Nikhil Out Loud

August 29, 2022
Actor Pancholy (The Best at It) draws upon his experience as a voice actor in this sophomore novel about a queer 13-year-old advocating against homophobia. When Indian American voice actor Nikhil Shah’s grandfather, Nana, becomes ill, the rising eighth grader and his mother travel from Los Angeles to Ohio to help. Though Nikhil is able to remotely record his lines for his lead voice role in animated TV series Raj Reddy in Outer Space, which recently garnered him a Kids’ Cartoon Award, his future on the show feels uncertain when his voice begins to change. Loath to confide in his mother, who is navigating tensions with her Gujarati parents, Nikhil throws himself into new friendships with musical theater–loving DeSean, who is Black, fashionable Korean American Monica, and shy Mexican American skateboarder Mateo—on whom Nikhil quietly crushes. After Nikhil is cast as the school musical’s lead, and mentions that he’s gay during an interview for the school newspaper, protestors descend on the production, but the cast provides public heartwarming support as Nikhil considers options around using his voice. Told in Nikhil’s earnest, compassionate narration, this look at authenticity and representation richly layers themes of family and community, and the support needed to grow into oneself. Ages 8–12.

December 1, 2022

Gr 5 Up-After the Kids' Cartoon Awards, 13-year-old Indian American voice actor Nikhil Shah learns he'll be moving from Los Angeles to his mom's hometown in Ohio. His nana is ill, and they need to be there to help care for him. On the first day of eighth grade, Nikhil meets DeSean, who is Black, and is welcomed into the Sycamore Middle School theater crowd, which includes Korean American Monica and Mexican American Mateo. After being cast as the lead in the eighth grade musical, Nikhil reveals to the school newspaper that he's gay. Soon a homophobic community member threatens to protest the play if Nikhil remains cast. But the Sycamore community rallies around Nikhil and his friends, and together they show that there is no place for hate in school. Nikhil's cup is full to the brim with complex family relationships, puberty, and his burgeoning community activism all vying for his attention. At times readers may feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything Nikhil is experiencing, but perhaps that's the point. Ultimately, Nikhil and his loved ones learn that running away from challenges doesn't make them go away-the only way to find happiness is to speak your truth. VERDICT A powerful and well-timed story that demonstrates just how much representation matters.-Dana West

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2022
Grades 5-8 Indian American cartoon voice actor Nikhil's eighth-grade year is not going as planned. He's living in Ohio with his mom and her parents, far away from his best friend, and he's stuck doing the school musical even though he can't sing. Staring down puberty, local homophobes, and generational differences, Nikhil has got to find his voice. This upper-middle-grade novel combines a relatable school story with the draw of a famous protagonist who's still down to earth. Pancholy's sophomore novel will resonate with queer readers of color as well as fans of theater, and both will find a warm welcome in the overlap. With swift prose and chapters that include bits of television scripts full of space adventure, this is a great choice for thespians, emerging teens, and anyone who needs a little extra push to use their voice, and it will be an especially powerful read in conjunction with accounts of what queer students deal with in the face of homophobia. Fans of Raina Telgemeier's Drama (2012) or Nate Federle's Better Nate than Ever (2013) will appreciate this.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from August 15, 2022
Eighth grade theater kids rise up against homophobia in their community. A grandparent's sickness brings 13-year-old Indian American voice acting star Nikhil Shah and his family from Los Angeles to Ohio. Starting eighth grade in a new school gives Nikhil anxiety, but he quickly befriends a crew: DeSean (who is Black), Monica (who is Korean American), and Mateo (who is Mexican American). Once his celebrity identity is discovered, Nikhil doesn't just sign autographs and repeat, to his classmates' delight, a catchphrase from Raj Reddy in Outer Space, the animated show he works on, but gets cast as the lead in the school's musical revue. His profile rises even higher when Nikhil discloses to the school newspaper--and, essentially, the world--that he is gay. The overwhelming support is overshadowed by his Nana's negative reaction and a community member's homophobic letters and protests. But the cast members rally their school community behind Nikhil, using their art to make a powerful statement. Pancholy's sophomore effort is a layered coming-of-age tale, melding puberty's woes with familial expectations and grief. Unresolved tensions rise quickly in his Gujarati Nana and Nani's household as the family members get reacquainted with each other but also pave the way for some truly tender moments. The sweet, peck-on-the-cheek-level romance is delightfully middle school--as is the squeeworthy joy alongside more difficult moments. A timely affirmation that hate has no place in school. (Fiction. 9-13)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.