“Needy Little Things” is a YA book by Channelle Desamours. This book wasn’t quite what I expected, but I’m not displeased. This book is about a high school senior (Sariyah) who has a “gift” of knowing what people need (for instance a napkin, a nail file, a toothbrush). Her best friends are Malcolm (who’s sister disappeared a number of years ago) and Deja. At an outdoor music event, Deja disappears and Sariyah and Malcolm are determinded to find their friend. That’s one storyline - the other is things happening in society (why is Deja’s disappearance not being picked up by major news outlets?) and in the families (Sariyah’s brother has sickle cell disease, Sariyah’s mother is battling depression). This book touches on a number of social topics. I found Sariyah’s relationship with her brother to be a very well written one - sibling relationships are so complex - capturing both the love and the moments your sibling drives you nuts. I wasn’t as thrilled by some of the choices Sariyah and her friends make - but being a teen, sometimes bad decisions are made, though you don’t realize it at the time.

I didn't know what to expect when i started to read this, but I'm glad it turned out quite good!

Despite the consistent fantasy element throughout the store (i.e., Sariyah's need detector), it is very much rooted in reality through its themes of mental health and social justice, specifically the invisibility of missing Black girls and how the urgency to find them isn't as visible on social media. It tackles these topics hard and with such sincerity and heart, but the book is also very short. I feel like there were a lot of things that were being jumbled. Between Sariah's struggles, her mom's depression, her bro's sickle cell disease, her best friend and his missing twin sister, and so much more, there was a lot to go through in so many pages. Desamours balanced as well as she could of; I just personally wish these issues were paced more evenly, that's all.

Sariyah, this poor girl. I just wanted to give this girl a hug so badly. She directs every bad thing happening as her fault, which fuels her to seek out needs to fulfill only for her to inevitably become devastated once more if another thing happens to go wrong. She constantly directs all these feelings, especially the anger she has towards others, at herself, because she doesn't believe she's allowed to be upset at people when she believes they're suffering more than her. It makes her seem self-centered, but all she does throughout the book is do everything in her power to help, even if she's juggling between helps all at once. As you probably guessed by now, I really loved this girl. Sariyah has become one of my favorite protagonists.

Additionally, the relationships and other characters are done so well. The ones she shared with her mom and brother, particularly, felt so real and relatable, and her little romance with Jude was cute (Side note: Is Sariyah bi/pan? She mentions having a crush on a friend's sister early in the book, but the words are never used on page, nor does she go into further detail on her sexuality later on. I hesitate to label this lgbtq+, so I'll wait until I get official confirmation from the author via post or something). Her best friend Malcolm could have been a protagonist in his own right, with the complexities he displays in the story.

(There's a HUGE cliffhanger at the very end of the story involving his missing sister, and I'm predicting that it will be the subject of Desamours next book, if she writes it. I think that's where Malcolm would become the protagonist, with Sariyah being the major supporting cast, but nothing is confirmed at the time I'm writing this. If I'm right, I'll be SO happy.)

All in all, this is such a great book, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves when it officially releases next February!

Channelle Desamours' debut novel NEEDY LITTLE THINGS is a wow!

Main character Sariyah is juggling so much: a mother struggling with severe depressions; a little brother who needs her care; her missing friend Deja; and the fact that she can hear the needs of people. These "needs" are usually small, like a nail file or pencil or comb, but they are loud enough that Sariyah wears headphones in public to help quiet the voices. One detail that feels especially relevant in this novel is that Sariyah pays for these things herself. It's one of those things that might not be addressed in other books, but in NEED LITTLE THINGS the cost of meeting these "needs" has a big impact on Sariyah, especially when the ice cream store where she works closes for the summer. The attention she receives from some people regarding these needs also provides some great surprises that really work--and that's all I will say to avoid spoilers.

Author Desamours brilliantly weaves in the devastation of another missing Black girl with the sister of her best friend Malcolm. This wound, created years before the book starts, also complicates Deja's disappearance and the lengths everyone in their circle will go to ensure Deja's case gets covered by the media.

I couldn't read NEEDY LITTLE THINGS fast enough; I was desperate to know what was going to happen. However, I also did not want the book, and my time with these characters, to end.

What a debut! I can't wait to read more fiction by Channelle Desamours.

This was an interesting take on a missing girl. the main character, has the ability to sense other peoples needs, mostly those she is not the closest to. It is a lot about her relationships to other friends and her gift or sometimes a "curse" Well written and believable characters, and a look at what we really need and how that affects other people and a look at the inherent racism in who gets attention when they have disappeared. Better than a average look at this issue

I think my students will like this book, the characters feel real and relatable and while it is a mystery, a search for a missing friend, it explores a lot of family and friend relationships and issues about racism.

