This was a really fun middle grade novel! I love reading stories with amazing south asian representation, and this one was so different. Sheela Chari wrote a story filled with laughter and love, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

I am friends with some other reviewers who also received this ARC and we all fell in love with Karthik as a character. I am a huge fan of representation in new books, and this was a great addition!

Karthik is skilled at making lists and remembering things. Those skills are being put to work by his father who enlists him to spend the summer before starting high school delivering groceries for his struggling grocery store. It is far from his ideal way to spend the summer. As Karthik gets to know the regulars who he is delivering groceries to, one customer who is impressed with his skills at remembering things offers him the opportunity to perform in a play that she has written about composer young Leonard Bernstein. Karthik is reluctant at first, but eventually agrees to take on the role, but keeps the play a secret from his family. His mother is insistent that he become a doctor in the future, and he thinks that performing as an actor is at odds with his parents’ expectations. As the summer progresses and Karthik learns more about Bernstein and his life, he also learns more about his own family and his identity. The book’s characters from Karthik to his Indian-American family, friends, and the store customers are well-developed and engaging. I loved how the story addressed not only Karthik figuring out and following his dreams, but also put his parents’ dreams into play as a factor in the story. Older middle grade readers will relate to Karthik’s struggle to figure out who he is, what he wants, and where he fits in his community—all while navigating his first crush. A great coming of age story for fans of realistic fiction!

The premise of this novel is unique: an Indian-American boy is recruited by an aspiring playwright to star in her one-act play. The fun, diverse characters in the novel, made the story fun, even as it showed the struggles of working class families during an economic downturn and the pressures often faced by the children of immigrants. Chari realistically portrays middle school relationships, complete with bullies and crushes. The choice of Leonard Bernstein as the main character of the play makes sense and yet is unlikely to draw in young readers (although the recent remake of West Side Story may help.) In general, I didn't always feel like the many different elements quite gelled, although the book did hold my interest. Not an essential middle grade read, but solid. If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars.

Karthik is the delivery driver for his father's grocery store specializing in Indian ingredients. Karthik struggles in social situations, and especially struggles to attract the attention of a girl he's interested in named Juli. What he lacks in social skills he makes up in his affinity towards lists and the hard work he puts into his job at the grocery store. One day, Karthik delivers groceries to the home of a girl named Shanthi who is writing a play about the life of Lenny Bernstein, the writer of the West Side Story. Shanthi sees unrecognized talent in Karthik and enlists hime to play the role of Lenny. As the story progresses, Karthik finds inspiration in Lenny's story of doing what makes you happy for a living, and the opportunity also gives Karthik a voice he wished he always had.

This is a book that deals with themes of family expectations, finding one's own voice in the world, and following your own path to happiness. Karthik's newfound confidence seeps into the lives of everyone in his family, especially his mother who, at first, is apprehensive to Karthik's newfound interest in acting. He convinces both her and his father, to leave behind their fears and follow their dreams. The correlation to the plot of the West Side Story will attract readers to the "star-crossed lovers" theme, but with a happy twist at the end.

I really enjoyed this story. Karthik was so relatable and I really enjoyed his voice. I appreciated his struggle with trying to figure out what was special about himself and how he could stand out. I also could relate to his struggles with bullies and finding his voice to stand up for himself. As a child of immigrants, I related heavily to how he & his friends who were the same, were seeking to find their & their families' place in this world. As a sibling (though I'm the older one), I was right there were the difficulties of navigating a sibling relationship and how tough it can be. Though this story took place in the past, it feels very relevant to this time and what kids are experiencing, especially since so many adults lost work/jobs to COVID. I think would be a wonderful addition to any curriculum/classroom/school & personal library!

Karthik finds himself spending his summer before high school delivering groceries on his bicycle at the neighborhood store owned by his Dad. It is a long hot summer and Karthik is not happy about his role. His sister is studying for an exam, his Mom is trying to direct his interest to a medical career, and all his friends are having ice cream. Karthik meets new friends as he delivers his father's groceries, one of particular interest has written a play. To Karthick's surprise, she wants him to play the lead. Karthik's one talent, his ability to remember will be challenged and he will grow and learn from the opportunity. Karthick is a really interesting character and the author portrays the real challenges of a young man with immigrant roots growing up in America. The plot is interesting and Karthik is a likable character. .Thanks to #NetGalley#KarthikDelivers for the opportunity to read and review this book. .

Karthik Raghavan is good at remembering things, from his bike routes to ice cream flavors. His summer is full from helping out at the family store, to his mother’s pushing to study and focus to succeed. When he secretly agrees to be in a play about the famous musician, Leonard Bernstien, it seems his luck changes. But the pressures of his family from their worries about the Financial Crisis and the family store in jeopardy, is worrying. What if acting is his talent, what can he truly imagine with such uncertainty?
What a compelling story! I really enjoyed seeing Karthik’s world. It was full of interesting people that I felt like I could have met in my life. They had their own stories and hopes that Karthik discovered as he was on his journey. None of the characters seemed flat. Karthik was also very engaging. He seemed very real and relatable. He was trying to figure out his place amongst his family, peers, and in the world. There was a lot in his life that felt uncertain and it was exciting to follow him as he learned.
I think that the story moved along smoothly, though there was definitely a slow resolution. It is a story based on life, and things do not all fix themselves. But Karthik learned a lot and gained a greater understanding of the world he had around him. He gained people and perspective into their lives. He was able to become closer to his family and understand them. I really enjoyed the relationships and having the play of Leonard Bernstein was really cool. I enjoyed seeing some of the parallels and growth Karthik saw in it.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book! It is a middle grade novel, with some language. I would recommend it to those who enjoy coming-of-age stories, especially for those looking for some diversity in their characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

Karthik is such a likable guy. Set in Allston, MA, giving it local color, Karthik finds himself, delivering groceries the summer before high school. His customers, his family, his crush, his friends old and new, and his love of ice cream all play a role in this touching and fun read.

This is a great pick for fans of realistic fiction stories about belonging, navigating parent expectations, and self-discovery with multicultural protagonists. Set in Boston in 2008 during the financial crisis, middle schooler Karthik is forced to spend the summer delivering groceries for his family's Indian grocery store. The only real fun in his day is when he stops at the local ice cream shop between deliveries to hang out with friends and (hopefully) get a glimpse of his crush. His mom is always leaving medical articles for him to read to prepare him for his future career as a doctor that she's selected for him. When he deliveries groceries to a graduate student working on a one-act play who thinks he'd be the perfect actor for the role of young Leonard Bernstein, he is exposed to a whole new view of the world. Throw in some mean kid drama, a bit of romance, sibling rivalry, and family financial strain as well as a layered and likable cast of characters and you've got a great read!