A BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • An impossible first love. A girl caught between two worlds. A country on the verge of chaos.
“Epic and almost surreal in scope . . . [A] fast-paced whirlwind of startling images, action, and heartfelt emotion.”—National Public Radio
“A riveting, historically accurate, coming-of-age tale of gutsy survival, self-sacrifice, and love.”—Booklist, starred review
It is 1984, and fifteen-year-old Maya is on her way to India with her father. She carries with her the ashes of her mother, who recently committed suicide, and arrives in Delhi on the eve of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination and one of the bloodiest riots in the country’s history.
Maya is separated from her father and must rely upon the help of a young man she’s just met—the mysterious, kindhearted Sandeep—if she is to stay alive and make it home. But as her love for Sandeep begins to blossom, Maya must face the truth about her painful adolescence . . . if she’s ever to imagine her future.
On sale: January 5, 2012
Age: 12 and up
Grade: Grade 7 & Up
Page count: 544 Pages
ISBN: 9781595143846
Cathy Ostlere (www.cathyostlere.com) is the author of
Lost: A Memoir, which was short-listed for the 2009 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. She lives in Calgary, Alberta.
Karma is her first novel for young adults.
“Karma is a spectacular, sophisticated tale that will stick with readers long after they’re done considering its last lines.”
—School Library Journal, starred review“A beautiful and breathtaking glimpse into one girl’s tragedy and perseverance.”
—BCCB, starred review“Epic and almost surreal in scope . . . [A] fast-paced whirlwind of startling images, action, and heartfelt emotion.”
—National Public Radio“The love and respect that grows between the two characters offers hope that they will both find a place to belong after all.”
—The Horn Book
