The Karma Club » (First Edition)

Jessica Brody graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts with degrees in economics and French. In 2005, she left her job at MGM Studios in Los Angeles to become a full-time freelance writer and producer. Jessica currently lives in Los Angeles, where she is working on her second novel. Visit Jessica's website at www.thefidelityfiles.com

Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. Do good things and you'll be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what you deserve. But when Maddy’s boyfriend cheats on her, nothing bad comes his way. That’s why Maddy starts the Karma Club, to clean up the messes that the universe has left behind. Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. It turns out Karma often has plans of its own.

Publishers Weekly

Adult novelist Brody's first book for teens revolves around the principle of “what goes around comes around.” When 17-year-old Madison Kasparkova's supposedly devoted all-American boyfriend, Mason, suddenly dumps her for the popular, porcelain-skinned Heather, the humiliated Maddy decides that while karmic balance is all well and good, it could use a helping hand (“Personally, I'm tired of waiting for the universe to get off its butt and start fixing stuff”). She and her best friends, Angie and Jade, form the secret Karma Club, “to clean up the messes that the universe has been leaving behind,” swearing off boys and giving those who have wronged them a dose of what they dished out. Their pranks range from the humorous Operation Butter Face (replacing Heather's medicated acne cream with Crisco) to the serious (turning Mason in for cheating on his SATs). A rosy ending that verges on corny awaits Maddy, but not before she learns the real meaning of karma—that good deeds are rewarded. It's a well-paced comedy, with a nice balance of cinematic physical humor and genuine teen emotions. Ages 12 up. (May)