Your Worth is Definitely Not Debatable

Jesmeen Kaur Deo writes a coming-of-age story about the difficulties of body image, when society views hairiness as not beautiful. Tejindar (TJ) Power has everything a high school student needs to be popular: beauty, friends, soccer, and an extroverted personality. Except when her cousin Simran is compared to her in a cruel meme, popularity doesn’t feel so great. TJ starts doubting if her friends would still like her if she was hairy, and could she even find love. She is determined to debate this issue properly, to definitively prove that she can be hairy and beautiful. The hardest judge of this hypothesis may just be herself.

Jesmeen Kaur Deo captures the emotional struggles of being in high school really well. TJ Power experience all of the awkward experiences of growing up, and defining herself. She is a complex character as she genuinely struggles with the concepts of popular views on beauty, and her own identity. Though, in the end she still has some more to learn, as she becomes aware that she is not the only one who struggles with body image. Her biggest realization is that her friends have passions outside of TJ herself, and that in living entirely in her own problems she misses the individuality of others. TJ also never discusses her doubts with family, friends, or her esthetician until her anxiety becomes unable to hide.

The best part of this story is her relationship with Charlie, her debating rival. When other people in her life reject, misunderstand, or are unaware of her challenge, Charlie seeks to understand her point of view. Their interactions offer a sweet comedy in between some of the heavier issues. He challenges her to be a better person, while accepting whatever she wants to be. In the end it’s TJ’s decision to be comfortable in her own skin. This may be a hard-hitting issue, but Jesmeen Kaur Deo offers a challenge to discuss and debate beauty standards. But always remember your worth is definitely not debatable. ( )

Amazing. Show-stopping. I love books with feminist themes and kind heroes. ( )

TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is Jesmeen Kaur Deo's absolutely brilliant debut novel.

Why/what/who/where and how you ask? Let's start with the who. Deo's lead character is TJ, a popular senior at high school, first string on the soccer team, a leader of the debate team, a friend to all and is Liam's beautiful girlfriend.

But what does she have to prove? Well, when her cousin Samrin is the target of a hurtful meme, TJ takes a stand. She will let all of her body hair grow, unchecked. "This house believes that TJ Powar can be her hairy self and still be beautiful."

I liked TJ in the first few chapters and I adored her by the last few. She's such a dynamic personality - quick, smart, caring and principled. But she's vulnerable and unsure as well. Do you remember the pressure at high school to conform in so many ways, with physical appearance being right up there at the top? Now, can you see yourself bucking the trend and saying no to hair removal of all kinds. And sticking to it when your life starts to fall apart?

There's a great cast of supporting players as well. I thought the high school strata was well written and believable. And the same for family, friends and relationships. Matters of the heart are a large part of TJ Powar's story. There are some wonderfully funny bits and on the flip side, some very poignant, true life moments.

Deo has employed a unique and very apt platform for the plot. Debating. Arguing for and against topics in front of others and being judged. TJ's mental debates with herself are so well written and structured. (I had no idea it was so cutthroat either!)

There's so much food for thought in TJ Powar. I'll leave you with this from TJ's esthetician..."Hair has no gender darling. It's just hair. Do what you want with it, but it does not make you less of a woman. It does not make you less interesting, less worthy, or less deserving Understood?"

This was such a fantastic read and a very easy five stars. I will be eagerly awaiting Deo's next book! ( )