Y.A. Novel Recommended for Pre-teens, Teens, & Parents

Posted byAuthor Stacy A. PadulaPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , ,
Gianna Arcabascio is a senior at Archbishop Williams High school. She plays lacrosse and is team manger for the football and boys hockey. In school, she’s apart of student council, admissions ambassadors, and is involved in a lot of leadership opportunities. She looks to pursue a future career as an Athletic Trainer.

Written by Gianna Arcabascio of Archbishop Williams High School and Pembroke, Massachusetts

Gripped 3: The Fallout by Stacy A. Padula provides excellent examples of the causes and consequences substance abuse in ways that are relatable to a teenage audience. From the very beginning of the series, one of the main characters, Chris Dunkin, has made immature choices as most teens will at some point. Throughout the book series, Chris has made multiple mistakes that affect everyone in his life, but what I did not realize until now is that he was actually learning from his blunders. Following Chris’s journey could help teens realize that things can get better if they do what is best for them, even if that means cutting ties with friends, boyfriends, or girlfriends who are bad influences. Gripped 3 also gives reader more insight into protagonist Taylor Dunkin. We learn more about his history, character, and relationships. It becomes apparent that Taylor has his work cut out for him but a strong will to succeed. Gripped 3 also helps readers understand a teenager’s perspective. Sometimes I think parents forget that kids’ minds think differently from theirs. Reading Gripped 3 will grant parents a better understanding of not only the situations their children may be facing, but also the thoughts that weigh on their minds. Additionally, the novel will bring awareness to parents on signs of drug abuse to look out for once their teens are enter middle school and high school. Whether you read this book as a pre-teen, teen, or parent, you will gain valuable insight into an ongoing epidemic plaguing young adults today: prescription drug abuse.

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.

Read more articles by Gianna Arcabascio

Published by Author Stacy A. Padula

Stacy Padula has spent the last 14 years working daily with teenagers as a college counselor, mentor, and life coach. She was named "Top Inspirational Author of the Year" for 2022 by the International Association of Top Professionals (New York, NY). In 2021, she was broadcast on the famous Reuters Building in Times Square as "Empowered Woman of the Year." Her Gripped book series is currently being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman. She is the founder and CEO of Briley & Baxter Publications: a publishing company that donates a portion of its proceeds to animal rescues each month. She has edited and published a variety of titles, including Boston Bruins Anthem Singer Todd Angilly and Rachel Goguen's The Adventures of Owen & the Anthem Singer, LaTonya Pinkard of Netflix's Last Chance U's Nate & His Magic Lion, and former NHL player Norm Beaudin's memoir The Original: Living Life Through Hockey. Stacy resides in Plymouth, Massachusetts with her husband Tim and two miniature dachshunds, Briley and Baxter.