Written by Sophia Coggeshall, Marshfield, Massachusetts Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula provides the reader with a realistic, uncensored look into what it is like to deal with the lasting effects of drugs, specifically through the storylines of characters such as Taylor Dunkin, a recovering addict and drug dealer, and his relationship withContinueContinue reading ““Blindsided” Takes an Uncensored Look at Teen Substance Abuse & Its Effects on Relationships”
Author Archives: Author Stacy A. Padula
New Young Adult Book Takes a Startling Look at Mounting Social Pressures Amongst Teens
Article by Joanna Dakoyannis, Dover, MA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided is an excellent book for high school students to read for several reasons. First, it takes a startling look into the lives of teenagers and what their social experiences around drugs and sex can entail. The story also exemplifies what the effects of drug andContinueContinue reading “New Young Adult Book Takes a Startling Look at Mounting Social Pressures Amongst Teens”
Teen Book Series Educates Readers about Drug Abuse in a New Way
The Gripped book series by Stacy A. Padula allows teens to learn about substance abuse in a different manner than they are accustomed to at school. Instead of being educated about the issue, they are instead being warned about the consequences of taking drugs. More specifically, readers will see the drastic changes that drugs can make to a teenager, such as a change in personality traits, motives, or social interactions.
Gripped Book Series Sheds Light on Montgomery Lake High’s Main Characters
Article by Joanna Dakoyannis, Dover, MA Although Chantal Kagelli has been a favorite character of mine throughout Stacy A. Padula’s Montgomery Lake High book series, I found her somewhat frustrating in Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told. I feel that she passes judgement quickly and fails to communicate with the people who care aboutContinueContinue reading “Gripped Book Series Sheds Light on Montgomery Lake High’s Main Characters”
Relatable Characters Make “Gripped” a Must Read for High School Students
Article by Katherine Nally, Scituate, MA At the end of Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula, I was left dying to uncover what happens between Taylor Dunkin and the Boston police. In the last chapter of Gripped Part 1, a detective interrupts Marc Dunkin’s meeting at Boston College toContinueContinue reading “Relatable Characters Make “Gripped” a Must Read for High School Students”
New Teen Fiction Book Teaches the Importance of Healthy Relationships
Article by Joanna Dakoyannis, Dover, Massachusetts As a young adult, I can easily relate to the scenarios portrayed in Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula. The dating and friendship drama, as well as the substance abuse, are real issues that I see unfolding every day. Similar to the charactersContinueContinue reading “New Teen Fiction Book Teaches the Importance of Healthy Relationships”
In Spite of Their Flaws I Can’t Help but Love The “Gripped” Characters
The evolution of the characters in the newly released Gripped book series by Stacy A. Padula keeps me eagerly turning the page. From Gripped Part 1 to Gripped Part 2, my perception of Taylor Dunkin has changed due to the way I now see his involvement in drugs.
New Teen Book Series’ Dynamic Characters Will Leave You Gripped
So far in the Gripped book series my two favorite characters are Chris Dunkin and Marc Dunkin. Despite having such a troubling childhood, neglected by his parents and left to be raised by his reckless older cousin, Chris lives his life putting the happiness of those around him before his own, a trait that makes me strongly admire his character.
New Young Adult Book Addresses the Stigma Surrounding Drugs, Alcohol, & Teenagers
Article by Katherine Nally, Scituate, MA The book Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula is a fast-paced and complex novel—perfect for tweens, teens, and parents—that is hard to put down. The many different storylines are captivating and make you want to read the entire book in one sitting. GrippedContinueContinue reading “New Young Adult Book Addresses the Stigma Surrounding Drugs, Alcohol, & Teenagers”
New Fiction Book Series Takes a Compelling Look at Teenage Substance Abuse in Massachusetts
Article by Joanna Dakoyannis, Dover, MA The first book in the Gripped series, Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula takes a compelling look at substance abuse in the lives of high school, middle school, and college students. The story builds off of Padula’s Montgomery Lake High book series, incorporating theContinueContinue reading “New Fiction Book Series Takes a Compelling Look at Teenage Substance Abuse in Massachusetts”
New Young Adult Novel Accurately Represents the Hardships Commonly Faced by Teenagers
Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula, is yet another book in the Gripped series that accurately represents the hardships faced by many teenagers. This book also shows how substance use that starts for fun or for experimentation can turn into a dangerous habit that changes every aspect of a person’s life.
