An Interview with Pembroke High School’s Bella Gill on “When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy A. Padula

| Written by Bella Gill, Pembroke, Massachusetts |

Meet Bella Gill

Bella is a junior at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Massachusetts.  She is a midfielder for the South Shore Select 2006 Girls Academy Soccer Team and is headed to the National Finals in St. Louis this summer.  She is also a midfielder for the Pembroke High School Girls Varsity soccer team.  Additionally, Bella is the vice-president of her class, a member of the Pembroke High School Yearbook staff and assistant coaches a U10 girls soccer team. Bella enjoys traveling with her family and friends, skiing, reading, babysitting, and working in the local office of a gastroenterologist. Bella’s favorite subjects include English, History, and Model UN.  She hopes to study abroad in Europe in college. 

After reading “Montgomery Lake High #2: When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy Padula, Bella was interview on her opinion of the characters and the story.

  1. Who could benefit from reading this book?

I think most people could certainly benefit from reading this book. Most readers could relate to the plot and pinpoint someone in their life who is also struggling. Everyone can understand the concept of smart and good people making a bad decision and then losing themself. Although it may appeal to teens the most, I think any age group could learn something from this story. 

  1. What positive messages does this book convey to readers?

When Darkness Tries to Hide conveys a variety of positive messages to readers. The message that stuck out to me the most was how important it is to support those around you who are going through a difficult period in their life. The level of support that a community or friend group shows to an individual is necessary and important. 

  1. Why should teens read this book?

Teens should read this book because it focuses on easily relatable subjects such as friendship, peer pressure, addiction, and uncomfortable party scenes. The different teenage perspectives are similar to those of actual high school students so it is interesting and enjoyable to read as a teen. It also teaches a number of crucial life lessons. 

  1. How has your opinion of Jason changed since reading the first MLH book?

My opinion of Jason has completely flipped since reading the first MLH book. At the start I thought Jason was extremely selfish and was a bad influence to his friends. As the story continued I learned that he was unaware of how to stop his negative influence and felt like he had lost himself. He hated his behavior but did not know how to change. I began to feel bad for Jason due to his addiction and lack of happiness. 

  1. A main theme of this story is the battle between the dark and the light. When one is in darkness, he or she cannot see anything clearly. How does the last chapter relate to the events of the story and the theme of light vs. darkness?

Throughout the ending of the book, you are able to see Jason emerging into his own period of lightness through his realization that his life has been in the dark this entire time. His previous actions of comparing himself and his problems to others forced him to be hidden in the darkness. In the final chapter he was finally able to see that when he put work into something and got out a positive outcome it made him feel happier than any drug could. This realization strengthened his relationships with his friends, family, and religion.

Synopsis

Students at Montgomery Lake High believe the ominous clouds and impending storm will only bring a temporary interruption to their regularly scheduled lives. However, when the tempest grows worse and a classmate’s life hangs in the balance, students must pull together to support each other and seek help for their friend. As the lines between cliques dissolve, dark secrets are revealed and hearts are transformed.

Bella Gill reviews “When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy A. Padula

| Written by Bella Gill, Pembroke, Massachusetts |

Meet Bella Gill

Bella is a junior at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Massachusetts.  She is a midfielder for the South Shore Select 2006 Girls Academy Soccer Team and is headed to the National Finals in St. Louis this summer.  She is also a midfielder for the Pembroke High School Girls Varsity soccer team.  Additionally, Bella is the vice-president of her class, a member of the Pembroke High School Yearbook staff and assistant coaches a U10 girls soccer team. Bella enjoys traveling with her family and friends, skiing, reading, babysitting, and working in the local office of a gastroenterologist. Bella’s favorite subjects include English, History, and Model UN.  She hopes to study abroad in Europe in college. 

“When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy Padula is the second book in the Montgomery Lake High series. It is a compelling story that depicts the lives of a teenage friend group who are attempting to deal with a major tragedy.

