By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA After reading Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story, Mackenzie was asked to share her honest opinions of the characters and how they have changed since the beginning of the series. Taylor After reading Gripped 5, I think that Taylor is a really good kid who was dealt a bad hand and … Continue reading Mackenzie Wells on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA In “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula, I loved seeing the dynamic between the three Dunkin brothers (Taylor, Jordan, and Marc), especially now as they are changing for the better. I think there have always been redeeming qualities in Marc’s relationship with Taylor. Even when Taylor was at … Continue reading Mackenzie Wells Analyzes Key Relationships in Stacy Padula’s Gripped Book Series
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA In the fourth installment of Stacy Padula’s Gripped Book series, the stakes are higher as Taylor Dunkin struggles to save himself and protect the ones he loves. He never knew that a slippery slope could cause him to fall into such a pit of despair. As he tries to pull … Continue reading Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA Gripped Part 3: The Fallout by Stacy Padula is a story about the search for redemption. Chris Dunkin has had his eyes opened to the impact his choices are making on his friends and his own life. Despite his desire to turn his life around, Chris realizes that he is … Continue reading Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 3: The Fallout” by Stacy Padula
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula is a cautionary tale for young adults, but it is also a humanizing story of those who have fallen into bad habits. Eighth graders Chris Dunkin, Cathy Kagelli, and Jason Davids are an integral part of their clique in their community, and are … Continue reading Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 2: Blindsided” by Stacy Padula
Who would you recommend Gripped Part 1 to and why? “Gripped Part 1” by Stacy Padula deals with the stories of young adults navigating the transitions between middle school, high school, and college. I would recommend this book to readers in middle or high school. These books give them a glimpse into how one person’s … Continue reading An Interview with UGA’s Mackenzie Wells on Gripped 1: The Truth We Never Told
Series Review by Mackenzie Wells, University of Georgia Mackenzie Wells is a senior at the University of Georgia, majoring in English and public relations. She is a leader at the Wesley Foundation at UGA, the community outreach coordinator for UGA’s Undergraduate English Association, and a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Mackenzie … Continue reading Mackenzie Wells of UGA Reviews Stacy Padula’s Montgomery Lake High Book Series
Written by Mackenzie Wells, University of Georgia—A mixture between “The Screwtape Letters” and a Nancy Drew novel, “The Forces Within” by Stacy A. Padula takes a poignantly authentic look at spiritual warfare – albeit disguised as a metaphor. A group of high school freshmen find themselves taking refuge in an old abandoned mansion deep in the woods. As mysterious occurrences begin to take place, the teenagers realize that the battle is for their lives – and their hearts. A shocking reminder of a too-often overlooked battle, this book is desperately needed to educate today’s generation. Although this book deals with a heavy topic which can take some guidance to understand, it is specifically aimed at young adults and approaches the issue in a way relevant to our lives.
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA After reading “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story,” I can say this book is my favorite in the series yet! I love the mystery of it and the high-profile suspense. The characters seem more relatable than ever before, and I love seeing how the story continues to unfold. It is crazy … Continue reading The Most Thrilling Gripped Novel Yet: Taylor’s Story
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA Anyone who likes true crime or detective novels will enjoy the mysterious intrigue of Taylor’s Story (Gripped 5) by Stacy Padula. I would recommend this book to many young adults who like thrilling stories that are more than just action packed. This book is still perfect for anyone who enjoys … Continue reading UGA Grad Recommends Thrilling Crime Novel to Young Adults
Books by Stacy A. Padula 