Needy Little Things

LoveReading Says

Astonishingly, this intense and compelling thriller is this author’s debut novel, but it is so well crafted and with such thought-provoking themes, that I am sure she will quickly become one to follow with eager anticipation.

In an original, magical realist twist on the thriller genre, the emotionally complex central character, Sariyah, has an uncanny psychic ability to sense what people need. Often these are small things that the recipient doesn't yet know they'll need, but these needs invade her mind, making it difficult to concentrate and any unfulfilled needs give her intense migraines.

How such a peculiar talent, known only to her family and her best friend Malcolm, would affect a normal teenager’s life is explored in convincing detail, particularly as she has to contend with guilt from the negative consequences of some of her donations. Most especially the one to her friend Deja, just before she goes missing. Her best friend Tessa was never found, and Sariyah is determined that this will not happen to another black girl, even if it means putting her own life in jeopardy.

The author does a brilliant job of highlighting the shocking bias in media coverage and police action, when a black woman goes missing compared to a white woman. But she is equally strong with complex family dynamics and relationships, teen friendships and emotions and her depiction of mental health and disabilities, as her mother struggles with depression and her brother has sickle cell disease, is both sensitive and realistic.

You can only admire the skilful way the story weaves in these heavy topics with levity, great dialogue, wonderful platonic friendships and the inevitable YA romantic interest. Add in a jaw dropping ending and you can see why this is such a powerful and thoroughly engrossing debut.

Reviewed by Joy Court
Joy Court is Reviews Editor for The School Librarian journal and Past Chair of the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals.
More reviews by Joy Court

About Needy Little Things

In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend's disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.Sariyah Lee Bryant can hear what people need-tangible things, like a pencil, a hair tie, a phone charger-an ability only her family and her best friend, Malcolm, know the truth about. But when she fulfills a need for her friend Deja who vanishes shortly after, Sariyah is left wondering if her ability is more curse than gift. This isn't the first time one of her friends has landed on the missing persons list, and she's determined not to let her become yet another forgotten Black girl. Not trusting the police and media to do enough on their own, Sariyah and her friends work together to figure out what led to Deja's disappearance. When Sariyah's mother loses her job and her little brother faces complications with his sickle cell disease, managing her time, money, and emotions seems impossible. Desperate, Sariyah decides to hustle her need-sensing ability for cash-a choice that may not only lead her to Deja, but put her in the same danger Deja found herself in.

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