I have come to the conclusion that I just don't like awkward puberty books. I know for some kids it must be very comforting and funny tho read about the painful social experience of other 12 year olds, but I just can't enjoy this genre without feeling all the painful middle school feelings. also, if you are going to put giant mustaches on the cover, the book should be pro mustache.
Update: I am changing my stance because I am an adult coming from a place where I long for books that have radical self-love and self acceptance, but having an adult see your struggle and help you resolve it is a very loving and pro-body think too, and I forgot what puberty feels like, and I totally shave my mustache. ( )

Very girl friendship focused, household changes (father now stay a t home, mom now away a lot, grandma recently passed), body image -- Karma has a mustache coming in and feels bad about it. BFF Sarah is ditching her for new cool-girl Lacey. Lacey's kind of a jerk and the boys are constantly talking about 'stache attacks. The Punjabi cultural additions are cool, and Karma is an interesting kids with her own way of dealing with things.

On the eve of 6th grade, Kharma sprouts 17 hairs on her upper lip. Mortified and afraid to ask her stay-at-home dad for help, she is teased and soon finds herself on the outs. The nickname 'Stache sticks and her former best friend starts spending time with the new cool girl from California. Will Kharma figure out how to get rid of her facial hair? Who will Kharma hang out with? Will 6th grade be the worst year yet or will Kharma figure out how to make lemonade out of lemons? ( )

A true "challenges of starting middle school" novel: best friends no longer being best friends, middle school bullying, mean girls, mean boys, cultural insensitivities, misunderstandings, embarrassing parents and, to top it off, puberty. The main character, Karma, suffers, but draws strength from the life lessons of her recently deceased paternal grandmother, Dadima. My only negative comment is that I wished it had shown the emotional bullying going on was punished/stopped/addressed more strongly by the school. ( )