Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · April 27, 2022

Review | Karthik Delivers

Book Review - Karthik Delivers

Summary: Karthik Delivers

In Karthik Delivers, 14-year-old Karthik Raghavan is spending his last summer of middle school delivering groceries for his father’s Indian grocery store. When he’s not playing delivery boy, he’s hanging out with his best friends and sneaking glances at his crush whenever he runs into her. It’s the early 2000s in Boston, Massachusetts, and the recession is causing store closures. Karthik’s father’s store becomes at greater risk of closure when Juhi’s family opens an Indian restaurant (also selling pre-packaged ready-to-cook items). But the most interesting part of Karthik’s summer? A university student wants him to act as Leonard Bernstein in her play. Can Karthik deliver?

The Good

First off, this is firmly in upper middle grade territory, which I loved.

Brief rant: I read an ignorant (forgive me, but it’s annoying when people who don’t understand how kid lit works try to make sweeping generalizations) review about how this book isn’t for middle schoolers because the protagonist is 14. That’s false. I remember that these were the kinds of books I loved when I was 12-15 years old. Many middle grade books target kids in that sweet 9-12 range, but older tweens who aren’t ready for young adult literature are grossly under-served, so I’m glad books like this exist.

Karthik is sweet and sensitive and has a massive crush on Juhi. I loved their narrative arc because sometimes the people you crush on have their own issues and insecurities (especially if they’re teens) and may take a while to figure themselves out. That happens with Juhi who initially is rolling with a crowd that mocks Karthik and his friends.

I also loved the store scenes and this book will hit home very nicely for kids who’ve had a background like Karthik’s. His father left a tech job to start a store — much like the dad in Respicio’s How to Win a Slime War. His mother always wanted to be a doctor but never got to, so she’s pushing Karthik to develop an interest in medicine, even though the sight of blood makes him queasy. The author delves into all of these themes with plenty of insight and sensitivity.

Finally, for Karthik’s play, he does a lot of work to believe in himself and learns a ton from Leonard Bernstein’s life. I didn’t love the musical theater aspect all the time because I much preferred reading about Karthik’s life, relationships with store patrons, and with his parents and sister. But some readers might love the latter more.

Overall: Karthik Delivers

Karthik Delivers is a unique, refreshing look at a family dealing with financial struggles and a young teen discovering his passions. This is peak upper middle grade literature that highlights sweet male friendships, a budding crush (with hand-holding at the end!), academic pressures in immigrant families, and a growing love for acting and the arts. Older middle schoolers (7th grade and up) will love this one, especially if they aren’t afraid of longer books.


Buy This Book

Karthik Delivers

More Book Reviews

  • Up for Air by Laurie Morrison
  • The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist
  • The Unforgettable Logan Foster by Shawn Peters

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · Tagged: male friendships, musical theater, siblings, summer stories, tween crushes

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

middle grade books set in summer47 Middle-Grade Books Set in the Summer
Review | Coming Up Short
Review | Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

Best Book Shirts for Kids

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd


Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸
🌧️ when the clouds come in 🌧️ ♟️ chess in MG lit ♟️ ✨a suspenseful middle grade book✨ ✨chapter books worth reading!✨ Welcoming a second baby? Here’s a delightful picture book with tips for big kids. Although there’s more text in this one than I’d like for a typical picture book, I love that the information is factual and can be very helpful for parents tackling these specific questions with their big kids ❤️ ❓What happened to Rachel Riley❓
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...