Our teenage years are truly formative. They shape us in ways we do not realize and the experiences of that time stick with us for the rest of our lives. The Best at It brings one such beautiful teenage tale to light. As it is, growing up is not easy; every single child constantly feels excluded and conscious of her own self. And if a child visibly looks different from classmates and friends, another layer of consciousness gets added. The protagonist Rahul is an Indian boy, growing up in Indiana where almost all of his classmates are white Americans.
The author shows Rahul’s deep-seated insecurities in a poignant manner. Rahul’s Indian culture and roots are something he enjoys, but initially shies away from accepting and owning in front of everybody else. The problem begins when this starts acting as a hurdle in his own self-acceptance, and the author has shown a beautiful journey towards celebrating one’s roots and identity.