Karma Khullar's Mustache

Karma Khullar--half Indian, half white; half Sikh, half Methodist--is starting sixth grade, and she's pretty sure that the universe is against her. With her mother working full-time, leaving her father to make lunches and take Karma bra shopping, life at home has required adjustments. Meanwhile, Karma's best friend Sara is suddenly obsessed with hair, makeup, and the snarky girl from California who just moved in across the street. But Karma's biggest problem is the 17 new hairs on her upper lip that are a magnet for attention--the unwelcome kind. As tension grows with Sara, and her classmates' taunts about her hairy lip escalate, Karma attempts to take control of her own destiny. Debut author Wientge neatly captures how it feels to be different, especially as an adolescent. The bullying that Karma faces, both for her "mustache" and the Indian dishes her father packs for her lunches, will be relatable to many readers. The novel's ending--hopeful but not completely happily-ever-after--sends a strong message of self-acceptance and resilience. Ages 8-12. Agent: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Aug.)