Reviews

The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy

alondritareads's review against another edition

funny 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

4.5

brittneyfike's review against another edition

4.0

A great MG novel that covers a variety of topics. A genuine story that shows how to stand up for yourself and accept who you are.

librarianleah's review against another edition

5.0

What a fantastic book. Maulik Pancholy has poured his childhood anxieties and experiences as a gay Indian American into a touching middle grade book that will resonate with any kid trying to find their place in middle school. Pancholy gracefully addresses important issues like mental health (anxiety, OCD, depression), bullying, cultural differences, sexism, racism, and homophobia in a very kid-appropriate manner. I cannot praise this book enough. It is so important for children to see themselves represented in books, and Pancholy's debut novel makes sure that Indian Americans, kids with anxiety, and kids struggling with their sexuality are seen, heard, and understood.

allison_sirovy's review against another edition

5.0

So many kids I’m going to recommend this to!

sleepyelephant's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

3.5

amkozy23's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

I am obviously not the target audience for this book since I am well past my middle grade years but I genuinely enjoyed this work. I found it funny, heartfelt, and very sincere. I think it is so great to have such representation for kids in books because it touches on mental health as well as fear of rejection and sexuality. I loved the relationship between Rahul and his family and Rahul and his best friend and I could feel Rahul's anxiety practically leaping off the pages. 

knunderb's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed the story and loved how it turned out. Rahul, however, was really annoying, even for a 7th grade boy. There were also a couple of loose ends that weren't really tied up with a couple of side characters. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism

christynhoover's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

grecia_r's review against another edition

5.0

Cute. I needed a straightforward, feel-good story. A tiny bit predictable, but definitely what I needed at that time. Hope to see more soon.

snorpy's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense 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

5.0