Needy Little Things

by Channelle Desamours Narrated by Alaska Jackson

Overview

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A mesmerizing speculative thriller." – Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Desamours’ debut spotlights an emotionally complex hero... An engaging, innovative critique of the systems that protect whiteness and rob Black girls of their innocence." – Kirkus

"Desamours debuts with a tense, speculative mystery...twisty...with plenty of surprises, suspects, and red herrings." – Booklist

"This genre-crossing mystery/thriller with interlaced fantastical elements results in a page-turner... Unexpected twists are sprinkled throughout, with a bombshell cliffhanger... ­Riveting and complex." - School Library Journal

"An unexpected twist on an important story, Needy Little Things weaves a skillfully crafted tale that grips readers from start to finish. A gem of a novel!” – Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give

“Engrossing and original, with a twist to leave you gobsmacked. Channelle Desamours is an exciting new voice on the thriller scene.” – Jessica Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of The Legacies and The Counselors

“A propulsive mystery with well-rounded characters, immersive prose, and more than a few tricks up its sleeve. I couldn’t put it down.” – Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston

“An unputdownable mystery centering a missing Black girl and the relentless search of friends who won’t give up on her. Speculative elements expertly weave in intrigue and scathing commentary on who society wants to be found. Needy Little Things is a triumphant debut.” – Jessica Lewis, author of Bad Witch Burning

"Dripping with voice and riddled with twists, Needy Little Things held me captive from the first page to the last. Desamours' debut is a tour-de-force in character, mystery, and heart." - Courtney Gould, award-winning author of The Dead and the Dark

Kirkus Reviews

2024-10-26
A teen springs into action after her friend vanishes at a music festival in Atlanta.

Like her grandmother, Sariyah Bryant, a Black high school senior, inherited the ability to sense people’s needs. Unfortunately, her powers exact a toll—if Sariyah doesn’t fulfill these wishes or physically distance herself from the person, she experiences acute migraines. That’s why she never goes anywhere without her Santa Bag: a duffel brimming with everyday items to give out. When a grateful woman she once helped gifts her four tickets to Afro Alt Music Festival, Sariyah’s ecstatic. Alongside best friend Malcolm, new friend Deja, and love interest Jude, she immerses herself in the festival’s atmosphere of positivity and creativity—until it all comes crashing down. Deja disappears from the grounds, igniting a frantic search that unearths multiple suspects and tests Sariyah’s hope. As Sariyah and her community work to bring Deja back home, she realizes her friends are keeping shocking secrets. Desamours’ debut spotlights an emotionally complex hero who’s painfully aware of the social inequities and injustices that affect Black girlhood. Sariyah’s mother has depression, and the depiction of mental health struggles is handled with realism and cultural sensitivity. The author portrays Sariyah’s relationship with her brother, who has sickle cell disease, with tenderness. Readers will be thoroughly surprised by the unexpected conclusion.

An engaging, innovative critique of the systems that protect whiteness and rob Black girls of their innocence.(Mystery. 14-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192401613
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged

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