Tagged

Gr 7 Up—Budding graffiti artist Liam lives in the Minneapolis projects, where he struggles to resist the influence of the Irish mafia. After older brother Kieran coerces Liam to tag over a rival gang's symbol, and Liam's grades start slipping, their mother sends Liam to Lakeshore, MI, to live with her friend Kat for the summer. Liam is initially unimpressed with small-town life, but Kat gives him access to her studio and art history books. Liam finds inspiration in famous black artist and former graffitist Jean-Michel Basquiat, and combines elements from Picasso's and Basquiat's work to create his own style of street art that is accepted by the community. Mullen's main theme is the acceptance of graffiti as art, but she also explores concepts of existing versus living and artistic legacy as Liam finds his identity as an artist. Basquiat's real-life struggles give Liam much to consider. Present tense and clipped sentences provide immediacy and make this good for reluctant readers.