2024 the best at it book review

Price: $9.99 - $7.99
(as of Oct 21, 2024 11:43:14 UTC - Details)

From award-winning actor Maulik Pancholy comes a hilarious and heartfelt middle grade debut about a gay Indian American boy coming into his own. One of Time Out's “LGBTQ+ books for kids to read during Pride Month,” this is perfect for fans of Tim Federle’s Nate series. A Stonewall Honor Book!

Rahul Kapoor is heading into seventh grade in a small town in Indiana. The start of middle school is making him feel increasingly anxious, so his favorite person in the whole world, his grandfather, Bhai, gives him some well-meaning advice: Find one thing you’re really good at and become the BEST at it.

Those four little words sear themselves into Rahul’s brain. While he’s not quite sure what that special thing is, he is convinced that once he finds it, bullies like Brent Mason will stop torturing him at school. And he won’t be worried about staring too long at his classmate Justin Emery. With his best friend, Chelsea, by his side, Rahul is ready to crush this challenge.... But what if he discovers he isn’t the best at anything?

Funny, charming, and incredibly touching, this is a story about friendship, family, and the courage it takes to live your truth. 

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Balzer + Bray; Reprint edition (October 6, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062866427
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062866424
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.2 x 0.5 x 9.8 inches
Reviewer: E Tyler
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Why This Book is About YOU (Even If It Isn't)
Review: I met the author briefly at a book festival where I heard him speak on a panel of four. At the end of a full day of hearing from many capable authors about their work, I left with the intention of buying just one book: "The Best At It."I am not a pre-teen myself. And while I’ve mentored teens and young adults for decades, I am not currently in the mix with middle-school kids. So why this book? The fact is that I found Maulik Pancholy so genuine and compelling as a speaker and real person—so passionate about this particular book project—that I couldn't help but follow my curiosity and see how he conveyed himself in writing.I'm pleased to say that I found the book a delightfully accurate reflection of its author: genuine, compelling, passionate.At the time of purchase, the bold-type header of the synopsis describes this book as a middle grade story “about a gay Indian American boy coming into his own.” And that is true. Yet at the same time—it isn’t.I’ll illustrate what I mean by analogy. It seems "The Hobbit" was a favorite of both Maulik’s and mine growing up. I felt deeply connected to both Bilbo Baggins and his quest. But was Tolkien’s story “about a reluctant hobbit from The Shire who goes on a quest to save Middle Earth”? Again, yes—but then again, not really.As far as I was concerned as a reader, it was about ME. I didn’t need to have hairy feet to feel self-conscious about my body. Nor did I need Gandolph’s call in order to experience the gnawing feeling that there must be more to life. I wasn’t thrust into keeping company with dwarves; yet I knew all too well the struggles of fitting in with people who felt very different from myself. With neither Gollum nor a mystical ring, I understood trial and the struggle of trying to do the right thing when faced with temptation; and though I never had to face Smaug, I had plenty of my own dragon’s lurking.Apply the same mindset to “The Best At It.” Does it matter whether Bilbo or Rahul happen to be my age? Whether the culture, language and customs to which I’m being introduced are those of Middle Earth or of an Indian family from Indiana? Does it matter whether the person we most trust is a wizard or a wise old “Bhai”? Whether the character’s traveling companions are displaced dwarves or math league misfits? Whether the “Big Bad” is a scaly behemoth or the bully next door? Whether the quest is saving a fictional world—or saving ourselves?That's all to say—I highly recommend "The Best At It" to YOU, regardless of whether or not your personal details happen to match those of the protagonist, Rahul, in every regard. No matter who you are as a reader, I believe you’ll see yourself in the pages of this story. You’ll get wrapped up in it. You'll feel it for reasons all your own.And that is as every good story should be.

Reviewer: Avani Patel
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Everyone should read this book!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I was so good that I bought 5 more books to gift to my nieces and nephews. This book is as equally as good for adults to read as it is for children (3rd grade and up). This book addresses several topics including diversity and inclusion, bullying, trying to fit in, and growing up as a first generation American. As I read this book, I reflected back at my own childhood experiences and wish I had a book like this to read when I was in middle school. There also issues in the book that I could relate to as an adult, like members of your own family (or a family friend) not making you feel accepted. Maulik did a wonderful job in his debut novel, I hope he is planning on writing a sequel. I would love to know what Rahul is up to during his high school years.

Reviewer: Lizzy White
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The Best of Them (Also ... it came signed?)
Review: This! Book! Also my copy got here and I'm like 99% sure it's signed by the author?? Which is really cool and I don't know how that happened, but I'm not complaining!I didn't intend to stay up till 1 AM on a school night, but that's exactly what happened. This was so fun and lighthearted but also really deep and heavy at the same time? Somehow? I don't know how Pancholy did it, but he certainly pulled off something remarkable. I was smiling pretty much the entire time I read this, except for those moments where I had my hand over my mouth as my heart cracked into pieces. There were a good many of those moments. (I'm looking at you, Brent. And the bank. That freaking bank.) But I was also doubled over laughing out loud multiple times. (The scene in the basement where they're getting Rahul's headshots and Arun walks in on them made me cry with laughter. Just. Siblings.) And the diversity of this book was so beautiful and fun to read. I loved reading about Indian American culture, and how the two have meshed together to make something beautiful and, at least for me, not commonly seen in my area. I loved the idea of a Bazaar and wish my community held something like this. There were so many important topics explored in this book, and somehow Pancholy delved into it with laughter and joy. I'm still in awe. Pancholy is releasing a new book next year, and I'm definitely reading it and everything else he publishes because I need more stories like this in my life.

Reviewer: watersign69
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Must Read
Review: Thus is a must read for adults with young children because it will remind the adults what it was like being their kids age. Too also bring up some subjects that could be happening currently in their child's lives.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: goofy
Review: Mid book. Coulda been a lot better. Just bleh. J j j j ima I I k k k k k inkm I I j h h

Reviewer: Charles B.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: What a great book!
Review: This book is just amazing and I am so happy I purchased it.

Reviewer: Christina Phillips Hemperly
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Enrich your mind and heart by reading this book!
Review: This book is aimed toward young adults, but I found the book lovely and well-worth reading and I'm in my 50's! There are themes of joy and hope, family, accountability, and friendship. Visibility is given to the NORMALCY we Americans of non-European cultures live. I cried during this reading and later had to reflect on why. I was saddened that nothing like this existed during my childhood. And I was saddened that I didn't have this book to offer children during my 20+ years of teaching. I believe every school library should offer this to kids. It's the kind of book that can remove layers of inner fear and anxiety for young people who are struggling through their transition into adulthood.

Reviewer: Maria V. Ciletti
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great story!
Review: Loved this book! Great story. Wish I had something like this to read when I was coming out. Awesome read.

Reviewer: Ingrid C.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Maulik has brought to light several aspects through this book while primarily focusing on the challenges faced by the protagonist , the 12 year old. Family ties and Indian culture held strong while being brought up in a foreign land are outlined very well.

Reviewer: Ruben Ortega
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Un inglés asequible y la historia está bien. Recomendable y útil para aprender inglés.

Reviewer: Lorelai
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Such a beautiful, sensitive, sweet, moving book.

Reviewer: Aditya
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It was one of the cutest reads! I loved the characters throughout the plot, Chelsea, Jai, Rahul, Mr Hayden...all of them! Loved it. Easy to read, finished in one go!

Reviewer: Renu
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Amazing book.As a eleven year old ,totally enjoyed it