Q&A with Nicole Kroon on “Gripped Part 3: The Fallout”

An Interview with Nicole Kroon—North Andover, Massachusetts

1. This book touches upon the use of Adderall, acid, marijuana, alcohol, and Xanax. For that reason, parents may not want their children to read the novel. However, the author feels there is much to be learned. What do you think tweens and teens could learn from reading Gripped Part 3 that would be beneficial for them?

Tweens and teens can learn about the consequences and dangers of using harmful and addictive substances. They’re exposed to how it can hurt not only themselves but also their relationships with their friends and family who care about them. This provides kids and young adults with an incentive to not use drugs because they don’t want to end up like the characters in Gripped 3. This book is a great way for tweens and teens to learn these consequences without having to go through them themselves, and could potentially save their lives from a drug overdose. 

2. Why could adults benefit from reading Gripped Part 3?

I think the main way that adults could benefit from reading Gripped Part 3 is by being exposed to the lives and mindsets of kids and young adults who use drugs and drink a lot. I think that this would help adults to better understand why kids make choices that lead them to substance abuse because I don’t think that many adults fully understand how it happens. Once they’re better able to understand why it happens, they’ll be better able to prevent it from happening and more kids could be saved from addiction. 

3. What storylines were most intriguing in Gripped Part 3? What kept you wanting to turn the page? 

I thought that the most intriguing storyline in Gripped Part 3 was with Courtney, Chris, and Bryan. I liked watching Courtney develop throughout the novel and seeing the other characters’ reactions to her choices (and watching as they figured out her motivations for hanging out with them). I also thought that it was interesting to see the dynamic between Chris and Bryan. It was a super awkward situation and I’m not sure they handled it correctly, but it was captivating seeing it play out and I couldn’t help but wonder what I would have done differently in their situation. Their storyline definitely kept me turning the pages fast to find out what would happen next. 

4. As drug use abounds in the series, some characters are trying their best to sober up, while others are getting deeper and deeper into substance abuse. How do you think readers can benefit from reading about Chris’s journey from the beginning of the series until now?

I think that readers can benefit from reading about Chris’s journey from the beginning of the series until now because they learn that even if you’ve hit rock bottom, there’s still a chance to turn your life around if you care enough and try hard enough. You have the ability to make a difference in your life by working hard and making decisions that benefit you even if they’re tough. Chris’s journey also shows people that they need to cut out the bad influences in their lives, even if it hurts them because in the long run, it’ll be better for both of you. 

5. At this point in the series, what character intrigues you the most and why?

I think that at this point in the series, Chris intrigues me the most because I’m extremely curious to find out if he’s able to get sober after cutting out both Lisa and Jason from his life. He’s made a lot of hard choices and I want to know if they’ll pay off for him in the long run in maintaining his sobriety. I wonder if he’ll ever be best friends with Jason again and if he and Lisa get back together or if Lisa sticks with Jeff. That’s why Chris intrigues me the most. 

6. What does this book teach readers about why people begin using drugs?

This book teaches readers that people often start using drugs because of other issues in their lives that they don’t feel ready to face. Instead of addressing their problems head-on, they avoid them by getting high to make themselves feel better. They wash away their sadness, anxiety, or anger in drugs, and before they know it drugs are the only things that’ll make them feel good anymore. So to keep from feeling awful all the time, and perhaps from facing other issues in their lives, they continue to use drugs, only burying themselves further in the hole they’re in. 

7. Chris loves Jordan, but Marc hates Jordan. He has slowly been introduced to the reader in the first three books and will play a more significant role later in the series. At this point in the series what are your honest thoughts on Jordan?

I think that Jordan is a bit misunderstood by both family and friends and has unfairly earned a bad reputation that doesn’t accurately describe him. Lots of people throughout the novels talk about how wild and irresponsible Jordan is, and make it seem like he’s doing all sorts of crazy drugs. But in reality, Jordan seems like a focused, driven guy who’s determined to succeed even if he knows no one in his family will ever recognize his efforts or achievements. His family doesn’t seem to appreciate all that he’s done in football and college, and he knows that he’ll never compare to Taylor in their eyes, so he’s resigned himself to that knowledge. But I still think he might have made some mistakes earlier on in his life (like using drugs even if he only did them a little bit) which overall makes him an under-appreciated but still flawed character. 

About Nicole Kroon

Nicole is a junior at North Andover High School and will graduate in 2025.  Her favorite subjects in school are math and biology.  She loves reading and traveling with her family and enjoys going on challenging hikes.  Most recently she visited Iceland, where she hiked on several amazing trails.  Nicole is a varsity runner on the Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track teams at her school, and she also volunteers in the Youth Track and Field program.