Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.
Excellent YA book about a Black teen who can hear what people need. Pencil, hanger, toothbrush, nail file, paper clip, etc. She carries a bag full of things to hand out to people to quiet the needs in her head. At a music festival, her friend Deja “needed” pepper spray, so Sariyah helped her out, not knowing that Deja would go missing that night.
Sariyah is beside herself with terror, wondering why Deja needed the spray, so she and her friends dig into Deja’s life to see what secrets she was keeping. Did those secrets lead to her kidnapping? Sariyah’s home life is also a bit tenuous. Her dad lives far away just to help pay the bills, her mom works nights, and her little brother has medical needs. Sariyah tries to keep both her friends and family together while also helping others with their needs.
I loved this book. Sariyah is an excellent character who just wants to help those around her. The book also delves into systemic invisibility. Why do missing white girls go viral and hit the national news when Black ones don’t? It’s a tough question that needs to be addressed, and this book does it so well.
Pleasant Nights 