Reviews

The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy

gentleladybug's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

theromanticace's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Xenophobia

grumpykitten16's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

4.0

brittanykroeckel's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-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

4.75

I will begin by saying that I chose this book to fulfill a prompt for the StoryGraph genre reading challenge. Knowing it was a book for youth, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised. 

Pancholy does an excellent job of effectively intermingling multiple areas of Rahul’s development. Not only does it deal with sexuality, but includes challenges such as

OCD, racism, and being the best at something/exploring interests

. These are all presented in a developmentally appropriate manner and are not over complicated. 

The reason I docked .25 was the writing style. Even thought it’s for middle grades, it still felt too juvenile in a way. Perhaps I’m just used to reading much more complex writing, but I felt it was a little too basic and could have used more depth. I would still recommend this book to anyone despite that. 

endemictoearth's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

jenmangler's review

4.0

What a sweet story! I love Rahul and his friends and family.

jamiecoyne's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.75

bettielovesbooks's review against another edition

5.0

What a delightful book! It really made feel a lot of emotions, made laugh out loud it was so funny but sad at the same time with all the insecurities a 13 yo feel. I could completely understand how even though he loved his family he just wanted to fit and sometimes felt embarrassed by them. And how at that age you care deeply what people think of you and you’ll try for people to like you, even doing things you might not really like to do (like playing football), but if you’re lucky you’ll still have people who love you for you.

ericeigenbrodt's review against another edition

emotional funny 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? No

4.0

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

4.0

Imagine if you had to find the one thing that you were best at!? We read this for our book club and it not only generated some of the best conversations we've had, but it was enjoyed by all.