What do you think?
Rate this book
Queen of Likes
A tween social media queen is forced to give up her phone and learn that there’s more to life than likes in this M!X novel from the author of The Hot List .
Karma Cooper is a seventh grader with thousands of followers on SnappyPic. Before Karma became a social media celebrity, she wasn’t part of the in-crowd at Merton Middle School. But thanks to one serendipitous photo, Karma has become a very popular poster on SnappyPic. Besides keeping up with all of her followers, like most kids at MMS, her smartphone—a bejeweled pink number Karma nicknamed Floyd—is like a body part she could never live without.
But after breaking some basic phone rules, Karma’s cruel, cruel parents take Floyd away, and for Karma, her world comes to a screeching halt. Can Karma—who can text, post photos, play soccer, and chew gum all at the same time—learn to go cold turkey and live her life fully unplugged?
Karma Cooper is a seventh grader with thousands of followers on SnappyPic. Before Karma became a social media celebrity, she wasn’t part of the in-crowd at Merton Middle School. But thanks to one serendipitous photo, Karma has become a very popular poster on SnappyPic. Besides keeping up with all of her followers, like most kids at MMS, her smartphone—a bejeweled pink number Karma nicknamed Floyd—is like a body part she could never live without.
But after breaking some basic phone rules, Karma’s cruel, cruel parents take Floyd away, and for Karma, her world comes to a screeching halt. Can Karma—who can text, post photos, play soccer, and chew gum all at the same time—learn to go cold turkey and live her life fully unplugged?
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
17 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Hillary Homzie
15 books97 followersHillary H. B. Homzie's background as a writer and performer of sketch comedy informs her first novel for tweens. Her Aladdin chapter book series Alien Clones from Outer Space has been adapted as an animated TV series in Australia and may be shown in the US in the future. She lives in Napa, California with her family.
See also H.B. Homzie
See also H.B. Homzie
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 5, 2016
Mmmm, anti-technology cautionary tales.
We have a girl names Karma who is obsessed with an Instagram-style clone. Her parents don't like her social media fame, she breaks a rule and loses access to the phone. She quickly Learns Her Lesson through volunteering and that there's more to life than just getting approval on social media. Everyone's happy.
Argh, this book. Yes, there's more to life than technology and social media. No, that doesn't mean that we must treat our phones like cancer. No, this doesn't mean that we need to be Luddites about everything. No, this especially doesn't mean we need to treat local historical societies as the last standard-bearers of a more innocent and humane time in which technology wasn't perverting everything.
This book just irritated me. Everything about it felt insincere and melodramatic, from the cover to the cardboard caricatures within the book. It's almost too preachy and on the nose, and sends just a terrible message. There's a way to write a book about our relationship with technology (especially in a teen/school setting) that does not require us to look at technology in such a negative way. It's just as unhealthy to treat cell phones, social media, and the like as negative tools as it is to be chained to our devices, and this book misses that completely.
Avoid this like the plague. It's just not a good read or a good message. Closer to a 1.5, but I'm not feeling generous.
We have a girl names Karma who is obsessed with an Instagram-style clone. Her parents don't like her social media fame, she breaks a rule and loses access to the phone. She quickly Learns Her Lesson through volunteering and that there's more to life than just getting approval on social media. Everyone's happy.
Argh, this book. Yes, there's more to life than technology and social media. No, that doesn't mean that we must treat our phones like cancer. No, this doesn't mean that we need to be Luddites about everything. No, this especially doesn't mean we need to treat local historical societies as the last standard-bearers of a more innocent and humane time in which technology wasn't perverting everything.
This book just irritated me. Everything about it felt insincere and melodramatic, from the cover to the cardboard caricatures within the book. It's almost too preachy and on the nose, and sends just a terrible message. There's a way to write a book about our relationship with technology (especially in a teen/school setting) that does not require us to look at technology in such a negative way. It's just as unhealthy to treat cell phones, social media, and the like as negative tools as it is to be chained to our devices, and this book misses that completely.
Avoid this like the plague. It's just not a good read or a good message. Closer to a 1.5, but I'm not feeling generous.
April 26, 2016
Twelve-year-old Karma Cooper loves getting Likes on the photo-sharing app, Snappypic, and she goes online any opportunity she can get. She knows everything about her 12 thousand followers and all the tricks to get more Likes. She's so attached to her phone, that she's even given it (him) a name, Floyd. But disaster strikes when her mother takes Floyd away and cancels her Snappypic account as punishment for using it during Milton P. Daniels' bar mitzvah. What follows is an account of Karma's days without Floyd and the Likes that she has come to depend upon for her self-esteem.
