Nikhil out loud
(Spoken CD)

Compact disc.

Title from container.

Read by Maulik Pancholy.

Thirteen-year-old Nikhil Shah is the beloved voice actor for Raj Reddy on the hit animated series Raj Reddy in Outer Space. But being a star on TV doesn₂t mean you have everything figured out behind the scenes. When his mom temporarily moves them to the small town in Ohio where she grew up to take care of Nikhil₂s sick grandfather, Nikhil feels as out of orbit as his character. Nikhil₂s fame lands him the lead in the school musical, but he₂s terrified that everyone will realize he₂s a fraud once they find out he can₂t sing. And when a group of conservative parents start to protest, making it clear they₂re not happy with an openly gay TV star being 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 about what₂s right, don₂t wrap up neatly between commercial breaks.