The trauma they are faced with forces them to step back and reconsider their actions. The descriptive and page-turning plot shows how impactful the teens’ actions are on those around them. The novel also points out how important friendship and support can be to teenagers, especially when they are going through a difficult time period. The characters portray the importance of religion and how it can lift you up from your lowest points. Readers will learn that taking time to be there for those around you is crucial and determines the outcome of many relationships. 

I would highly recommend “When Darkness Tries to Hide” to all readers. Although it may appeal to teenagers the most, I think every age group could benefit from it. The story is extremely eye-opening about common issues such as alcohol and drug addiction and reading about each teen’s life spreads awareness about these problems in younger generations. I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars; it is definitely a must read!

Synopsis

Students at Montgomery Lake High believe the ominous clouds and impending storm will only bring a temporary interruption to their regularly scheduled lives. However, when the tempest grows worse and a classmate’s life hangs in the balance, students must pull together to support each other and seek help for their friend. As the lines between cliques dissolve, dark secrets are revealed and hearts are transformed.

Maya Daly Shares Why Stacy Padula’s Novel “The Right Person” is Beneficial for Teenagers

Written by Maya Daly, Duxbury, Massachusetts

Maya is a senior at Duxbury High School, where she is a member of the Varsity Rowing Team. In school, she is a part of the yearbook club, Best Buddies club, and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys studying English and history, and plans to major in one of those subjects in college. 

As a senior in high school, I would recommend Montgomery Lake High #1: The Right Person by Stacy A. Padula to all students who are either in or soon to be in high school. This book takes readers into the depths of how easy it can be to be influenced by the wrong crowd, and how all actions can lead to serious consequences. This book also highlights how anyone, even those who may be the most against it, can be sucked into drug and alcohol abuse. I think that no matter what stage of life someone is in, this book can be a beneficial read, as it truly shows how anyone can fall victim to the slippery slope of addiction. However, I do think that overall, this book is most important for those who are either in or entering into high school, as it teaches another important lesson of how you are only as good as the people who you surround yourself with. 

What can be learned from Chris and Courtney’s relationship in The Right Person is that you cannot always push yourself to fit into a life that does not suit you. At the time when Chris and Courtney meet in the book, we see two teens who are the antithesis of one another. Chris, the “life of the party”, who has been surrounded by drugs and alcohol from a young age, but is now looking to get away from this title. On the other end of the spectrum, there is Courtney, who is a highly moral and “innocent” girl, who is just beginning to dabble in the party atmosphere. I think that as their paths cross, and they continue to both draw farther away from each other in what they want, Courtney holds Chris back as he searches for newfound sobriety. I see the two of them as being a good example of a “right person, wrong time” situation, unless they can continue to try to work through this issue, and both come away from the intense partying environment. 

One of the main ideas that I saw as I read this book was the idea of being on the right path, and how easily small things can throw you off track. For Courtney, the main thing that pushed her away from the highly moral and sober path she was on was meeting Chris and falling into his bad habits. I think that with most of the teens in this book, even those who aren’t the main characters, they do not see that they are going down the wrong path until its too late. We are able to see this directly with Chris, who begins to search for sobriety only after developing an addiction, which forces him to have a long and hard journey in his future toward getting sober. We also see this with Courtney, who is thrown off of the right path down onto the wrong one in an attempt to fit in with Chris’s lifestyle, which leaves her much worse off than she would have been had she not met Chris or fallen into his life. 

For me, I think what was most intriguing about this novel was the push and pull between Chris and Courtney’s storylines. Seeing these two people intersect, and then in turn begin to sort of change roles in many ways was a very interesting way to see drug and alcohol abuse painted. In this book, we are able to see both paths that one may take, the road to sobriety and the dangerous road of getting involved with drugs and alcohol. I think that the contrast between the two really emphasizes the importance of being safe around drugs and alcohol and really knowing the consequences before going down that road. Watching as these two story lines unfolded was the most interesting part of the book for me, as well as watching how the change between these two characters and what they were most focused on impacted their relationship with one another. 

