You Need To Read This Book

By Colby M

I need concert tickets. I need jewelry. I need a new phone. Joelle Charbonneau, New York Times best selling author of The Testing trilogy, follows the lives of several members of the the newest social networking website for Nottawa High School students, known as NEED. This site guarantees to fulfill anyone's "need" in exchange for completing seemingly harmless tasks. While emphasizing the distinct differences between a want and a need, Charbonneau, tells the fiction story of the extent high school students will go to receive the things they think they need.

NEED dramatically alters the life of 16-year-old Kaylee Dunham, the main protagonist. She doesn't have a ton of friends, mostly because people tend to avoid the weird kid who begs for everyone to get tested as a potential kidney donor for her younger brother. She doesn't know what else to do, however, as the best match would have been her father, who ditched the family not longer after her brother got sick. She does have one friend, Nate. He is the one who invited her to join NEED. It all begins with an innocent click of a button…

After the death of a student, Kaylee concludes that NEED is responsible. The tasks required for the teens to get what they desire gradually intensify. Even more students turn up dead. Kaylee seeks help from the her mother and the police, but neither find her story believable. The only option is to put an end to it herself.

This tale, told from the perspective of various members of the site, provides a glimpse from several different point of views. I enjoyed experiencing what other students thought of the site, as Kaylee had a unique attitude towards it. However, although the diversity was brilliant, it was also difficult to keep track of all the characters at times. Regardless, they all contributed mightily to this novel. The connection and transitions from one person to the next were executed phenomenally. The pacing was perfect as well-- fast, but not too fast. NEED kept me wanting to learn more until the final page.

In a thriller filled with courage, betrayal, passion, suspense and more, Charbonneau's NEED is highly recommended for all teen readers. The way in which Charbonneau manifests the central idea, that needs and wants are indeed two completely separate things, truly made me think about choosing my words in person and online more carefully, and realize that I should be happy with what I have. Although the concept of NEED may seem far-fetched, you are certain to fall in love with this compelling story.

NEED, by Joelle Charbonneau, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, November 2015, 338 pages