"Mad, Sad, or just Totally Confused" is one of those books you won't read in a day or even a week. You won't want to breeze through Ms. Waggoner's honest, unapologetic advice and set the book aside; rather, this is one for the backpack, the top desk drawer, even under the mattress. You'll need these candid stories, thoughts and prayers at your disposal--when you find yourself down and discouraged, "Prayers" delivers legitimate dialogue on tough issues. Don't expect Ms. Waggoner to shy away or bandy out an easy answer. Her voice is strong and self-assured while at the same time stressing that it's okay to be real and vulnerable. Her book meets teens where they are, not where their elders think they are or should be. "Prayers" should be added to any teen's library of essentials--somewhere between the study Bible and the issues of "Seventeen." It's that pertinent and that useful.