As an older teenager now, I can reflect back on the time of coming into high school and feeling an immense and overwhelming pressure to fit in with others. I think that no matter how strong someone’s morals may be at this time, it is inevitable that we all may conform to peer pressure now and then. However, this novel illustrates how at a certain point, confining to peer pressure can become more consequential than a juvenile mistake, especially when drugs and alcohol become involved, which I think speaks highly to those in the phase of their life as teens and young adults. 

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

Maeve Shortt on the “Gripped” Characters: The Truth We Never Told

About Maeve Shortt

Maeve is a junior at St. John Paul II High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and a school retreat leader. She is a captain of her school’s varsity field hockey team, plays on the varsity lacrosse team, and is a player on the Cape Cod Field Hockey club team. Additionally, she was elected as a Cape-Cod All Star this past season. She is also a Climate Change Ambassador for the Cape Cod Commission. In the spring, Maeve will be attending the Mountain School of Milton Academy in Vershire, VT as a one-semester program. She hopes to study business and finance in the future.

After reading Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula, Maeve was asked to share her honest opinion about the characters and their storylines. Below are her responses:

  1. Who do you feel bad for and why?
    • I feel bad for Chantal throughout the “flashback” portion of the novel, because she is constantly trying to juggle her faith with her social life and find a balance. At her age, it is difficult to navigate religion and find out where she stands with it, and if it is necessarily a direct description of her morals. She also has the responsibility of taking care of her twin sister who formerly struggled with social situations. Therefore, Chantal took it upon herself to invite Cathy into her group, which must have required a lot of maturity. 
  2. Who frustrates you and why?
    • I am frustrated by Taylor and Jordan for not better shielding Chris throughout his early teen years, but mostly Taylor. If he truly was worried about Chris drinking and smoking, he would have made sure to have more control of the situation and separate his social life with his 13-year old cousin’s. Being exposed that early on can have a heavy effect on the rest of Chris’ life, and that is a risk that Taylor should not have taken. 
  3. Who do you most relate to and why?
    • I think that I most relate to Cathy, because it also takes me a while to warm up to people. I struggle with being open to making new friends, and I prefer to keep my circle small. I also do not know firsthand the dynamic that being a twin can come with, but having two younger brothers that are twins I can speculate the complexity of their relationship and somehow relate to what that may feel like. 
  4. Who do you like and why?
    • I like Marc Dunkin the most, because of his consistent reliability and his strong morals. He cares very much about his brother and his well-being, and that is shown throughout the entire book. I believe he also looks out for his cousin Chris more so than his two older brothers, and wants to shield him from their crazy tendencies. 
  5. Who do you hate and why?
    • I hate Jon, because although I understand it is difficult to balance friends, religion, and a girlfriend, it is his responsibility to communicate that. He allowed Chantal to believe that he had simply lost interest in her, when really he was just internally struggling. If he had relayed that to her, she would have done anything she could to help him. I do not necessarily blame him for the mistakes that he had made due to peer pressure, but what does bother me is that he continued to make those mistakes even though he did not feel pressured and just wanted to “numb his guilt”. 
  6. Whose storyline do you find the most compelling?
    • The storyline that I find the most interesting is Jason and Cathy’s, because the novel left off on a cliffhanger concerning what had happened between the two of them. Because the two of them are such intriguing characters with a lot of emotional depth to them, it is hard to imagine one hurting the other as intensely as the book leads us to believe. The “innocence” that Cathy held when they had first met, compared to the girls Jason was normally interested in also made their dynamic all the more entertaining. They cared about one another very much at such a young age, and the effect that Jason still has on Cathy in the present day clearly shows us that she is not over him, nor is he over her.

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

In high school, Taylor Dunkin broke more records than any other athlete to step foot in Montgomery, Massachusetts. As a sophomore in college, he was ranked by ESPN as one of the NFL’s top 100 prospects. However, his aspirations came to a jarring halt when a season-ending injury sent him spiraling into a dark world of pain, depression, and addiction.

One year later, Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential investigation headed by the Boston Police Department. He has entangled himself in a crime ring notorious for pushing drugs on local college campuses. Montgomery’s hometown hero has fallen hard, and he’s taking a lot of people down with him.

