A coming of age story about diverse characters figuring themselves out rings true and is an entertaining read. ( )

This is a great book. It deserves a better cover. ( )

RGG: Very middle grade self discovery re: sexual identity, cultural identity, self-worth. The supporting cast of best friend and Bhai are wonderful. Real, fun, and poignant. Reading Interest: 11-13.

RGG: Very middle grade self discovery re: sexual identity, cultural identity, self-worth. The supporting cast of best friend and Bhai are wonderful. Real, fun, and poignant. Reading Interest: 11-13.

RGG: Very middle grade self discovery re: sexual identity, cultural identity, self-worth. The supporting cast of best friend and Bhai are wonderful. Real, fun, and poignant. Reading Interest: 11-13.

A fun middle grade novel about an Indian-American boy who struggles with feelings of inadequacy. He wished to be special and unique, without falling into the racial stereotypes he unfortunately gets confronted with regularly.
The 'crush' felt a little cliche, so I was very happy that in the end it did not turn out to be a teenage crush, but a part of Rahul's issues. ( )

This hilarious realistic fiction is about Rahul's attempts to re-invent himself to win the acceptance of his family and schoolmates. But his best friend and grandfather already completely love him for who he is, and Rahul starts to realize that maybe the rest of his family does too. This story is full of relatable awkward moments both at school and at home, some sad moments and a lot of humor. ( )

Rahul decides that he needs to be the best at something - anything - to make this school year different. His best friend, Chelsea, supports his efforts (first football, then acting), but is obviously somewhat puzzled: why doesn't he just do what he likes and is good at? The main reason is Brent, a football jock/jerk with an aggressive dad. Rahul's neighbor Justin used to be a friend, but is now on the football team with Brent; though Justin is still nice to Rahul, he doesn't stand up to Brent in any meaningful way. After football and acting don't pan out, Rahul finally joins the Mathletes, helping the team win a regional competition and do well at State. But when his teammate Jenny asks him to the Sadie Hawkins dance, Rahul doesn't understand why he isn't more excited. Throughout, Rahul's parents and grandfather are wise and supportive, even as Rahul's mom and all the "aunties" plan the annual cultural bazaar, and his dad practices with his band, Bollywood Supply.

Like many middle schoolers, Rahul just wants to fit in, but as one of the few non-white kids in his school, and as he slowly realizes he's gay, he discovers - as Chelsea has been telling him - it's better to embrace being himself than to try to mold himself to someone else's idea of normal.

The author narrates the audiobook, to excellent effect. ( )

7th grader Rahul Kapoor is trying to find his way in middle school. Is bullied by a particular boy, navigates friendships and tries to find the thing he wants to excel at. It deals with anxiety/depression and some compulsive behaviors.

I love how much of this book is about Rahul coping with stress, and then him also recognizing that he can choose something else. He thinks he's journeying towards the thing he will be the best at, but it turns out he's looking for the thing he will enjoy doing the most. That's a distinction that is easy to lose your way on.

With regards to coming to terms with his sexuality and finding his own path -- I think this is handled really well. It's this lingering weight in the background -- fodder for bullies and commentary from adults and he's just trying not to think about it too much. Just not sure if it applies or not? Which I found very authentic. Love his super supportive family, and best friend.

It has some funny moments, too, because Rahul is just so 100% committed to his journey. He finds a thing he wants to excel at and just powers at it with a wing and prayer. ( )

This book literally gripped me so tightly in the chest it hurt. The story was fantastic and it was so real. Coming out is one of the hardest things I can think of doing and I related to Rahul’s struggles on a personal level. And I also saw one of my best friends in him too. I’ve always had a bit of trouble understanding her OCD as she and I have different ticks, but this book helped me understand her a little better. I highly recommend this book to everyone! It was a fantastic read I devoured in one day. ( )

diverse children's middlegrade fiction with LGBTQAI interest (Indian-American 7th grader deals with bullies, OCD, and questions whether he might be gay; #ownvoices author)
Rahul is a sweet kid and super adorable for a geeky 7th grade mathlete and I loved spending time with him and his family and friends, and very much wanted to see how his story works out. I don't think I could have asked for more out of this middlegrade book.

Also recommended, [b:Better Nate Than Ever|13414183|Better Nate Than Ever (Better Nate Than Ever, #1)|Tim Federle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391970255l/13414183._SY75_.jpg|18707527] for another absolutely sweet, questioning hero. ( )

Rahul is a middle school kiddo with a ton of stress and a handful of secrets. This is the story of how he tries to navigate friendships, low-grade racism, bullies, and the dangers of dating when no one but you (and maybe not even you) know what and who you want.
There's a lot going on in here, and although at times I thought the author was maybe trying to pack in a few too many Important Issues (racism, mental illness, sexual orientation, bullying,...), in general this middle grade novel does a good job of representation, and describing both what it looks like to come out in a safe family space and the potential repercussions of not having that safe space. Overall, happily recommended. ( )

Rahul has a revelation that turns into a personal project. He wants to find something where he is The. Best. At. It. No small undertaking for a middle school kid who is uncomfortable in his own skin. He tries football, acting. Both fail in spectacular ways. He's asked to join the mathletes. He doesn't want to because it sees way too nerdy. His best friend, Chelsea, who is awesome in all ways, tells him them being nerdy is why they are fun! He shies away from his culture. His family knows he is suffering - with his identity, with OCD kind of behavior. They are supportive, they offer help. It is up to him to take it.
I found this story heartfelt, charming, and touching. ( )

Rahul Kapoor is determined to find something he is the best at. Diverse fiction that has universal humor and themes. Lighthearted and fun but not Newbery-distinguished. Did not finish reading.

Moving story about a boy who is determined to be the "best at" something. The protagonist, Rahul, already excels at math, but he resists joining the school "Mathlete" competition because he's convinced it will brand him as a nerd. Rahul also struggles with compulsive and anxious behavior, and homophobic bullying by a classmate. Nice parts to this book are that Rahul has supportive friends and accepting parents and grandfather who love him unconditionally. As his father puts its, "Rahul. Whether you place first or fifth or thirty-fifth or two thousand and fifth ... and no matter who you are. Your mom and I will always love you."