Marshfield Senior Recommends Teens Read New Novel About Addiction
From reading Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, kids can learn how one seemingly harmless decision can lead to a series of drastic, uncontrollable consequences. Not only does the book reveal the dangerous, addictive effects that drugs have on teenagers, but it also reveals how drugs can cause both relationship and mental health problems as many of the characters in the novel become distant with their friends and family and suffer from extreme anxiety as a result of the drugs they have become entangled in.
The People Behind the Gripped Book Series
When a book is published, people see the author’s name on the cover, but hardly ever do they hear about the team of people who helped bring the story to fruition. Yet, behind the scenes, a group of talented individuals may have provided insight and feedback to help the author keep the book relevant toContinueContinue reading “The People Behind the Gripped Book Series”
Sophia Coggeshall Breaks Down the “Gripped” Characters
The storyline with Taylor Dunkin and the police in Gripped by Stacy A. Padula is most interesting to me because I am so curious to see what will happen with his future.
Jordan Dunkin, the Black Sheep of “Gripped” or Not?
Article by Michael Farinacci—Medfield, Massachusetts Michael Farinacci Since Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, Jordan Dunkin has been, by far, the most intriguing character in my opinion. At the University of Notre Dame, he has a high GPA, has joined the Catholic club, and is starting at wide receiver on one of the best football teams inContinueContinue reading “Jordan Dunkin, the Black Sheep of “Gripped” or Not?”
Gripped on “Gripped” – Why Teens Will Love This New Book Series
As a young adult, I can relate to Gripped by Stacy A. Padula because I have witnessed firsthand some of the same issues within my own high school and friend group that the characters in the story have been through. I am at an age where the curiosity of experimentation along with peer pressure drive people to try things and do things that often lead to difficult and even dangerous consequences, and I have seen how one bad decision can lead to an immense amount of turmoil, as experienced by several of the characters in Gripped.
The Good & The Bad: Gripped’s Protagonist Taylor Dunkin
Article by Jennifer O’Sullivan, Dover, Massachusetts Jennifer O’Sullivan In Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told, by Stacy A. Padula, Taylor Dunkin plays a major role. In the novel, I found the storyline about him and the Boston police department to be the most interesting. To me, Taylor seemed like a really nice, smart,ContinueContinue reading “The Good & The Bad: Gripped’s Protagonist Taylor Dunkin”
Joanna Dakoyannis’s Interview on “The Forces Within”
Joanna Dakoyannis is a senior at Dover-Sherborn High School. She enjoys creative writing, traveling, going to the gym, running track for her high school team and loves cheering on the team at school sporting events. She plans to be a science major in college and hopes to eventually attend dental school.
New Teen Fiction Book Helps Kids Realize Their Choices Today Matter
As a seventeen year old in high school, I have definitely been exposed to both drugs and alcohol. When I was younger, I watched plenty of movies and TV shows with high schoolers drinking and doing drugs at parties, but I thought that was only something that happened on television. Now, being around the age of the characters in the book, I am fully aware of what really goes on at this age. Kids at my school cannot go a full school day without vaping in the bathrooms, they rely on alcohol to have fun at parties, and prescription pills that are not prescribed to them. A huge focus in our health classes are drugs and how easy it is to become addicted, but students do not want to listen to teachers who seem like they are scolding them. Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula is the perfect book for tweens and teens because it is a true version of what happens as a young adult. It is a fast-paced and complex novel perfect for teens and parents that is hard to put down.
New Teen Book Educates Kids about Prescription Drug Abuse, but Is It Controversial?
Gripped Part 3: The Fallout 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.