Luke Davids has become the middleman between Taylor and teens in Montgomery who want to buy drugs. Freshmen Cathy Kagelli, Chris Dunkin, and Jason Davids are just a few of the students at Montgomery Lake High who have fallen victim to the benzos and opiates supplied by Taylor and Luke. 

When Taylor’s youngest brother Marc discovers that Taylor is behind the copious amount of pills circulating around his high school, he sets off to not only reverse the damage Taylor has caused, but also save his lifelong role model from becoming a casualty of America’s deadly opioid epidemic.

Sarah Parrish of Dover-Sherborn High School Reviews “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula

| Written by Sarah Parrish, Dover, Massachusetts |

Meet Sarah Parrish

Sarah is a senior at Dover-Sherborn High School where she is captain of the Alpine Ski Team and the Track and Field Team. She is also a member of her school’s Peer Helping Club and Community Service club. Throughout the summer, Sarah works as a counselor at a local summer camp and also as a server at the Chatham Filling station. With a passion for leadership and athletics, she enjoys ski instructing at Burke Mountain and coaching field hockey for Dover-Sherborn Youth Field Hockey. She also enjoys her participation in the Senior High Youth Group at Pilgrim Church where she volunteers around her community. In her freetime, she enjoys boating, skiing, running and traveling. 

After reading Montgomery Lake High #1: The Right Person by Stacy A. Padula, Sarah Parrish was interviewed about her thoughts on the characters, story, and plot.

  1. Who do you recommend this book to?

I would recommend this book to anyone soon to be entering high school or anyone currently in high school. This book shows the reality of what teenagers encounter in high school and could prevent them from experiencing it themselves. Furthermore, I would recommend this book to any parent who has kids in high school to be more knowledgeable and what their children may go through. 

  1. What can be learned from Chris and Courtney’s story?

From Chris and Courntey’s relationship, we can learn that it is important to surround ourselves with people who make up better. For example, when Courtney was dating Brian she was the girl who went to church regularly and had pure morals. Then, when she began dating Chris, she started caring more about her appearance and went to church less. Therefore we can learn that bad company corrupts good morals. 

  1. What did you enjoy most about The Right Person?

I enjoyed learning more about Courtney in The Right Person. Throughout the Gripped series, I was always curious about her because she was not thoroughly introduced until the end of the series. It was very interesting to hear somewhat the same story, told from different perspectives.

  1. What is one major theme you noticed running through the story?

A major theme throughout the story is loyalty. With so much drama going on and friendships beginning and ending it is important to choose who you surround yourself with wisely. Some characters in the story are very loyal whereas others we are not so sure about. This story shows that even some of the longest friendships such as Chantal and Cathy (sisters) are compromised. 

  1. How do you, as a teenager, personally relate to this story?

I am a senior in high school and I do not personally relate to this story a lot, mostly because people at my school and my friends are not involved with drugs the way that some of the characters in the book are. However, the friendship and relationships piece of the story, I believe is relatable to anyone who has gone through highschool or is yet to go through high school.

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

Bella Gill reviews “Montgomery Lake High #1” by Stacy A. Padula

| Written by Bella Gill, Pembroke, Massachusetts |

Meet Bella Gill

Bella is a junior at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Massachusetts.  She is a midfielder for the South Shore Select 2006 Girls Academy Soccer Team and is headed to the National Finals in St. Louis this summer.  She is also a midfielder for the Pembroke High School Girls Varsity soccer team.  Additionally, Bella is the vice-president of her class, a member of the Pembroke High School Yearbook staff and assistant coaches a U10 girls soccer team. Bella enjoys traveling with her family and friends, skiing, reading, babysitting, and working in the local office of a gastroenterologist. Bella’s favorite subjects include English, History, and Model UN.  She hopes to study abroad in Europe in college. 

