TJ Powar Has Something to Prove

By: Jesmeen Kaur Deo

Narrated by: Mayuri Bhandari

“With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is rife with insight and rich with rom-com joy, often on the same page.” — Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of If I’m Being Honest

When TJ Powar—a pretty, popular debater—and her cousin Simran become the subject of a meme: with TJ being the “expectation” of dating an Indian girl and her Sikh cousin who does not remove her body hair being the “reality”—TJ decides to take a stand.

She ditches her razors, cancels her waxing appointments, and sets a debate resolution for herself: “This House Believes That TJ Powar can be her hairy self, and still be beautiful.” Only, as she sets about proving her point, she starts to seriously doubt anyone could care about her just the way she is—even when the infuriating boy from a rival debate team seems determined to prove otherwise.

As her carefully crafted sense of self begins to crumble, TJ realizes that winning this debate may cost her far more than the space between her eyebrows. And that the hardest judge to convince of her arguments might just be herself.

Critic reviews

“TJ Powar Has Something To Prove is unlike any book I’ve read before. It’s unflinchingly honest, real, and raw in its examination of body image. Every hairy brown girl will see a reflection of their lives in its page.”—Adiba Jaigirdar, author of Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating and The Henna Wars


“With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is rife with insight and rich with rom-com joy, often on the same page.”—Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of If I’m Being Honest

"There’s much to appreciate about this book...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."--Kirkus Reviews

"Filled with heart, humor, and a swoon-worthy academic rivals-to-lovers romance of my dreams, Jesmeen Kaur Deo proves self-worth isn’t up for debate. Be It Resolved That I’ll be a forever fan!"--Jessica Parra, author of Rubi Ramos' Recipe for Success

*"In [a] poignant debut...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."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

great book for young adults

great story and enjoyable to listen to. I feel some of the other characters could of been mentioned more but overall an enjoyable boom