We're back in the wonderful world of YA, and my guest this week is Jesmeen Kaur Deo, author of TJ POWAR HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE, a book that takes on high school pettiness, Eurocentric beauty standards, and high school debate teams. I personally related on so many levels. Jesmeen and I chat about the intricacies of debate, the joys of writing a headstrong character, and how the choice to remove or leave body hair takes on a whole new meaning to South Asians. 

We switch gears entirely with Kenneth Oppel's AIRBORN, a childhood favorite of Jesmeen's that hearkens back to the adventure novels of yore, with snappy dialogue and a steampunk aesthetic to boot. We talk about the fun of anachronisms, another headstrong protagonist, and the joys of a wonderful audiobook adaptation, as well as so much more. As always, no spoilers!

Buy Jesmeen's book: https://bookshop.org/books/tj-powar-has-something-to-prove/9780593403396

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Short Story Book Club for June: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson