The Smoke Signal — Stafford High School — Volume 63, Issue 3, Page 2
This novel by Gail Giles starts out with a bang. Skye, a girl who doesn’t seem to know what she wants out of life, meets Matt, a boy who seems to want nothing but trouble. A love story between two troubled teens is woven into a story of abuse, friendship and self-discovery.
Skye lives in a trailer with her drunkard father while her mother recovers from her father’s abuse in a separate home. She just wants to live a happy, normal life — something that seems hard to come by for this girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
Matt, a troubled boy who has moved around his whole life, is, at first glance, nothing but bad news. He is the type of boy that would make any parent cringe. However, as his character develops throughout the story, it becomes clear that he is more than meets the eye.
Skye discovers that she has more strength inside of her than she ever imagined. She learns to stand up for herself and the people she cares about, even when it puts her in harm’s way.
This book is a refreshing change from the usual cheesy teen novels. The characters are realistic and the dialogue flows easily. Each character has just enough depth to keep you intrigued but still leaves something to the imagination.
While the ending is a bit abrupt, the reader feels satisfied and leaves with a sense of hope that even the roughest lives can work out for the best. This is the type of novel that is hard to put down once you start it. Overall, this is a wonderful read for both teens and adults alike.