Publishers Weekly
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In Deo’s poignant debut, Punjabi Sikh Canadian high school senior TJ Powar is horrified when a photo of her freshly waxed and threaded face is used in a meme as the pretty “after” to her cousin Simran’s “before.” TJ resolves to disprove the cruel joke’s toxic message surrounding beauty standards by no longer removing her body hair, insisting that she can embrace her natural body and be respected, which results in her boyfriend dumping her in disgust. Emotional upsets with her best friend and Simran, and a decline in her own self-worth complicate matters further. When her cute debate partner, Charlie, compliments her protest, TJ feels validated, but as her feelings for him grow, she dreads the long hours they must spend alone together preparing for Nationals now that she no longer sees herself as beautiful enough for him. As TJ struggles with her own self-image, she engages in valuable moments of internal reflection while reconciling her own role in upholding­—and dismantling—harmful beauty expectations. Deo delivers a refreshing take on the familiar self-love narrative, portraying characters across the Indian diaspora whose determination to be themselves, irrespective of Western cultural perspectives, drives home the idea that the perception of oneself through a singular lens is often incomplete. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary. (June)

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

TJ has always known who she is—a star debater, an excellent soccer player, a reliable friend, and good girlfriend. But when a meme rips through her school mocking her cousin for her body hair, and praising TJ for her apparent lack of body hair, she beings to wonder: If she stopped all the waxing and plucking, would people look at her differently? After throwing out her arsenal of hair removal tools, TJ learns a lot about how she's viewed by her classmates and friends and begins to understand how she can be more true to herself. In her debut novel, Kaur Deo is never preachy, opting instead to deliver a nuanced portrait of a smart teenager who always understands her worth but can still be hurt from the harsh judgement of others. TJ Powar Has Something To Prove weaves its theme of body positivity through an engaging narrative about surprising crushes and the thrill of high-school debate, giving readers many relatable touch points throughout the novel.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Though Tejindar “TJ” Powar’s palms get sweaty while she’s launching into a debate speech, she’s pretty, plays soccer, and hangs out with cool, confident friends and her doting athlete boyfriend. So what if that sheen of perfection comes at the cost of a world of hurt and hours spent at the salon getting waxed and threaded? But when her cousin Simran becomes the subject of a derogatory viral meme comparing her negatively to TJ, it gets very personal. TJ sets a debate resolution, striving to prove the point that inner beauty matters more than outer beauty. As things heat up, with TJ ditching her razors and epilator, she finds herself in even hairier situations with her friends, family, and peers—and they’re much more painful than any salon treatments. There’s much to appreciate about this book, especially the cool girl protagonist who begins to question her self-worth. Fans of school stories will enjoy the humor, romance, and fun characters who navigate lost relationships, friendships that endure, and reminders that some people will always have your back—no matter how hairy it may be. Also refreshing is the way the book unpacks South Asian heritage, focusing on characters who are Punjabi Sikh Canadians without pandering to stereotypes or othering cultural elements by overexplaining them. This crisp read covers beauty, body image, gender expectations, and conformity without feeling labored or pedantic. An entertaining novel that confronts toxic beauty standards. (Fiction. 13-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.