Joanna Dakoyannis By Joanna Dakoyannis—Providence College Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy A. Padula delves into the lives of some of the older, college-aged characters in the series. Although the previous books have mentioned them, there is more insight on Taylor, Jordan, Michelle, Missy, and some of their other friends. The focus on different charactersContinueContinue reading “Providence College Freshman Joanna Dakoyannis Discusses “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors””
Author Archives: Author Stacy A. Padula
Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 3: The Fallout” 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 isContinueContinue reading “Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 3: The Fallout” by Stacy Padula”
Jenna Finnerty Reviews “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors”
By Jenna Finnerty, Norwell, Massachusetts & University of New Hampshire Stacy Padula & Jenna Finnerty The book Gripped Part 4 by Stacy Padula is a great book to teach teens and parents what it would be like to get into drugs and how it can affect your life. The book goes into detail about howContinueContinue reading “Jenna Finnerty Reviews “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors””
Relatable Characters Make Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Book Series a Teen Favorite
Joseph Siracusa is currently the president of the senior class at Xaverian Brother’s High School. In his free time, Joseph enjoys graphic designing, playing soccer, watching sports, and learning about many different topics. Joseph plans on studying finance in college, in hopes of pursuing a career in it. Written by Joseph Siracusa, Braintree, MA InContinueContinue reading “Relatable Characters Make Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Book Series a Teen Favorite”
Sophia Karnolt Reviews “The Battle for Innocence” by Stacy Padula
Sophia Karnolt Written By Sophia Karnolt, Kingston, MA I recommend “The Battle for Innocence” by Stacy Padula to anyone who is about to enter high school because it highlights the importance of keeping your morals and staying true to what you believe. Peer Pressure is a big encounter that many people entering high school experienceContinueContinue reading “Sophia Karnolt Reviews “The Battle for Innocence” by Stacy Padula”
Oliver Ames Senior Recommends Young Adult Novel to Teens & Parents
Emily Han By Emily Han, Easton, Massachusetts I recommend Stacy Padula’s latest novel, Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors, to both teens and their parents because it shows an honest point of view relating to the topics of drug and alcohol use. It can prepare teens for situations that they may have to address in highContinueContinue reading “Oliver Ames Senior Recommends Young Adult Novel to Teens & Parents”
Jennifer O’Sullivan Recommends “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula
Jennifer O’Sullivan By Jennifer O’Sullivan, Dover, Massachusetts & Boston College I would highly recommend Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula to any young adults in middle or high school because of the great lessons it can teach to impressionable kids, but also parents whose children may be about to enter this life stage.ContinueContinue reading “Jennifer O’Sullivan Recommends “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula”
Plymouth Author Stacy Padula Talks Entrepreneurship on the ETOP Business Podcast
On Saturday January 30th, award-winning author Stacy Padula of Plymouth, Massachusetts was a guest on the business-based ETOP podcast out of Wisconsin. She discusses her two young adult book series, her upcoming children’s book series with NBA Coach Brett Gunning, Briley & Baxter Publications, South Shore College Consulting & Tutoring, the Two Cuddly Dachshund storeContinueContinue reading “Plymouth Author Stacy Padula Talks Entrepreneurship on the ETOP Business Podcast”
“Gripped” By Stacy Padula: “An Addictive Read”
Joseph Siracusa is currently the president of the senior class at Xaverian Brother’s High School. In his free time, Joseph enjoys graphic designing, playing soccer, watching sports, and learning about many different topics. Joseph plans on studying finance in college, in hopes of pursuing a career in it. Written by Joseph Siracusa, Braintree, MA TheContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” By Stacy Padula: “An Addictive Read””
New Young Adult Book Entertains, Educates, & Engages Teens and Parents
Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts The plot of “Gripped Part 3: The Fallout” by Stacy A. Padula handles subjects such as substance abuse and relationship problems, both of which are prevalent in the lives of young adults. This book shows how even those who think they are “experimenting” with drugs can become ensnared in aContinueContinue reading “New Young Adult Book Entertains, Educates, & Engages Teens and Parents”
