NEED

NEED is a young adult thriller set in a small Wisconsin town, where teenagers gain access to a mysterious social media platform that promises to give them anything they want. The only requirement is that users must complete tasks to receive their requested items. High school student Kaylee Dunham becomes entangled in the website's growing influence as more of her classmates join and begin completing increasingly questionable assignments. While investigating the true nature of NEED, Kaylee must also manage her personal struggles, including caring for her brother who requires an urgent kidney transplant. The novel explores themes of desire, moral compromise, and the psychological impact of social media on teenage behavior. Through its examination of how far people will go to get what they want, NEED raises questions about the boundaries between right and wrong in a digitally connected world.

Readers found this YA thriller engaging at first but ultimately predictable and unsatisfying. Several reviewers noted strong parallels to social media cautionary tales like "Nerve." Liked: - Fast initial pacing that hooks readers - Relevant themes about online privacy and peer pressure - Multiple viewpoint structure builds suspense - Clear writing style for teen readers Disliked: - Plot becomes implausible in final third - Too many characters to track effectively - Heavy-handed messaging about internet dangers - Underdeveloped protagonist motivations - Rushed ending that leaves questions unanswered As one Goodreads reviewer stated: "Started strong but devolved into unrealistic teen drama with an eye-rolling conclusion." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 3/5 Kirkus Reviews: Mixed review noting "intriguing premise but flawed execution"

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🌐 NEED was inspired by the real-life phenomenon of social media addiction and its impact on teen behavior. 📱 The author created a fictional social networking site for the book by studying how teens actually use social media platforms and what motivates them to share personal information online. 🎓 Joelle Charbonneau worked as a voice instructor and professional singer before becoming a full-time author, bringing a unique perspective to her writing about performing arts and teen dynamics. 💡 The book addresses topics that became even more relevant after its 2015 publication, such as data privacy, online manipulation, and the psychological effects of social media validation. 🏆 NEED was selected for several state reading lists and was named one of YALSA's Teens Top Ten Nominees, highlighting its impact on young adult literature addressing digital culture.