The novel, The Right Person written by Stacy Padula is a wonderful book for high school and college students to read. It portrays the hardships and struggles of relationships throughout teenage years while simultaneously explaining how the desire to fit in can be both toxic and negative. The teenagers are always put in a position of choosing whether or not they want to drink, party, etc, and the majority of the time their friends’ decisions and attitudes influence what they end up doing. The main timeline in the story is between characters Courtney Angeletti and Chris Dunkin. Courtney starts off with a wonderful reputation, while Chris is known as a crazy partier. Once they become a couple they start to switch roles and morals. Chris realizes his parties are ruining his life and motivation, while Courtney cannot see past her new popularity status. God and religion eventually motivates these teens to get back on the right path. Teens should definitely read this 5 star book because it is easily relatable and provides a variety of important life lessons. 

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

“Gripped” Recommended as a Relatable Read for Pre-teens & Young Adults – by Maeve Shortt

About Maeve Shortt

Maeve is a junior at St. John Paul II High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and a school retreat leader. She is a captain of her school’s varsity field hockey team, plays on the varsity lacrosse team, and is a player on the Cape Cod Field Hockey club team. Additionally, she was elected as a Cape-Cod All Star this past season. She is also a Climate Change Ambassador for the Cape Cod Commission. In the spring, Maeve will be attending the Mountain School of Milton Academy in Vershire, VT as a one-semester program. She hopes to study business and finance in the future.

As a junior in high school, I would recommend “Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told” by Stacy Padula to any pre-teen – young adult. For a young teen reader, the story is entertaining and relatable, but the struggles faced by the characters could be helpful for anybody who has or is currently struggling with addiction. I also believe that the characters could be enjoyed by any age, and there is something for everyone to relate to in the novel. “Gripped Part 1″ is particularly appealing to those in middle/high school because that is where the majority of the storyline in Part 1 is focused. 

As a young adult, I relate to the story in a variety of ways. Being a junior in high school, I see substance abuse commonly and I see many people who unfortunately fall victim to it. It is less customary for me to see people experimenting with the more intense substances that had been mentioned in the book, but the effect it has on loved ones is still similar. I also find a resemblance between my middle school drama and the drama that takes place in Cathy, Chantal, Jason, Jon, Lisa, and Chris’ life. I have had similar experiences with gossip and crushes, especially at that age. 

The message that this book sends to young readers is the solemnity of the situation that “experimenting” typically results in. At the young ages of the main characters, everything may seem harmless and fun, but that perception is quickly changed when it fast-forwards back to Taylor’s current state and situation. The lesson that I also took away from “Gripped Part 1” was that the gossiping and drama that takes place during your teenage years really does not mean anything, and as Jason said, it is more important to be quote-on-quote “self-centered” and worry about your own problems rather than focusing on others’ drama. 

What I liked best about the story was being able to see how Jason and Cathy’s relationship had initially blossomed, and having the opportunity to compare it to the present. It was very interesting to be able to see their “young love”, as you might call it, begin when they were only in seventh grade. It left me in suspense for Part 2, when it will hopefully be revealed what happened between the two of them to cause so much animosity. I am definitely most curious to uncover what had happened between Jason and Cathy to cause them to have drifted so much. I also am excited to find out the effect that their relationship held on Cathy and Chantals relationship, and if Jason is really to blame like he says he is. By reading “Gripped part 2”, I also am anxiously awaiting to hear what happened between Marc and Taylor after Marc’s meeting at Boston College.

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

In high school, Taylor Dunkin broke more records than any other athlete to step foot in Montgomery, Massachusetts. As a sophomore in college, he was ranked by ESPN as one of the NFL’s top 100 prospects. However, his aspirations came to a jarring halt when a season-ending injury sent him spiraling into a dark world of pain, depression, and addiction.

One year later, Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential investigation headed by the Boston Police Department. He has entangled himself in a crime ring notorious for pushing drugs on local college campuses. Montgomery’s hometown hero has fallen hard, and he’s taking a lot of people down with him.

Luke Davids has become the middleman between Taylor and teens in Montgomery who want to buy drugs. Freshmen Cathy Kagelli, Chris Dunkin, and Jason Davids are just a few of the students at Montgomery Lake High who have fallen victim to the benzos and opiates supplied by Taylor and Luke. 