A 3.5 star read.

I enjoyed this book. I like that it dives into the disparities in the United States with regards to the efforts put into a person of color vs. a white person that goes missing in America. The character were very relatable and somewhat likeable. Malcolm did get on my nerves specially towards the end. I guess I understand where he was coming but I do not think his plan was well thought out or well executed. But over all I liked the book and think it was a good read.

As a fan of true crime, one thing that I have become hyper aware of over the years is the discrepancy of press coverage and "viral probability" between missing Black and white girls. This is one of the key themes in Needy Little Things, and I thought that it was addressed well.

The other main plot element in this story is the psychic-like ability of main character, Sariyah, to hear a person's needs before they even know they need them. This can be as simple as "pencil" before a test or as ominous as "pepper spray" before a girl goes missing. This concept was really original and novel, but I do think that her ability could have been better developed since it was all a bit surface-level when it came to needs and need fulfillment. Still, a really intriguing concept that played well into the missing girl plotline.

I thought the characters were relatively well developed, and I appreciated seeing the differences in their relationships with one another. The story started out a little slow, but it picks up in the second half, and it definitely kept my interest the entire time. I did figure out one of the main twists early on, so the ending fell a little flat for me, but I'm sure that it will catch others off guard and be better received.

Needy Little Things is a gripping, suspense-filled ride from start to finish. I absolutely loved this book! Heather Crews masterfully weaves an unpredictable plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what could possibly happen next. The suspense builds with every chapter, and just when you think you have it all figured out, a shocking twist throws everything into chaos. I was completely flabbergasted by the ending—it was both unexpected and brilliantly executed. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that keep you guessing, Needy Little Things is a must-read!

This was a terrific and wonderfully well written book! I was able to fully immerse myself into it quickly becuse not only was it a quick paced story but the characters were dynamic, lively, and entertaining as all get out. They seemed to come alive the more I read them into existence in my mind. Those with vivid imaginations will be captivated because this is the kind of book you can imagine in great and immense detail.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books & NetGalley for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest and independent review.


FIVE STAR DEBUT NOVEL BY CHANNELLE DESMOURS! Sariyah Lee Bryant has an inherited hidden ability to hear in her mind what items people need, kept a secret by her family & closest friends. Although she may know WHAT people need, she often does not find out WHY. The story follows Sariyah as she tries desperately to find her missing friend(s) and she learns who she can trust in the different parts of her life, including the police, her friends, a new love interest, and even her own mother as she struggles with severe depressive episodes. The book ends will an unbelievable twist that leaves you fully satisfied!

Channelle Desamours discusses sensitive, relevant topics beautifully without feeling performative or forced at all! From accurate representations of illnesses such as depression and sickle cell disease to the treatment of missing black girls in media and police during their investigations, to LGBTQIA+ teens whose dialogue feels AUTHENTIC to what it's like to be young, queer & dating- Desamours hits the mark across the board! Even as I sit here writing this review, I am filled with so much joy to have such great representation in a novel as it's so RARE to find characters that I can personally relate to my own life experiences or especially, SOUND like me when they talk!

All of that aside, this was such a great THRILLER! You are kept in suspense the entire book and by the end, you could NEVER expect what happened, but it doesn't feel "out of nowhere". It is still an incredible story about a missing teenager & it becomes fatal. DON'T BE SCARED OFF BECAUSE IT'S A YOUNG ADULT BOOK!! Teenagers & adults alike can enjoy Needly Little Things! You become genuinely invested in Sariyah's journey from the start- Channelle Desamours did such a wonderful job of making you FEEL everything Sariyah was feeling and getting you hooked early. HIGHLY recommend it to EVERYONE!

I really, really enjoyed reading this book! It was nothing like I expected. I will admit that I was a little confused in the beginning with the random words and not really understanding what was happening. Once it was explained about her ability it all made it sense. I enjoyed the character building between the friends, the only thing that I wished was different was if we got a little more background on Jude. He seemed interesting and I wanted to know him a little more. The plot twist was INSANE! I thought I had it all figured out but the ending had my mouth open. I never would’ve thought! Seems like there will be a book 2? I hope so. Also..what was Sariyah’s mom’s deal? I’m assuming it was depression but it never specially talked about it so I’m not 100% sure how that fit in with the story.

