The 2026–2027 ELA Big Read text is Nikhil Out Loud, a heartfelt and timely middle grade novel by Maulik Pancholy. A Lambda Literary Award winner, the novel celebrates identity, courage, and the power of finding your voice.
The ELA Honor Society is thrilled to share that Maulik Pancholy will join us for a special webinar in November. It is an exciting opportunity for students to hear directly from the author and ask their own questions. More details will be announced soon.
In Nikhil Out Loud, readers meet thirteen-year-old Nikhil Shah, the voice behind a popular animated character, Raj Reddy. When his mother moves them to a small town in Ohio to care for his ailing grandfather, Nikhil suddenly feels out of place. Though his fame earns him the lead role in the school musical, Nikhil struggles with stage fright. As tensions rise in the community over his casting as an openly gay actor, Nikhil begins to wish life were as simple as the scripted world he knows so well. But when his voice begins to change, threatening his acting career, he’s forced to confront challenges that don’t come with easy resolutions.
Aimed specifically at middle grade readers, the novel explores themes of identity, family, friendship, courage, and self-expression. Through Nikhil’s journey, Pancholy captures the complexity of growing up and the importance of speaking out, even when it feels impossible.
Discover more about the ELA Big Read and the inspiring story of Nikhil Out Loud.
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Free Webinar with Ruta Sepetys
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