When Taylor’s youngest brother Marc discovers that Taylor is behind the copious amount of pills circulating around his high school, he sets off to not only reverse the damage Taylor has caused, but also save his lifelong role model from becoming a casualty of America’s deadly opioid epidemic.

Teen Novel “The Right Person” Shows the Importance of Having Faith – by Timmy Weiss

Written by Timmy Weiss, Weston, MA

Timmy Weiss is a senior at St. Sebastian’s high school.  He is a varsity tennis and varsity soccer player, as well as a part of MPA (men with positive attitudes), the newspaper named The Walrus, and the peer mentoring club. He enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and going to sports games. Soon he hopes to study communications in college. 

As a senior in high school, I would recommend Montgomery Lake High #1: The Right Person by Stacy A. Padula to middle-school-aged kids.  The book is designed to prepare kids for when they enter high school, so it would be very fitting for middle schoolers to read this book before they get there.  Although other ages would benefit and enjoy this book, this age group would benefit the most from reading this.  The second most important audience would be high schoolers, as they could relate from themselves or friends and further learn how to help others through certain problems like drugs and alcohol abuse.  Lastly, parents of young teens should look to read this book so they are aware of the risky behaviors teenagers can get themselves into and so that they can make precautions and talk to their children to prevent these dangerous behaviors.

As a teenager, I related to this story, knowing many people who get involved in many of these bad behaviors at a young age.  I know it is very prominent in high school for kids to try drugs and use alcohol, not just every once in a while, but to the point where it becomes a real problem.  It affects their relationships with people and God negatively.  I also understand how many people peer pressure others into doing stuff that they normally wouldn’t, which is why we have to be careful in who we choose to be our friends, or in when we need to help them rather than listen to them.  These behaviors will eventually lead to even worse things especially if people don’t realize they have a problem and don’t receive help from people close to them or God.  What may seem like an innocent fun time can lead to serious problems and a disconnect in our faith lives.

What I enjoyed most about The Right Person was the constant drama surrounding every storyline.  Each character had a unique relationship with one another that made conflict prominent, but also authentic.  I didn’t need to question whether it made sense for a character to be mad at another person because each character’s motives and nature were expressed through dialogue and actions clearly.  This is what made the drama more thrilling to read as I wanted to see if each character would have a change in heart and if they would make a change I wanted them to.  Although the answer was normally no, it built up the drama to further levels, so that if someone finally had a change of heart it was even more satisfying. I also loved how some of these kids had long bible quotes memorized in their heads at such a young age, as it showed a great commitment to faith.

One major theme in the story is faith life.  When things get difficult and struggles are at an all time high the best person to look to is God.  We learn this especially through Courtney who was at her lowest, giving into peer pressure trying things she never would have even considered just a few months ago.  She learns after her break up how far she’s from her best nature that God wants and she turns to him, knowing he’ll help.  We also learn this well at the end of the story from John.  He grew up Catholic and went to church all of the time, so he knows very well the power of God.  Over the last year his relationship with God has almost completely fallen apart, but he realizes at the end of the book, how badly he needs him and how bad his actions and habits are now.  He wants to change and only God can guide him through that change.  

The main lesson I took away from Chris and Courtney’s story is that God brings us down the paths we are meant to go and that path will eventually show itself, even when we don’t expect it.  I say this because Chris and Courtney dated for a couple months for opposite reasons.  Chris to help himself get away from bad behaviors through a good influence on Courtney and Courtney to gain some popularity for herself entering a new high school scene.  Their conflicting motives eventually drove them away from each other and made them realize they needed to break apart.  However, in that break up they grew together, as Courtney realized how far she’d fallen off from her faith life and Chris learned how impactful faith can be on someone’s life.  Faith is what he was so attracted to in Courtney and at the end of the book Chris goes to church believing in all God has to offer.  On the other hand, Courtney has regained her realization of what is important in life, after being so blinded by the chaotic scene of entering high school.  God solved their problems and although Courtney and Chris didn’t work together, they experienced tremendous growth from their relationship.

