kind of book I needed when I was in middle school. I found myself crying at times because I could feel exactly how Rahul was feeling and felt I could relate to him in A LOT of ways. Such a good book to help students learn self-appreciation/love, winning isn’t everything, the struggles of coming out, cultural and family values, and the effects of bullying. Such a cute book and a heartwarming, at times heart wrenching, read.

suegat's review against another edition

inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

heatherbermingham's review against another edition

5.0

I've been looking for good middle grade books dealing with LGBTQ issues and saw this pop up in a number of places, and I want to hug it, it's so good. It feels like it deals with so many different things - racism, embarrassment about being different, trying to fit in, telling yourself/your friends/your family, anxiety - but somehow it all works. While not everyone will identify with struggling with admitting that you're gay, everyone will recognize and understand Rahul's desire to just fit in when everything about him seems different. When Rahul finally talks with his family, I actually cried and I don't cry much at books. Definitely adding it to our library.

biblioemily's review against another edition

4.0

Really enjoyed this one! However, I don't like the implication that Brent gets a free pass on his bullying because he might also be gay. I know this is a common trope in books (and also something that happens in real life), but you don't get to be a bully/engage in hate speech without repercussions just because there is also bad stuff/struggles going on in your life.

jadatrack's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jkiffmeyer's review against another edition

funny inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0