New Y.A. Book Shows Effects of Modern High School Peer Pressure
By Joanna Dakoyannis, Providence College Gripped 4: Smoke and Mirrors by Stacy Padula is the fascinating continuation of the story centered around a group of teens from Montgomery Lake High School. They are influenced by older siblings and peers who are involved in drug and alcohol use. Taylor, the older sibling of Marc and JordanContinueContinue reading “New Y.A. Book Shows Effects of Modern High School Peer Pressure”
Sophia Karnolt Reviews “The Battle for Innocence” by Stacy Padula
Sophia Karnolt Written By Sophia Karnolt, Kingston, MA The transition period from middle school to high school is a very big milestone in teens. You are introduced to peer pressure and it also tests how strong you are to yourself. Young teens are brought into situations including different substances which shape who they turn outContinueContinue reading “Sophia Karnolt Reviews “The Battle for Innocence” by Stacy Padula”
Xaverian Brothers Senior Reviews Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 2: Blindsided”
By Joe Siracusa—Braintree, Massachusetts Joseph Siracusa, Xaverian Brothers High School Class of 2021 The novel Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula portrays the damaged relationships of many characters as a result of drug and alcohol abuse. When Taylor, the older brother of Marc and Jordan, begins to attempt recovering from addiction, he hasContinueContinue reading “Xaverian Brothers Senior Reviews Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 2: Blindsided””
Emily Han Discusses the Dual Timeline Development in Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors”
Emily Han By Emily Han, Easton, Massachusetts As I read Gripped Part 4: Smoke and Mirrors by Stacy A. Padula, finding out how the characters’ past actions affected them in the present was my favorite part. The dual timelines in the novel show the choices the characters made previously as well as how those choicesContinueContinue reading “Emily Han Discusses the Dual Timeline Development in Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors””
Isabelle Semas Reviews Gripped Part 3: The Fallout
Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts Picking up where Gripped Part 2 left off, Gripped Part 3: The Fallout by Stacy Padula dives back into the life of Taylor Dunkin, promising athlete turned drug-dealer, and his fight to escape the Bilotti crime ring. His brother, Marc Dunkin, is determined to help him in any wayContinueContinue reading “Isabelle Semas Reviews Gripped Part 3: The Fallout”
Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 2: Blindsided” 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 areContinueContinue reading “Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 2: Blindsided” by Stacy Padula”
Young Adult Book Teaches Teens the Importance of Choosing Relationships Wisely
Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts “Gripped Part 2: Blindsided” by Stacy A. Padula unveils the raw truth behind prescription and recreational drug addiction. These topics—though uncomfortable to speak about with young teens—are far too prevalent in our society to be ignored. The Gripped series portrays exactly how this process takes place through an engaging storyline. ByContinueContinue reading “Young Adult Book Teaches Teens the Importance of Choosing Relationships Wisely”
Young Adult Book Captures Modern Teen Life & the Social Pressures Faced By High School Students
Sophia Karnolt By Sophia Karnolt, Kingston, MA & Thayer Academy As a senior in high school, I think all teenagers could benefit from reading “The Aftermath” by Stacy A. Padula, especially high-schoolers who feel they don’t know their place or anyone who feels lost. This book mainly focuses on the struggles of being caught upContinueContinue reading “Young Adult Book Captures Modern Teen Life & the Social Pressures Faced By High School Students”
“Gripped” Relationships: Jon Anderson & Chantal Kagelli
We continue our character relationship series with Jon Anderson and Chantal Kagelli whose relationship ends up being at the center of most drama that occurs in the two book series. This is true even years after their confusing breakup. But it didn’t start out dramatic—not at all. Jon and Chantal came together as kindred spirits,ContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Jon Anderson & Chantal Kagelli”
“Gripped” Relationships: Missy Kent & Luke Davids
We continue our character relationship series with Missy Kent and Luke Davids. Luke becomes acquainted with Missy by hanging out with his older brother Matt’s grade in high school. Missy’s childlike enthusiasm for life and outgoing nature make her someone a lot of guys find attractive, and her free-spirited approach makes her quite hard toContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Missy Kent & Luke Davids”