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

Maya Daly of Duxbury High School Recommends “The Right Person” by Stacy Padula as an Essential Read for All

Written by Maya Daly, Duxbury, Massachusetts

Maya is a senior at Duxbury High School, where she is a member of the Varsity Rowing Team. In school, she is a part of the yearbook club, Best Buddies club, and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys studying English and history, and plans to major in one of those subjects in college. 

Montgomery Lake High “The Right Person” by Stacy Padula emphasizes the highly influential nature of peer pressure, and in turn, the lasting consequences that those who are influenced can face. 

Entering high school is both a transformative and influential time in one’s life, which makes young teens highly susceptible to peer pressure and going against their own moral compasses in an effort to fit in. This story centers around this idea, following a group of teens as they enter into high school, now having more access to parties and what goes on at parties. As the story progresses, we see Chris, the stereotypical “party animal” look introspectively at his ways, and consequentially turn towards sobriety. However, at the same time, we see his new girlfriend, Courtney, who has a strong moral compass and has always had a close connection with religion, begin to question her ways and dabble more in the party scene. 

This story takes readers on a journey filled with drama and plot twists, painting the important picture of how becoming involved with drugs and alcohol is never a small decision. This book is an essential read for all and any teens, as it not only allows them to learn from the characters mistakes, but also prepares them for the ins and outs of high school.

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

Sarah Parrish of Dover-Sherborn High School Reviews “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula

| Written by Sarah Parrish, Dover, Massachusetts |

Meet Sarah Parrish

Sarah is a senior at Dover-Sherborn High School where she is captain of the Alpine Ski Team and the Track and Field Team. She is also a member of her school’s Peer Helping Club and Community Service club. Throughout the summer, Sarah works as a counselor at a local summer camp and also as a server at the Chatham Filling station. With a passion for leadership and athletics, she enjoys ski instructing at Burke Mountain and coaching field hockey for Dover-Sherborn Youth Field Hockey. She also enjoys her participation in the Senior High Youth Group at Pilgrim Church where she volunteers around her community. In her freetime, she enjoys boating, skiing, running and traveling. 

The Right Person by Stacy Padula gives a thorough glimpse into what it is like to be a highschool freshman. The readers practically live in the shoes of the students and get to know each of the characters very well. Whether you are a middle schooler, high schooler, or adult everyone can learn a valuable message from reading this book. 

In particular, I recommend this book to those who are entering highschool because it has very important messages about partying, relationships and friendship that are important to become acquainted with before experiencing it for yourself. The drama in the book reveals the difficulties of highschool and how important it is to surround yourself with others who have good morals and strong work ethics. I also enjoyed that it focuses on religion and how a good relationship with God is important. Hopefully, this story encourages some to get involved with a church for those who are not already. 

Overall, this story is very captivating and interesting to all. I also enjoy that it is quick to read because we do not get caught up in the small details but rather come to learn all the characters very well, instead of just a few! I definitely recommend it!

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

Timmy Weiss of St. Sebastian’s School Reviews “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula

Written by Timmy Weiss, Weston, MA

Timmy Weiss is a senior at St. Sebastian’s high school.  He is a varsity tennis and varsity soccer player, as well as a part of MPA (men with positive attitudes), the newspaper named The Walrus, and the peer mentoring club. He enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and going to sports games. Soon he hopes to study communications in college. 

As a group of teenagers enter 9th grade, they quickly realize the alarming amount of drama, peer pressure, popularity, and moral dilemmas they will encounter in their high school years.  These seemingly innocent teenage behaviors can soon lead to big problems in these teens’ lives, especially in their relationship with God.  The Right Person, by Stacy Padula, perfectly highlights these obstacles teens face as they enter the stressful scene of Montgomery Lake High and how good kids can be led astray from their morals so easily.

The story mainly focuses on Chris Dunkin:  a hard partier but talented football player, who was introduced to drugs and alcohol at a very young age.  Chris suddenly realizes the damage of his ways and starts an arduous journey to remain sober as much as he can.  His realization branches from meeting a beautiful and kind-hearted girl named Courtney, whose morals inspire Chris.  After they start dating, Courtney suddenly has a change of heart and begins to chase after all the things Chris wants to delete from his life: parties, popularity, and peer pressure behaviors.  Their opposite paths lead to conflict and a tougher journey for Chris.

