Nikhil Outloud by Maulik Pancholy

Nikhil is a voice actor for a popular space cartoon, Raj Reddy in Outer Space. His mom and him must relocate to Ohio to help look out for his grandparents. Nikhil for the first time must be a regular kid, away from the recording studio and the rush of Hollywood. The pressure of growing up and losing his childhood voice stresses Nikhil as he fears his voice acting career might end. When he is prompted to star in the school’s musical, he opens up to his new school. Coming out in his school paper, something he didn’t have a problem doing back in California. But soon Nikhil experiences not only pressure for his career but hatred from those in his new community who want him out of the school play. I liked Nikhil, he was a strong protagonist and he had a lot of heart.

Triggers: Homophobia