Even without her phone, Karma still thinks in terms of what she would text, what she would photograph, and how she would caption her photos. Nevertheless, she eventually finds out the real meaning of "Like" and discovers the pleasure of taking photos for herself and not others. "I focus on what's important, what's right in front of me," she says. Even the cute "My stats" and "Mood" sections at the end of every chapter slowly become less about Karma's followers and more about real life. The characters behave like real people - moody, but not one-dimensional mean girls. While Karma is always expecting the worst from everyone, the way they act usually turns out to be a pleasant surprise. This is a story about a girl who needs to stop worrying about who likes her and start liking herself. It's a lesson from which everybody can benefit.
A great read for ages 9 and up, especially girls.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (26 April): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
Even without her phone, Karma still thinks in terms of what she would text, what she would photograph, and how she would caption her photos. Nevertheless, she eventually finds out the real meaning of "Like" and discovers the pleasure of taking photos for herself and not others. "I focus on what's important, what's right in front of me," she says. Even the cute "My stats" and "Mood" sections at the end of every chapter slowly become less about Karma's followers and more about real life. The characters behave like real people - moody, but not one-dimensional mean girls. While Karma is always expecting the worst from everyone, the way they act usually turns out to be a pleasant surprise. This is a story about a girl who needs to stop worrying about who likes her and start liking herself. It's a lesson from which everybody can benefit.
A great read for ages 9 and up, especially girls.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (26 April): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
May 29, 2016
Booktalk:
Karma Cooper isn’t cool … or wasn’t cool, before SnappyPic. On SnappyPic, Karma has thousands of followers and gets hundreds of likes just for taking great photos and writing captions.
Karma’s social media celebrity has earned her some status with the Queen Bees of the school, who want to capitalize on her social media popularity to help promote Spirit Week. Truly she’ll have the chance to rise to popularity with these girls’ support.
There’s only one problem…. Karma’s parents confiscated her phone and deleted her SnappyPic account.
Review:
This book is everything a serviceable middle grades book should be towards reluctant readers or readers who need relevant, contemporary, fast-paced books with short chapters and sections. There is nothing overly charming about the text and there are some plot points that go astray like bits of hair on a bad hair day.
Nevertheless I look forward to adding this title and more like these to my library collection - I have an audience for them!
Karma Cooper isn’t cool … or wasn’t cool, before SnappyPic. On SnappyPic, Karma has thousands of followers and gets hundreds of likes just for taking great photos and writing captions.
Karma’s social media celebrity has earned her some status with the Queen Bees of the school, who want to capitalize on her social media popularity to help promote Spirit Week. Truly she’ll have the chance to rise to popularity with these girls’ support.
There’s only one problem…. Karma’s parents confiscated her phone and deleted her SnappyPic account.
Review:
This book is everything a serviceable middle grades book should be towards reluctant readers or readers who need relevant, contemporary, fast-paced books with short chapters and sections. There is nothing overly charming about the text and there are some plot points that go astray like bits of hair on a bad hair day.
Nevertheless I look forward to adding this title and more like these to my library collection - I have an audience for them!
May 14, 2016
7th grader Karma is the Queen of social media. She has more followers on Snappypic than anyone she knows. It’s a lot of work posting pictures and managing her accounts. But when her mom finds her hiding in a restroom instead of attending her friend’s bar mitsvah, Karma loses her phone and her Snappypic account. Now she’s not only lost her followers, but she’s having a hard time being publicity chair of spirit week. Maintaining her standing with the popular crowd is almost impossible without the ability to send and receive text messages. But she’s enjoying her new volunteer job at the History Museum and her class in photography is wonderful, so, maybe being “disconnected” is a good thing.
Part of the Aladdin Mix series, this clean read looks at the distractions of social media. I loved that the popular group weren’t mean girls. Homzie has a good grasp of middle school voice, and the everyday problems of these young teenagers and achieves it without any swearing or mature talk.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
Part of the Aladdin Mix series, this clean read looks at the distractions of social media. I loved that the popular group weren’t mean girls. Homzie has a good grasp of middle school voice, and the everyday problems of these young teenagers and achieves it without any swearing or mature talk.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
April 2, 2016
Seventh-grader Karma Cooper moves from almost invisible to celebrity status overnight when her SnappyPic photos go viral. She’s thrilled to be part of the popular crowd, but her dream life disappears when her parents decide on the worst punishment ever – taking her smartphone.
