Zoe’s Book Nook

Zoe is a senior at Duxbury High School, where she is a member of the Varsity Rowing Team. In school, she is president of the Humanitarian Project and is involved in multiple other clubs. Her favorite subjects are Math and English. She plans to major in business in college. Zoe also enjoys traveling, she has been to 5/7 continents and over 20 countries. Zoe works at the Duxbury Bay Maritime school, teaching children the joys the ocean offers and has an annual job at a local restaurant.

Book Reviews

Having finished reading Gripped Part One, I heartily endorse Stacy A. Padula’s work to readers of all ages, mainly highschoolers. The story of how the opioid epidemic spreads across a tiny Massachusetts community is told at the beginning of the book. Taylor Dunkin, a hometown hero, was a football player headed for the NFL until suffering a terrible injury that led to a painkiller addiction. This sent him on a perilous and dark path toward drug addiction and trafficking, which had consequences for both him and the friends he was giving drugs to back home.

The novel goes back in time to show how Taylor’s addiction grew worse and when the other younger characters first started experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Throughout middle school and high school, the individuals’ individual struggles and complex connections lead them in diverse directions. The book introduces readers in their twenties to characters dealing with realistic problems such as friendship drama and mental health concerns, while also acting as a warning story for young adults who must make decisions regarding drugs and alcohol. The interwoven stories of each character in this book would captivate readers of all ages, from teenagers to parents.

Secondly in Stacy Padula’s Gripped series “Blindsided.” The characters in the flashback plotline continue to evolve into the individuals we see in the current plot. It enables us to comprehend how they arrived at their current location. The beginning of Jason and Cathy’s relationship, the breakup of Chris and Lisa, Taylor’s injuries, Luke’s drug peddling, and the onset of hard drug use among Cathy’s friends are the main topics of this book, where I was itching to turn to the next page. 

This novel maintains the reader’s interest by skillfully balancing powerful, serious themes with lighthearted, humorous moments. Although there are mature themes in the book, Padula handles them so skillfully that it is inevitable that readers would find the teachings it contains insightful even though the series is ultimately intended for a younger audience. Any adolescent reading this book will undoubtedly recognize themselves in at least one of the series’ characters, regardless of what they are going through and want to follow along with every character’s unique story.

Gripped Part 3 by Stacy Padula dives deeper into the complexities of teenage life and the struggles of addiction to drug and alcohol abuse. It helps show the consequences many characters face after drug abuse. For example, Jordan is working to put the pieces of his life back together after having drugs take control of his every move. While the storyline of Gripped was very thrilling it also included an educational perspective that would benefit all readers.

One of the standouts from Gripped Part 3 was how it does not sugarcoat anything. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of addiction and how it is present every day in the lives of high school students, where we see the importance of support systems, friends, and family when dealing with recovery. Padula incorporates this with an entertaining tone and makes me eager to learn about the continuing journey of the gripped characters.

Gripped 4, “Smoke + Mirrors” by award-winning author Stacy Padula is a truthful exploration of addiction, the consequences of one’s choices, and the complicated nature of relationships. Padula highlights the difficulty of overcoming personal demons and the importance of support systems while also acknowledging that recovery is not linear. She continues to deliver a compelling narrative that sheds light on the real challenges faced by high school students in the generation today. The book focuses on redemption, resilience, and the ongoing battle to break free from destructive behaviors.

This book would benefit young adults and parents, as well as high school students who would acknowledge the effects that drug/alcohol use may have on their lives—how it affects relationships, mental, physical and emotional health. Next would be parents, where it would help identify students’ behavior and whether they are being affected by alcohol or using drugs. It would help parents become more knowledgeable and aware of the drug epidemic that is happening all throughout high schools today. It would help them be able to monitor their children and help shield them from this epidemic going on—as well as be aware if their child is using and help them recover.

“Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story” explores the intricate lives of young adults dealing with addiction, peer pressure, and self-discovery. Centered on Taylor, it offers an honest and unvarnished portrayal of his challenges and victories. The narrative delves into Taylor’s past, helping readers relate to him and grasp the seriousness of his circumstances.

The book delivers a powerful message to teens of all ages about the long-term impact of substance abuse, not just during high school but throughout their adult lives. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an exciting continuation of the series, while also highlighting the serious risks of using drugs and alcohol at a young age. It’s a compelling read for teenagers, parents, and anyone looking for an engaging story!

Interviews with Zoe

July 2024: Gripped Part 1

1. Who would you recommend Gripped Part 1 to and why?

I would recommend Gripped to the teenage/millennial audience. They will be able to relate to at least one character in Gripped even if they are dealing with addiction, friends, family, or relationship problems. For instance, I was able to identify heavily with Chris relating to having absent parents that are never really around. I feel it is so important for teens to understand the influence drugs and peer pressure can have because it is so present in high school and even middle school. 

2. How do you as a young adult relate to the story?

I relate to the story by growing up in a suburban “white” town where lots of kids resort to drugs and addiction. Whether it is nicotine, marijuana or alcohol, I was surrounded by these every day at school, sports and with friends, so I was able to relate to feeling peer pressure and being embarrassed when saying no to something and the consequences drugs/gateway drugs can have. 

3. What did you like best about the story?

I liked the flashbacks that helped tell everyone’s story and helped me experience the characters personal growth and development over the course of the book. It also helped me clarify and comprehend what each character was feeling throughout the book and the challenges they faced and the impact these challenges had. Whether it was negative or positive it helped me understand who each character was. 

4. What message does this book send to readers?

I think the message is how drugs can negatively affect your life and cloud your view on what is right and what is wrong. Gripped (Part 1) demonstrates the horrendous cycle of drugs and its outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, etc. Where the characters at times are unaware of what’s right and face the consequences. 

5. There are a few different storylines running through Gripped Part 1 because it is setting up the rest of the series. What storyline do you find the most interesting and why?

I find Taylor and the police the most interesting storyline because although Taylor lost his spot at Notre Dame for football and got injured and fell subject to drugs and felt useless. I think it was amazing that he was still able to help out his community and do his civic duty by helping the police with large dangerous drug supplies in the city.

6. Gripped Part 1 sets up the rest of the series but leaves a lot of things “hanging.” What are you most curious to uncover by reading Gripped Part 2?

I am excited to see why the characters made the choices they did, while Gripped Part 1 gave a good background of each character, I am excited to learn more about the thought process and feelings of each character in Gripped Part 2.

7. About the characters…
   1. Who do you feel bad for and why? I feel bad for Marc, Taylor’s youngest brother because he has to live up to his older brother’s accomplishments and make his way out of their shadows. Additionally he has to watch his brother go through a drug crisis, becoming reliant and addicted to deadly drugs. Not to mention realize his brother is the one providing them to his school and kids he knows.  
   2. Who frustrates you and why? Taylor because although he faced lots of struggles he was selfish. He allowed his younger cousin to throw parties in middle school, exposing innocent children to alcohol and even drugs, cocaine. He was selfish with drug use in his family, ghosting everyone not to mention the people who wanted to help him.
   3. Who do you most relate to and why? I relate to Chris, because I grew up with “absent” parents. My mom was a nurse who worked over 70 hours a week, and was never around. And my dad owns two car businesses where he was the one who has to stay late and get there early so it is the same with him. At a young age I had to become the adult to step in. I got my brother off the bus, made him dinner, helped him with homework, cleaned up and reading Chris’s story allowed me someone to sympathize and understand, feeling some sense of acknowledgement. 
   4. Who do you like and why? Taylor, despite his many hardships, was a self-centered person. In middle school, he permitted his younger cousin to host parties, exposing defenseless kids to narcotics like cocaine and alcohol. He was a self-centered drug user who ghosted everyone, including those who tried to assist him. Repeating what I said earlier Chris was probably my favorite because his story gave me someone to relate to in my life and made me feel seen and acknowledged. In my town everyone’s mom was a “stay at home mom” while mine was quite the opposite. So although Chris and his families are a little different, part of his living situation gave me comfort. 

August 2024: Gripped Part 2

1. The drug use and sexual content in this book will surely get it banned from schools, but the topics are too relevant in teenage culture to be ignored. Why do you think this book should be read by kids in middle school and high school?

This should be read by kids in middle school and high school because the Gripped Book Series introduces themes and topics that are more than relevant to society today. Especially now schools are surrounded by substance abuse, nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol. Middle school and high school spikes development for “wanting to fit in” and make “cool” friends, so they will do anything to achieve that. That could even mean being peer pressured into using dangerous substances. The Gripped Book Series could steer them away from that as it introduces the dangers of drug abuse. 

2. What can kids learn from reading this book?

Kids, especially high schoolers can learn about the dangers of drug abuse. But also following the wrong crowd/fake friends can lead you to feel peer pressured and do things you don’t want to do. From the first two books in the Gripped Series I learned how important it is to say “no” and be confident in yourself that you do not need “drugs” or alcohol to feel “cool” or be popular. 

3. How has your opinion of Taylor changed from the beginning of the series until the end of book 2?

In the first book, Taylor really frustrated me in how he allowed his younger cousin to throw parties and be exposed to alcohol at such a young age. But then reading Gripped Part 2 I put my shoes in the story of his injury and how hard it is to lose one of the things he loved most. I felt empathy and my heart ached for him in a way, but I still don’t think he should’ve turned to drugs or started dealing them. 

4. How has your opinion of Chris changed since the beginning of the series?

I started to worry more about Chris throughout the series, where he dives deeper into drugs and substance abuse in “Blindsided”. Especially when he almost OD’s, as the reader I was extremely scared because after reading part one of the Gripped Series, I related to Chris the most and named him my favorite character, so reading about him in part two, I felt sadness after seeing him struggle and start to turn down the wrong path. 

5. After reading books 1 & 2, are you rooting for Cathy to end up with Jason or Marc?
   
   Jason, after noticing Cathy begins to experience panic attacks and large amounts of anxiety, worries for her. Especially when she resorts to smoking marijuana to “calm herself down”. He shows compassion and concern as he doesn’t want her to become reliant on marijuana. Which shows he can care for her and loves her. 
6. What are your honest thoughts on Chris and Lisa’s relationship?

I thought that it was very mature of Chris to end it with Lisa after he felt he was hurting her. Especially after being the main reason she tried Molly. I think it was smart of him to take a break when he knew he was dragging Lisa down with him. 

7. Who are your two favorite characters so far in the series and why?

My favorite character is Chris because I developed a soft spot for him from the beginning when I was able to relate to him with parents who were more absent than present. Where he was neglected and his parents never said they loved him, then seeing in part two his overdose I really felt for him and I felt worry and empathy towards Chris. I am not sure if I had another favorite, but this book shed light on Lisa’s story, especially through her relationship with Chris and I felt pity and a connection to her that I did not have before.

September 2024: Gripped Part 3

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?

Gripped 3 touches upon the harsh reality that a large amount of high school students face exposure to dangerous drugs such as Adderall, acid, marijuana, alcohol, and Xanax. It also reveals the consequences that being exposed to these drugs bring, temptation, failure in relationships (with family and friends), and health problems regarding addiction and withdrawal. It can be beneficial to read as a high schooler to know how to react effectively to drugstores to say no to peer pressure. 

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

Gripped 3 could benefit parents in gaining consciousness about these very real drugs that teenagers are exposed to at a relatively young age, and also how easy it might be for teens to get their hands on. Parents can learn to advocate against drugs at a young age and express the dangerous effects/consequences they have on the younger generation. As well as help/support them so the children don’t feel they need to resort to drugs. 

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

Cathy and Chantel’s storyline was the most intriguing storyline for me while reading Gripped 3. We learn about their past and the tension that exists between them, I was turning each page excitedly waiting to learn more about how their relationship could change. Where they are starting to acknowledge the issues between them and I have been hoping they will be able to mend not just their friendship but their sisterhood. 

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?

Readers can learn about perseverance and how anything is possible if you put your mind to it as we noticed in Chris’s story from Gripped Part One to now, where he has had absent parents, has no supervision, and has been exposed to alcohol and drugs from a very young age. Where it has degraded him day by day by being addicted to these (gateway) drugs, he became determined to become clean. Readers can realize that they can stop a dangerous addiction too, they just have to put their minds to it. 

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

I honestly have two, Cathy and Jason where we can see the drastic effect the drug has had on them, not just individually, but as a couple. Where they have had the most detrimental effects from drug use, and are the most reliant on it. I am intrigued to see whether or not they can come clean and better themselves as people and as a couple. 

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

I think this book teaches people that everyone may have a different reason for using, Chris had no parental vision, Cathy for her anxiety, Taylor for his injury or mainly just from peer pressure. Where we can see the hardships the chatcyters face which make them feel that drugs will make it better, and how easy it can be to get hooked on drugs. 

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 am honestly impressed by Jordan in this point in the series of Gripped, where in Gripped one he was overtaken by peer pressure and drugs, leading him down a path of bad behavior. Where in gripped three he has started to mature, working on his self improvement and making better decisions. Where he transformed from a young troubled boy to a more responsible young man.

October 2024: Gripped Part 4

1. Who would you recommend this book to and why?

I would recommend these to high school students who would acknowledge the effects that drug/alcohol use may have on their lives. How it affects relationships, mental, physical and emotional health. I would also recommend this book and series to parents, where it would help identify students behavior and whether they are being affected by alcohol or using drugs. 

