Written by Joanna Dakoyannis, Dover, MA
While the subjects covered in Gripped Part 3: The Fallout by Stacy A. Padula are extremely sensitive and include drug use, alcohol, and sex, it is important for teens to read this book to educate themselves. The book provides teens with an interesting narrative while showing them the dangers of experimenting with drugs and alcohol. The story exemplifies how even just trying something once or twice can have disastrous consequences and change your life forever. Although the book demonstrates the dark side of drug use, it also shows that through the help of family/friends and faith in God, it is possible to turn your life around.
The story follows the lives of several teens. Each character has their own issues and deals with them differently. Many of the characters begin using drugs to deal with anxiety around relationships with family or friends. Others use Adderall to do better in school. Some of the characters then use drugs to counteract the effects of other drugs, digging themselves deeper and deeper into their addiction. What the book ultimately teaches the reader is that using drugs does not solve your problems, but will, in fact, only mask the issues and make them worse. Addressing problems is the only way to solve them.
Adults can also benefit from reading Gripped Part 3: The Fallout by learning what types of behaviors are common among teens today. With many different drugs available today, this book can be a valuable lesson for adults, specifically parents of teens. By learning about teen behaviors and signs of drug use as described in the book, parents can be that much more aware of what is happening in their own teens’ lives.
Eighteen-year-old Marc Dunkin has received word from a detective that his oldest brother Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential case headed by the Boston Police Department. They know Taylor’s clean; they know he wants out of the game; and they want to help make that happen. However, their “help” will come at a cost—one that may put Taylor and his entire family in grave danger.
Twenty-three-year-old Taylor Dunkin is trying to get his life back in order after an opiate addiction wreaked havoc on his once promising athletic future. Getting clean was a difficult feat, but breaking free from the Bilotti crime ring will present an even greater challenge.
Other Articles by Joanna
Gripped Book Series Sheds Light on Montgomery Lake High’s Main Characters
New Young Adult Book Takes a Startling Look at Mounting Social Pressures Amongst Teens
New Fiction Book Series Takes a Compelling Look at Teenage Substance Abuse in Massachusetts
An Exceptional Book I Recommend to Teens & Preteens
Q&A with Joanna Dakoyannis on “The Right Person” by Stacy Padula
May’s Q&A with Joanna Dakoyannis of Dover Sherborn High School
Joanna Dakoyannis Reviews “When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy Padula
July’s Q&A with Joanna Dakoyannis on The Aftermath by Stacy Padula
“The Aftermath” is an Encouraging Book for Teens
Joanna Dakoyannis on The Battle for Innocence
The Battle for Innocence is An Eye-opening Book for Teens
The Forces Within by Stacy Padula: an Excellent Teen Read
Joanna Dakoyannis’s Interview on The Forces Within
New Teen Fiction Book Teaches the Importance of Healthy Relationships
Books by Stacy A. Padula 
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