How can a social media diva survive without her phone?
Karma’s struggles to maintain her social status while living her life unplugged are both humorous and realistic. Anyone who can’t live without a smartphone can definitely relate to Karma’s problems. And readers of Homzie’s other books are sure to love this one. As always, Homzie is the master of comedy.
How can a social media diva survive without her phone?
Karma’s struggles to maintain her social status while living her life unplugged are both humorous and realistic. Anyone who can’t live without a smartphone can definitely relate to Karma’s problems. And readers of Homzie’s other books are sure to love this one. As always, Homzie is the master of comedy.
March 28, 2016
Karma has a problem that will sound all too familiar to many readers. She spends far too much time on her phone. Her happiness is dictated by how many likes her social media photos get. When her parents take her phone away as punishment, she has to find new ways to validate herself. I loved this book. It has an important message disguised in an entertaining story, which is the best thing a middle grade book can do!
September 5, 2019
Queen of Likes gets a definite "LIKE" from me! A wonderful and relevant read about the influence of social media in our lives, and finding an identity outside of cyberspace (with a good blend of humor and fun as well!). It's a perfect read for tweens or even anyone on social media. I loved it!!
December 10, 2024
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline
Karma is addicted to her phone, and to posting things and commenting on other people's photos on SnappyPic. When she spends most of a Bar Mitzvah in the bathroom on her phone, her mother is outraged and takes it away from her, giving her a flip phone instead, since this isn't the first time Karma has run afoul of the rules. Karma is worried that she will lose all of her popularity-- she has a ton of followers, not only at her school, but at other schools as well. And how will she communicate with her friends? It's especially irritating when the school has Spirit Week, and Karma is supposed to be in charge of social media. She manages to keep up, barely, by borrowing a friend's phone, but runs into problems there as well, since students are supposed to have their phones off and away during school, and her friend's phone is taken by the principal. Will Karma ever be able to get her phone back AND keep up with her socializing?
Strengths: This certainly is an accurate depiction of how addicted students are to their phones! Out students are allowed to have them out at lunch, and it makes for sad and pathetic socializing. I think a lot of readers would pick this up.
39895512295306Weaknesses: Like any technology in a book, this will date very quickly. Remember MySpace? Pagers? Blackberries? (What were those? No idea.) I still love The Mark of Conte (1976) by Sonia Levitin, but most tech books don't last more than ten years. There are a few inconsistencies in the book as well-- they are told to have social media, but no one is allowed to check it at school?
What I really think: Since this is only available in paperback, I probably won't buy it, since paperbacks don't last ten WEEKS in the library.
Karma is addicted to her phone, and to posting things and commenting on other people's photos on SnappyPic. When she spends most of a Bar Mitzvah in the bathroom on her phone, her mother is outraged and takes it away from her, giving her a flip phone instead, since this isn't the first time Karma has run afoul of the rules. Karma is worried that she will lose all of her popularity-- she has a ton of followers, not only at her school, but at other schools as well. And how will she communicate with her friends? It's especially irritating when the school has Spirit Week, and Karma is supposed to be in charge of social media. She manages to keep up, barely, by borrowing a friend's phone, but runs into problems there as well, since students are supposed to have their phones off and away during school, and her friend's phone is taken by the principal. Will Karma ever be able to get her phone back AND keep up with her socializing?
Strengths: This certainly is an accurate depiction of how addicted students are to their phones! Out students are allowed to have them out at lunch, and it makes for sad and pathetic socializing. I think a lot of readers would pick this up.
39895512295306Weaknesses: Like any technology in a book, this will date very quickly. Remember MySpace? Pagers? Blackberries? (What were those? No idea.) I still love The Mark of Conte (1976) by Sonia Levitin, but most tech books don't last more than ten years. There are a few inconsistencies in the book as well-- they are told to have social media, but no one is allowed to check it at school?
What I really think: Since this is only available in paperback, I probably won't buy it, since paperbacks don't last ten WEEKS in the library.