Needy Little Things is a book that will have you wondering how many things do we randomly thibk we need during a day. The main character is vefy likable and overcomes her challenges with a grwce and determination that not many her age woold have. Highly recommend

This was an AMAZING mystery/thriller with hints of fantasy woven throughout. It focused on an important social issue, how little press coverage people of color receive when they go missing in comparison to white people. It also showcased mental health and its impact on the family as a whole. It also discussed all of this with the fresh spin of the main character having magical intuition about what others need. All around, this book was excellent and I will be recommending it to library customers.

My thoughts 💭
This book immediately gave Monday’s Not Coming + A Good Girls Guide To Murder Vibes. I mean Malcom even called Sariyah The Black Nancy Drew 😂

This debut novel snatched my attention on the first chapter. The premise had me so intrigued. It was set in Atlanta and gave all the Black Girl Magic Vibes. I loved every reference that was incorporated. I throughly enjoyed how they dragged the crap out of Facebook every chance they got. 😂😂😂 I found myself laughing a lot while reading. I loved how they openly talked about trade school. Because traditional college isn’t for everyone. Had this not been an ARC I would have definitely read this with baby girl. I will be purchasing it for her to read at a later time for sure!

This YA mystery was the perfect pallet cleanser for me because either was ROMANCED OUT! If you enjoy YA mystery novels with some black girl magic, then this one is definitely for you.


Some stuff that had me cackling:

Well loved grill master 3000’s 😂

“You are the Black Nancy Drew, okay?” 😂


Fave Quotes:
“Life happens for you, not to you”

“Devine finds work for idle hands”

“You love apologizing for things that don’t got nothing to do with you, don’t you?”

"Needy Little Things" by Channelle Desamours is a captivating and thought-provoking book that I couldn't put down. The main female character is Sariyah (Ri), a Black teen who has a special gift of sensing the needs of others.

Several years back, Ri’s best friend went missing after an encounter with a man at their school bus stop. Did Ri sense his need and not know how to process it? Could that have helped to find her friend? She has never been found, but a white girl who also went missing at the same time in the same area received national media attention, and although it was not a happy ending, she was found quickly. The world seemed to have forgotten Ri’s best friend, as they do most girls of color. And now another of her closest friends has gone missing, and she’s going to do everything she can, including the use of her gift, to try to find her.

The author's poignant storytelling and vivid descriptions drew me into the lives of the characters, making me feel every emotion as if I were right there with them. This book delves deep into the complexities of human relationships, addressing themes of love, loss, social injustice, mental health, and resilience in a refreshingly honest and relatable manner that should be discussed more. Desamours skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

The character development in "Needy Little Things" is truly remarkable. Each character is flawed and real, making them incredibly compelling and easy to invest in. The raw honesty and authenticity in Desamours' writing make this a truly unforgettable read.

The pacing is perfect, with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. And the ending - oh my! What an ending! I’m definitely looking forward to book two!

Overall, "Needy Little Things" is a brilliant and emotionally resonant book that has left a lasting impression on me. Channelle Desamours is a masterful storyteller, and I can't wait to read more from her in the future. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a powerful and moving YA mystery thriller read.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #ChannelleDesamours, #StMartinsPress, and #WednesdayBooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #NeedyLittleThings.

I enjoyed this book more than I even anticipated! The pacing of the story worked well for me, and it included a lot of elements that I enjoy. Such as mystery, suspense, supernatural elements etc. The author wove together a really good story.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for giving me this ARC!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for giving me this ARC! The overall theme of this book is focused on how loved ones try to move on and heal after a young black teen goes missing and the whole world does not care. I loved the messages intertwined throughout the book, especially regarding Sariyah's ability to fulfill peoples' needs. Black women are taught at a young age to put others' needs before theirs and we get to experience Sariyah's battle with balancing her needs and the needs of others. Also, when she said she'd LOVE it if someone would ask her what she needed for once....SOBBING.

A very different sort of story! Sariyah is a black teen who can sense what a person needs but not always knowing what for. Two of her friends have gone missing and she is desperate to use her gift to help find her friend, the second missing girl. But of course the disappearance of two black girls does not merit a lot of attention. This story is suspenseful and entertaining.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love a good mystery and this was one that I definitely enjoyed. I almost felt like I was there, living and go through all of the things the characters do. That’s when I realize that this is a great read!!

I love the concept of this book—that the main character can sense the needs of others nearby & feels compelled to act on those needs. I also think it’s important to call attention to the fact that crimes against people of color are disproportionately underrepresented in mainstream media. I wish the two ideas had been integrated more cleanly& that the ending had been handled with more care. It felt abrupt. I do, however, believe that students will enjoy this entry in the mystery category.