At Cleo Nelson's new school, many of the sixth graders seem a lot older and cooler than her. That's probably because they're a California eleven--which is like fourteen everywhere else. But that hasn't stopped Cleo from making one good friend- Samantha. So when a mysterious gift arrives in the mail, Cleo can't wait to share the voodoo doll with Sam. The note from Cleo's uncle says to use the doll for good, happy, voodoo charms. They aren't sure the magic is real, but when they wish for a treat for Sam and the cafeteria serves up a pizza surprise, the girls decide there's at least something real about the magic. But as their charms get bigger (like trying to hex the popular girl into being nicer...only to get her in major trouble with the principal) the girls start to realize that happy charms can be twisted...