
Nikhil Out Loud
HarperCollins · Paperback · October 10, 2023
Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Middle Grade From the acclaimed actor and Stonewall Honor–winning author of The Best at It, Maulik Pancholy, comes a new middle grade novel about a gay Indian American boy who learns the power of using his voice.
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- Who it’s for
- A layered middle grade story pairs performance nerves with the harder work of speaking up.
- Themes
- LGBTQ+ identity and acceptance, Finding the courage to speak out, Caring for a sick grandparent
- Genres
- LGBTQ+ Stories, US: Asian American Stories, Theater Stories
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved. Most of these share its genre: LGBTQ+ Stories.
Will on the InsideAndrew Eliopulos54% match
The Best at ItMaulik Pancholy80% matchAlso shares US: Asian American Stories
Ana on the EdgeA. J. Sass49% match
Lion of the SkyRitu Hemnani50% match
Hello, UniverseErin Entrada Kelly, Isabel Roxas48% match
The Year My Life Went Down the ToiletJake Maia Arlow50% match
ForsoothJimmy Matejek-Morris56% matchAlso shares Theater Stories
Karthik DeliversSheela Chari60% matchAlso shares US: Asian American Stories and Theater Stories
For older readers: A Snake Falls to Earth, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, The Passing Playbook
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Start with this bookAbout this book
Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Middle Grade From the acclaimed actor and Stonewall Honor–winning author of The Best at It, Maulik Pancholy, comes a new middle grade novel about a gay Indian American boy who learns the power of using his voice. For fans of Merci Suárez Changes Gears and Better Nate Than Ever. Thirteen-year-old Nikhil Shah is the beloved voice actor for Raj Reddy on the hit animated series Raj Reddy in Outer Space.
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But when his mom temporarily moves them to the small town in Ohio where she grew up to take care of Nikhil’s sick grandfather, Nikhil feels as out of orbit as his character. Nikhil’s fame lands him the lead in the school musical, but he’s terrified that everyone will realize he’s a fraud once they find out he has stage fright. And when a group of angry parents start to protest having an openly gay actor in the starring role, Nikhil feels like his life would be easier if only he could be Raj Reddy full-time. Then Nikhil wakes up one morning and hears a crack in his voice, which means his job playing Raj will have to come to an end. Life on earth is way more complicated than life on television. And some mysteries—like new friendships or a sick grandparent or finding the courage to speak out—don’t wrap up neatly between commercial breaks.
Finding Your Voice
A layered middle grade story pairs performance nerves with the harder work of speaking up.
Come here for
- A young actor balancing stage fright and an openly gay role
- Growing-up questions woven through family change and new friendships
Expect
- A serious but inviting take on courage and belonging
- Complications that don’t neatly resolve between commercial breaks
Where it sits
| LGBTQ+ Stories | 87% |
|---|---|
| Theater Stories | 56% |
| US: Asian American Stories | 46% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- US: Asian American Stories
- Family Stories
- Illness & Injury
- Music Stories
Show all 8 publisher categories
- TV & Radio Stories
- Growing Up
- Friendship
- Bullying
- Authors
- Maulik Pancholy
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- October 10, 2023
- Format
- Paperback
- Theme
- LGBTQ+ identity and acceptance · Finding the courage to speak out · Caring for a sick grandparent
- Reading lane
- US: Asian American Stories