"A strikingly original twisty psychic thriller unveiling important issues of social injustice and racism."
February 2025 Debut of the Month
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.
Sariyah is determined not to let her missing friend become just another statistic, one of many vanished Black girls. But despite her talent for ESP, Sariyah is struggling, even when the clues point surprisingly close to home.
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Sariyah is determined not to let her missing friend become just another statistic, one of many vanished Black girls. But despite her talent for ESP, Sariyah is struggling, even when the clues point surprisingly close to home.When Sariyah's birthday celebrations at a music festival turn sour with the disappearance of one of her friends, she knows she can't rely on the police to find her.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Needy Little Things and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
Needy Little Things features in the following genres: Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Stories about Family and Friends, Thrillers, PSHE: Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Needy Little Things was written by Channelle Desamours and published by Bloomsbury Young Adult an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Needy Little Things has 305 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
