What Mrs. N's Been Reading - Playing in Traffic

Just finished Gail Giles' Playing in Traffic. I like Giles' books (see my review of What Happened to Cass McBride? What Mrs. N's Been Reading - What Happened to Cass McBride? ) but I gotta wonder if she's ever met a somewhat normal, functional family. This one also has two kids from very different, but each messed up in their own sort of way, families. Matt is a high school senior who has spent most of his life trying to stay under the radar and be as invisible as possible. Suddenly, the school's goth, multitatooed, multipierced, wild girl is pursuing him, but insisting on keeping the realtionship a secret. As she seems to be opening up to Matt, you keep wondering if things are what they seem. This one is not for middle schoolers. There's some mature content, but it's handled well and isn't unnecessarily graphic. It moves quickly, with plenty of twists to keep you interested. If you ever know anyone who seems to be getting involved with someone that just sends up big, big red flags, give them this book. It gives you a look inside one really messed up kid, and serves as a warning to other kids who may, with the best of intentions, try to help them.