The Best at It

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 Ive 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 personso passionate about this particular book projectthat 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 timeit isnt.

Ill illustrate what I mean by analogy. It seems “The Hobbit” was a favorite of both Mauliks and mine growing up. I felt deeply connected to both Bilbo Baggins and his quest. But was Tolkiens story about a reluctant hobbit from The Shire who goes on a quest to save Middle Earth? Again, yesbut then again, not really.

As far as I was concerned as a reader, it was about ME. I didnt need to have hairy feet to feel self-conscious about my body. Nor did I need Gandolphs call in order to experience the gnawing feeling that there must be more to life. I wasnt 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 dragons 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 Im 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 characters 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 worldor saving ourselves?

That’s all to sayI 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 youll see yourself in the pages of this story. Youll get wrapped up in it. You’ll feel it for reasons all your own.

And that is as every good story should be.

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.

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.

This book was misrepresented as to its content. Please read before letting your child read.

Great story for kids trying to find themselves.

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