Review: Tagged

Tagged by Mara Purnhagen
Date Released: March 01, 2010
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Pages:  Paperback, 208 pages
Young Adult
Overall:

Kate Morgan is just as confused as the rest of her classmates when she arrives at Cleary High to find six life-size gorillas spray painted on the side of a building. Could the culprit be one of her friends or classmates? And is the kind-of-amazing creation really vandalism, or a work of art? She's tempted to stay out of it, mostly because, as the police chief’s daughter, she's always accused of being a snitch. But when gorillas start appearing throughout the state, her investigative instincts kick in.

Now Eli, Kate’s favorite co-worker at the local coffee shop, is MIA. With her best friend, Lan, preoccupied with her own boy troubles, Kate needs to figure out some things on her own. Like why she can’t stop thinking about Eli. And what she will do when all clues about the graffiti point to someone she knows... 
Synopsis via Goodreads

My Thoughts:
What is the difference between Graffiti and Art?  Mara Purnhagen takes us to Cleary, South Carolina to a town which didn't see much action until they had to answer that one question.  Were the Gorillas that were found on several local businesses, including the local high school, graffiti or art?  Who was the mastermind behind the Gorillas?  Was it more then one person?  What was the purpose behind the Gorillas?

Our main character, a very likable, Kate Morgan is who we followed throughout this adventure of finding the vandal(s)... or is it artist(s)  Most every character we were introduced to, with the exception of those created meant to irk us, had a personality which set them apart and was very likable.  There was somewhere there who almost anyone could relate to.

Not only a mystery, Tagged has a little bit of romance giving this book a second side and another aspect in which offered a solid foundation for an adorable and fun read. Don't let that lead to you believe that it's all a fun loving romance, Kate isn't exactly the most above average of girls who seem to have easy access to whoever and whatever she wants.

On top of the great Gorilla mystery, Kate, and the rest of the town, has to deal with the side effects the school's mean girl, Tiffany, who is having her sweet sixteen filmed for MTV.  Did I forget to mention Kate's mom has to provide the cake for the near-royal event and Kate shows up to the party not only in a pair of sweats but ends up framed?

Well written and unique, Mara Purnhagen definitely stands out with this refreshing read.

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