December 11, 2017
This book was good, not great, just good. First of all, Karma having thousands of followers on "SnappyPic", is highly unrealistic. By just posting that one photo which is a weird picture of some animal, there is NO way that could just get her that many followers. Am i overthinking this book? Probably. If the author will say Google in the book, i think she could have said Instagram. I wish in the end Karma went, "Hmm. Maybe i don't need my phone to be happy." Or, she wouldn't be as excited to get it back, just showing that girls don't need a phone to be entertained or happy. The author did do a good job at that, in the end, Karma was a good role model. I do suggest this book, and YES i know its a book and anything can be anything, Karma having so many followers DOES add to the story, and it would be a bore without the many followers. I wish her post that skyrocketed her fame was a cooler picture. Overall, it was good and i do recommend it if your looking for an entertaining book.
June 28, 2017
This book had a really good plot and a very important moral: You always get caught. The only problems I had with the book were Karma's Snappypic deletion (kinda extreme) and the school phone usage. However, I understand why Karma's parents deleted the account. Don't get me wrong because I love using my phone too (when I should be sleeping or reading.) Seriously though, I think being on your phone in school or church is rude, unnecessary, and a misplace waiting to happen. As for the school phone usuage, why would you be on your phone if you're so worried about getting caught? Just saying.
May 23, 2017
Interesting writing technique, but I thought the plot was predictable. I thought that the characters and story would be relatable, unfortunately, everything was a bit exaggerated. I did however, like the message of not being addicted to your phone. Overall, not a must read, but an acceptable book.
August 13, 2017
This would be a great read for any tween struggling with social media addiction (even if she doesn't know it). When Karma's parent's take away her phone, she feels like they've taken her identity. She has to learn who she is without it and finds she is something more rather than less.
October 19, 2019
For a young adult fiction, this is a cute story of a girl grounded from her phone and learns to view life that's in front of her in person. I love that she gets into photography and all the cute connections. Quick read for an afternoon. Recommend for teenage girls.
May 4, 2022
Overall a really good book. Although, I can't really relate to the troubles of getting your phone taken away. I don't even have one 🙃 I love that the main character is a religious girl! Jewish, but still. I also love the drama between Milton P. and Ella 💜
May 23, 2017
A fun timely story that will ring true with young teens with a good theme.
January 26, 2018
A fun read for upper-elementary kids. I enjoyed learning about growing up Jewish and photography, too!
Read
July 6, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Bullying
Bullying
November 23, 2025
kinda meh
April 11, 2016
This is a great wee book for middle grade readers. It not only teaches a great lesson, but it is a fun and funny read, which they will love.
I felt that the lesson taught, about the need to put electronics away and really enjoy life, it talks about making true friends, and how those on the Internet may be your friends, but they may not be able to be there when you need them and you could find that they aren't actually friends with you, but like you because of your social media following. It also showed the importance of getting out, doing things and actually experiencing life and friendship, away for electronics.
I thought the main character was excellent. She was relatable for most kids, given either her following, her popularity before or her interests. This makes her someone that most kids will be able to connect with and really link onto, which will make the lesson even more effective.
The read is not only a great lesson, but is also fun and enjoyable, in itself. It's like hiding fruit in ice cream, so you have the good snuck in with something they may not want when it is on its own. However, with the way the story is written, it is easy for kids to take away the lesson and really enjoy the story.
Overall, this is a great middle grade read.mi can see it becoming rather popular amongst kids and in libraries.
** I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
I felt that the lesson taught, about the need to put electronics away and really enjoy life, it talks about making true friends, and how those on the Internet may be your friends, but they may not be able to be there when you need them and you could find that they aren't actually friends with you, but like you because of your social media following. It also showed the importance of getting out, doing things and actually experiencing life and friendship, away for electronics.
I thought the main character was excellent. She was relatable for most kids, given either her following, her popularity before or her interests. This makes her someone that most kids will be able to connect with and really link onto, which will make the lesson even more effective.
The read is not only a great lesson, but is also fun and enjoyable, in itself. It's like hiding fruit in ice cream, so you have the good snuck in with something they may not want when it is on its own. However, with the way the story is written, it is easy for kids to take away the lesson and really enjoy the story.
Overall, this is a great middle grade read.mi can see it becoming rather popular amongst kids and in libraries.
** I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 25, 2016
Karma Cooper has a handle on how to get friends and keep them--Just make sure you give the people what they want – cute shots that will easily garner a “Like”. That way, your friendship base will grow and in turn you will gain confidence. How else are you supposed to feel good about who you are?
Well, that’s what she thought.