2. Why do you feel the topics covered in the book are relevant for teenagers?

The topics covered Addiction + Recovery and Enhancing Growth. First off we can see addiction and recovery as the series is very heavily focused on the highs and lows of addiction and getting clean. As we as the readers watch characters battle addiction and be put in recovery which goes hand in hand with Enhancing growth. As characters work to break free from toxic environments and relationships and break away from their bad habits and cycles where they work to redeem themselves. 

3. Why should parents read this book?

As I mentioned earlier, it would help parents become more knowledgeable and aware of the drug epidemic that is happening all throughout high schools today. It would help them be able to monitor their children and help shield them from this epidemic going on. As well as be aware if their child is using and help them recover. 

4. At this point in the story, what are you most curious to uncover in Gripped 5?

How the themes of addiction and recovery, as well as peer pressure prevail throughout the story. We saw how each of these themes represented relationships and loyalty with characters in the story, as well as how it affects one’s personal growth and development. Going hand in hand with their behaviors and the choices they made. 

5. What did you like best about this book/what kept you wanting to turn the page?

The best part of the book for me was when Cathy became ungrounded and was able to start socializing again. Cathy finds out that Jason, her boyfriend, has been experimenting with drugs so she decides to try to save him but ends up facing who she is and the mistakes she has made along the way. This part of the book had me wondering, was she going to save jason? Or would she save him but lose herself?

6. What did you like about the writing style/setup of the story?

I liked how Stacy Padula did not sugarcoat anything throughout this whole series. I think it tells a lot about her as an honest person who wants to shed light on how addiction runs rampant in our society today and how no one is coming to terms with it or even choosing to acknowledge it. I appreciate her writing style and who she is as an author because as a high school student she helped open my eyes about the consequences of drug use. 

7. How has your opinion of the characters evolved overtime? Specify what you now think of the following people after reading Gripped 4:
   1. Luke – Supportive – loyal, encouraging
   2. Jordan – dangerous/a bad influence – peer pressure, self destruction, conflict
   3. Taylor – more mysterious – leaving clues for his brothers + his intertwinement with the police
   4. Jason – lost – experimenting with a variety of different drugs – losing himself and his morals
   5. Cathy – more compassionate – trying to care for Jason as he experiments with drugs

January 2025: Gripped Part 5

1. Who would you recommend this book to and why?

I would recommend this to someone struggling with addiction, helping them understand that there is always a way out. For example, Taylor was able to come through and work with the Boston Police Department and help take down the Biloti Gang. 

2. Why do you feel the topics covered in the book are relevant for teenagers?

Topics such as drug abuse and addiction are so important and relevant to teenagers because, during these years in their lives, it is so easy to get roped into gateway drugs that make it so easy to get hooked and take stronger drugs in the future. Where teenagers now can learn the risks of drugs from the Gripped series, maybe even preventing them from using drugs and falling to peer pressure. 

3. What 3 important messages does Gripped 5 send to readers?

“It’s never too late to turn over a new leaf.” “Family comes First” and “Forgiveness is key”

4. What are you most curious to uncover in Gripped Part 6?

I want to uncover if Taylor can find his way out of trouble and work with the Police Department in shutting down the Billoti gang forever. I also hope to see Cathy and Chantal’s relationship grow, as they were able to understand the mistakes they had each made. Hoping they can rekindle the bond that they had earlier in the Gripped Series.

5. What did you like best about this book and who is your favorite character in the series at this point?

My favorite character in this book has grown to be Taylor, which I really never expected it to be. After his careless actions and how he treats others, throughout the stories I was able to understand, especially in “Gripped 5” the “why” in Taylor’s situation. Where I have seen his character development excel and him grow as a person. 

6. What do you hope happens to:
   1. Taylor – finds his way out of trouble and help the BPD take down the Bilotti’s crime ring
   2. Cathy & Chantal – become closer friends and understand eachothers misunderstandings
   3. Cathy & Jason – discuss their relationship, Jason help Cathy get out of her dark place
   4. Luke & Missy – become more honest and learn they can trust each other
7. How has your opinion of the characters evolved overtime? Specify what you now think of the following people after reading Gripped 5 vs. what your initial impression was:
   1. Taylor – careless, self-centered, and rude was my first impression of Taylor to now in Gripped 5, unlucky 
   2. Jordan – Similar to Taylor, careless, goofy but now more serious and faithful, willing to help out Taylor in Gripped 5 
   3. Marc – Innocent and jealous but in Gripped 5 more forgiving and mature
   4. Missy – My idea for Missy is around the same where she is continued to be careless, and secretive, especially from Luke
   5. Luke – Desperate, outcasted, fighter, In Gripped 5 – understanding, confident, regretful
   6. Laurelle – same – being kept in the dark about Taylor’s drug dealing