The Best at It
Written by Maulik Pancholy
Published by HarperCollins Publishers
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.

Primary ISBN: 9780062866417
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American, Japanese/Japanese American
Themes: Cross-Group Friendship, Discrimination: Cultural, Family Relationship: Grandparents, LGBTQIA+, Multiracial Identity, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: Unknown Arrival
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
Click here for details about how we define our titles.

Engagement Projects & Resources:
Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.