Written by Kyle Banker, Coral Gables, FL
I recommend “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula to all incoming high school students, as this novel brings out the truth in how high school can change relationships very quickly. Furthermore, this novel heavily touches upon how drugs and alcohol can have a great effect on one’s life, even at a young age. Through the juxtaposition of relationships and substances, I believe that “The Right Person” will show the reality of what drugs can do to a student’s social life, and even more, towards their overall satisfaction with their life.
While reading, I really enjoyed the individual internal thoughts from many characters that were scattered throughout the novel. In my opinion, this allows the reader to completely analyze the situations occurring in the novel and to truly see within the thinking of each character. This was very effective in the ending of the book, as these paragraphs gave an interesting and thorough conclusion on the mental status of every character. Overall, I really enjoyed this new style of writing as I have rarely seen it in this format in any novel that I have read.
A major theme that I noticed throughout “The Right Person” was the conflicts and changes within relationships. In high school, it can be very difficult to find the ideal friend or group to be around during the four years. Because of this, relationships can be altered very quickly, causing your whole social life to be flipped upside-down. This is ultimately because as you grow older into a teenager, you start to gain independence and confidence by making your own decisions. In this novel, decisions arise such as breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend, “cutting off” old friends, and formulating new groups. Through these scenarios, “The Right Person” paints the realistic picture that nothing remains consistent throughout middle/high school, resulting in rapid changes of personality and relationship statuses.
Synopsis
Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.
The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?
About Kyle Banker
Kyle graduated this spring from Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill. His favorite subjects include Biology, English, and Entrepreneurship. Some of his hobbies are playing soccer and hockey, volunteering, and being with friends and family. Kyle is studying Biological Sciences at the University of Miami.
Additional Articles by Kyle:
Teen Book Series Educates Readers about Drug Abuse in a New Way
Why You Should Read the #1 New Release “Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told”
Kyle Banker on The “Gripped” Characters
A Teen’s Review of Gripped Part 1
Looking Ahead to Gripped Part 2 with Kyle Banker
What Should Readers Expect from Gripped Part 2 (To Be Released Later This Year)
May’s Q&A with Kyle Banker of Beaver Country Day School
Kyle Banker Reviews “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula – A Young Adult Novel
Books by Stacy A. Padula 
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