Queen of Likes is an up to date coming of age story that touches on many of the hallmarks of teen development in a heartfelt story about friendship, self discovery and the backbone of support that family can provide.
The relevance of a story like Queen of Likes is substantiated by recent articles such as the Seventeen Summit – Let’s Talk About…Living For The Like by Heather Viggiani in the March 2016 issue of Seventeen magazine. This timely article illustrates both the gains and losses many teens feel they are experiencing through the use of social media. Queen of Likes offers a comedic and relatable experience of life as a teenager seen through the lens of the main character Karma Cooper, and I am certain she is one teen you will want to get to know.
Homzie, Hillary - Queen of Likes
April 5, 2016, Aladdin
272 pages
Well, that’s what she thought.
Queen of Likes is an up to date coming of age story that touches on many of the hallmarks of teen development in a heartfelt story about friendship, self discovery and the backbone of support that family can provide.
The relevance of a story like Queen of Likes is substantiated by recent articles such as the Seventeen Summit – Let’s Talk About…Living For The Like by Heather Viggiani in the March 2016 issue of Seventeen magazine. This timely article illustrates both the gains and losses many teens feel they are experiencing through the use of social media. Queen of Likes offers a comedic and relatable experience of life as a teenager seen through the lens of the main character Karma Cooper, and I am certain she is one teen you will want to get to know.
Homzie, Hillary - Queen of Likes
April 5, 2016, Aladdin
272 pages
April 8, 2016
An authentic, must-read for all ages, Hillary Homzie delivers on a very real problem, social media.
The main character, Karma, is confident without sassiness, her view on the world has a tinge of humour, and she's refreshingly honest with herself, for example, "I feel a little plain, a little dumb, but I try not to think about it."
Karma's parents are both fair and firm, as are her teachers when it comes to rules, a valuable reminder we should all be on the same page when it comes to societal values.
And throughout the story, Karma tries her best to be a good person and friend, even if at times, it backfires.
Queen of Likes reminded me of the period in our lives when consequences of our actions felt so complicated and unfair, and yet when we understood them; oddly, they all made sense.
Thank you, Hillary.
The main character, Karma, is confident without sassiness, her view on the world has a tinge of humour, and she's refreshingly honest with herself, for example, "I feel a little plain, a little dumb, but I try not to think about it."
Karma's parents are both fair and firm, as are her teachers when it comes to rules, a valuable reminder we should all be on the same page when it comes to societal values.
And throughout the story, Karma tries her best to be a good person and friend, even if at times, it backfires.
Queen of Likes reminded me of the period in our lives when consequences of our actions felt so complicated and unfair, and yet when we understood them; oddly, they all made sense.
Thank you, Hillary.
September 16, 2018
Pitch-perfect, relevant, and fun novel for middle-schoolers. There are many things to love about this book. While the author focuses on a tween who is arguably addicted to her phone, she does not oversimplify the issue or suggest that all technology, or even social media, is in itself a bad thing. Also, I was happy to see that the tired "mean girl" trope didn't come into play here. All of the kids, popular or not, had their good points and their flaws. Overall, a fun, quick read that will provide kids with plenty to think about.
April 12, 2016
Readers will love watching what happens when Karma Cooper is forced to find validation from places other than her thousands of followers on Snappypic. Best of all, she learns to validate herself, explore her talents and act not based on what others might think, but on herself and her own values. Dynamic characters and a clever plot that didn't go where I initially thought it would. A really fun read!
April 14, 2016
**SPOILER FREE**
After reading this book I sat back and watch some young teen and young adults and realized just how real this book hit on the subject. I laughed. I felt like this story was really written about those around me. The plot is real! The characters... real! And the story has moments of laughter and unbelievable realization... It was a fun read!
*Received for an honest review*
After reading this book I sat back and watch some young teen and young adults and realized just how real this book hit on the subject. I laughed. I felt like this story was really written about those around me. The plot is real! The characters... real! And the story has moments of laughter and unbelievable realization... It was a fun read!
*Received for an honest review*
April 5, 2016
Hillary Homzie's tween books consistently deliver a hilarious voice as well as the bittersweet realizations of young adults. Queen of Likes is a cautionary tale for kids - boys and girls - who get caught up in their online lives to the detriment of their real relationships. With warm, likable family members and realistic tween school settings, it's a great read for middle school kids.
Want to read
November 15, 2016I received a copy of this book from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews