Crusader (by Edward Bloor)

No one will ever accuse Edward Bloor of a lack of originality. His rich and complex novels, though in need of tighter editing, have characters, settings, and situation far from the usual YA literature. Roberta's story ping-pongs all over the place, between uncaring adults and burned-out teens whose lives are unprobed mysteries to their self-involved parents. Among the multitude of characters, only a very few are decent, caring people, though even they hide their hearts under masks of cynicism.

Though the story meanders, it holds the reader's interest throughout, though at times it's the fascination of an accident, making one want to turn away as much as look. It's a not very appealing look at aspects of our culture most of us would rather not see, dark, gritty, and very real. Teens will love it.