Stacy Padula’s Gripped book series for young adults covers controversial topics such as substance abuse, which may deter some hesitant parents and schools from recommending the books to teens. While Gripped Part 3: The Fallout exposes readers to Adderall, acid, marijuana, alcohol, and Xanax, the author’s intention is to educate tweens and teens on drug and alcohol abuse. The novel focuses not on the use of drugs, but how the use of drugs negatively impacts relationships, family dynamics, and athletic and school performance. After reading the novel, it is clear that the message behind the stories told is not only about drug use, but connects to a bigger social issue of how we can stop this cycle in teenage society.
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Y.A. Fiction Novel Teaches Valuable Lessons in an Entertaining Way
Written by Kate Peterson, Hingham, MA The young adult book Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is a great read. It teaches many valuable lessons, ranging from friendship to drug addiction. Through the experiences of one of the main characters, it addresses the epidemic of opioids to teenagers in aContinueContinue reading “Y.A. Fiction Novel Teaches Valuable Lessons in an Entertaining Way”
‘Gripped’ Series Addresses Social Issues Relevant to Today’s Teen Culture
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA I really enjoyed Stacy Padula’s book, Gripped Part 3: The Fallout. The novel starts off in the present day and jumps back eight months, then comes full circle, ending in the present day. As a reader you are able to see the character development throughout the book. As manyContinueContinue reading “‘Gripped’ Series Addresses Social Issues Relevant to Today’s Teen Culture”
Y.A. Fiction Novel Sends Important Message to Teen Readers
Written by Kate Peterson, Hingham, MA I recommend Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula to middle school and high school students. They are the perfect age for this book because it relates so well to teenagers’ everyday lives. The characters are in their age group and going through tricky experiencesContinueContinue reading “Y.A. Fiction Novel Sends Important Message to Teen Readers”
Megan Farinacci On ‘Gripped Part 2: Blindsided’
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula puts drug abuse into the perspective of young adults, even reaching a middle school aged audience. The book focuses heavily on the younger characters who will soon be attending high school. Although the topics covered in this book are not what manyContinueContinue reading “Megan Farinacci On ‘Gripped Part 2: Blindsided’”
Gripped 2: Blindsided – A School Book Or Not?
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts The drug use and sexual content in Gripped 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula will likely get it banned from schools, but the topics are too relevant in teenage culture to be ignored. This book should be read by kids in middle school and high school to teach themContinueContinue reading “Gripped 2: Blindsided – A School Book Or Not?”
Y.A. Fiction Novel Addresses Crucial Issues For Teenagers
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula was extremely eye opening. It is crucial for these issues to be addressed in a novel for young adults. In this novel, we see how even middle schoolers are affected by drugs and alcohol. This sequel focuses on fourteen year old ChrisContinueContinue reading “Y.A. Fiction Novel Addresses Crucial Issues For Teenagers”
Gripped 2: Blindsided – Not Just A Teen Read
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts The book Gripped, Part Two: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula is an intriguing story that allows young adult readers to learn about the severity of drug use and the possible impacts it can have on peoples’ lives. It gives readers an in-depth view into the lives of manyContinueContinue reading “Gripped 2: Blindsided – Not Just A Teen Read”
[Video] NBA Coach Brett Gunning & Stacy Padula’s “On The Right Path” Endorsed by Pastor Joel Osteen, Kevin McHale, & Mike D’Antoni
An Enlightening Nightmare: The Forces Within
Written by Lindsay Rourke – Kingston, Massachusetts Have you ever awoken from a dream (nightmare seems more fitting, actually) in a cold sweat, fighting the shortness of breath, and struggling to decipher foe from reality? Imagine being stuck in that parallel world for a month straight—now that’s a nightmare. Facing nothing other than his innerContinueContinue reading “An Enlightening Nightmare: The Forces Within”
A Teenage Take on the Gripped Series’ Characters
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts In the first book in Stacy Padula’s Gripped series, the reader meets a large cast of characters whom any teenager would easily relate to and empathize with. As a teen myself, I most closely relate to Jason Davids because he seems to try to see all perspectives whenContinueContinue reading “A Teenage Take on the Gripped Series’ Characters”
Lindsay Rourke Reviews “The Battle for Innocence” by Stacy Padula
Written by Lindsay Rourke – Kingston, Massachusetts The Battle for Innocence is something that every teeneager faces when their world becomes tainted with temptations that challenge their character, jeopardizing their innocence. Temptation is a normal part of society, and helps decipher who can muster the integrity to turn away from it. Some aren’t so lucky.ContinueContinue reading “Lindsay Rourke Reviews “The Battle for Innocence” by Stacy Padula”
Charlie Hallal Reviews Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts The book Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is an incredibly entertaining story that never fails to keep readers entertained and engaged. The many interesting characters that appear in the story demonstrate both how important it is to be conscious about how yourContinueContinue reading “Charlie Hallal Reviews Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told”
Jason’s Journey from Darkness to Faith in “The Aftermath”
Written by Lindsay Rourke – Kingston, Massachusetts In The Aftermath (MLH #3) by Stacy Padula, the reader becomes well acquainted with Jason Davids, the kid who has it all: brains, beauty, and popularity. A life full of fulfillment, so one should think. Despite his blessings, Jason has constantly fought off a void he felt fromContinueContinue reading “Jason’s Journey from Darkness to Faith in “The Aftermath””
Hingham High School Junior Shares Why Teens Should Be Reading The Gripped Series
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts As a junior in high school, I would recommend Stacy Padula’s book, Gripped #1: The Truth We Never Told, to any kid anywhere from middle school to college. This is due to the many ways I feel kids in this age group, including myself, can relate to theContinueContinue reading “Hingham High School Junior Shares Why Teens Should Be Reading The Gripped Series”
An Interview with Weymouth’s John Savage about Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters
After reading Gripped 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula, John Savage, a senior at Weymouth High School, was interviewed about the different characters. 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 interestingContinueContinue reading “An Interview with Weymouth’s John Savage about Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters”
Debut Novel in Teen Book Series Leaves Y.A. Readers Begging for More
Written by John Savage, Weymouth, Massachusetts The book, Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is a story that revolves around a group of friends who are being introduced to love, drugs, and young adult life for the first time. It illustrates how difficult becoming a young adult is and howContinueContinue reading “Debut Novel in Teen Book Series Leaves Y.A. Readers Begging for More”
Mackenzie Wells Analyzes Key Relationships in Stacy Padula’s Gripped Book Series
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 atContinueContinue reading “Mackenzie Wells Analyzes Key Relationships in Stacy Padula’s Gripped Book Series”
The Thrilling Search for Answers in Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA The fourth book in Stacy Padula’s Gripped series will be captivating to anyone who likes mysteries or a thrilling search for answers. I believe “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” will still appeal to the same audience as the first three books while also drawing new readers to the series withContinueContinue reading “The Thrilling Search for Answers in Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors”
Megan Farinacci On Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters
Interview with Megan Farinacci of Medfield, MA After reading Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula, junior in high school Megan Farinacci was interviewed about the many different characters in the novel. Who do you most relate to? I relate to Cathy’s younger self the most. I see many similarities betweenContinueContinue reading “Megan Farinacci On Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters”