The book accompanies many high school characters who resemble the behaviors and personalities of those in a real world setting.  Therefore, this book is critical for students in middle school or high school in order to prepare them for the dangerous behaviors teenagers get themselves into that can have devastating effects on their lives.  It also reminds us that God will be with us in our toughest times and when in doubt we should always look to him for guidance.

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

An Interview with Bella Gill on “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula

| Written by Bella Gill, Pembroke, Massachusetts |

Meet Bella Gill

Bella is a junior at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Massachusetts.  She is a midfielder for the South Shore Select 2006 Girls Academy Soccer Team and is headed to the National Finals in St. Louis this summer.  She is also a midfielder for the Pembroke High School Girls Varsity soccer team.  Additionally, Bella is the vice-president of her class, a member of the Pembroke High School Yearbook staff and assistant coaches a U10 girls soccer team. Bella enjoys traveling with her family and friends, skiing, reading, babysitting, and working in the local office of a gastroenterologist. Bella’s favorite subjects include English, History, and Model UN.  She hopes to study abroad in Europe in college. 

After reading Montgomery Lake High #1: The Right Person by Stacy A. Padula, Bella was asked to share her honest opinion on the story and its characters.

  1. Who do you recommend this book to?
    • I would recommend this book to teenagers and young adults. I think middle school and elementary age students are too young since the book discucsses a lot of partying, drugs, drinking, etc. 
  2. What can be learned from Chris and Courtney’s story?
    • Chris and Courtney’s story can teach others that if you are honest with yourself and stick to your own personal morals, you will be able to form positive relationships and be most successful in life. If you stray away from who you truly are, it will be difficult to maintain happiness. 
  3. What did you enjoy most about The Right Person?
    • I enjoyed how the book represents the challenges of high school and correctly depicts dangerous party situations where teens face peer pressure and awkward interactions. It shows how teenagers feel a pressure to be “cool” and how sometimes this attitude can cause you to lose friends who care about you. All of the teen’s problems and scenarios are easily relatable to modern high school and college students. 
  4. What is one major theme you noticed running through the story?
    • I saw the theme of friendship constantly occurring throughout the book. Whether it was new bonds or friendships lost, the teenagers have a great influence on one another’s decision making. Courtney becoming friends with Cathy forced her to move farther away from her morals and participate in some things she might never have done before. Contrasting this, Marielle and Chantal form a strong bond that is positive for both of them. 
  1. How do you, as a teenager, personally relate to this story?
    • I can personally relate to this story because as a high school student the peer pressure to party, drink , and participate in other unsafe activities is always around me. Weekends of partying are prominent in high school culture and it is difficult for teens to say no to their friends. I can also relate to the teens when it comes down to the people that they hangout with are the people who influence my decisions and opinions the most. It is necessary to form bonds with people who have similar morals and want to achieve the same types of things in life.

Synopsis

Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti–the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter–he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle. Courtney, however, has other ideas.

The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his addiction?

“Gripped 1” by Stacy Padula: A Captivating & Suspenseful Read for Teens – by Maeve Shortt

About Maeve Shortt

Maeve is a junior at St. John Paul II High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and a school retreat leader. She is a captain of her school’s varsity field hockey team, plays on the varsity lacrosse team, and is a player on the Cape Cod Field Hockey club team. Additionally, she was elected as a Cape-Cod All Star this past season. She is also a Climate Change Ambassador for the Cape Cod Commission. In the spring, Maeve will be attending the Mountain School of Milton Academy in Vershire, VT as a one-semester program. She hopes to study business and finance in the future.

The novel “Gripped Part 1 – The Truth We Never Told” by Stacy Padula has a truly captivating plot that leaves readers in suspense while awaiting their read of Part 2. It gives the reader a firsthand glance into the life of an addict, as well as the long-term effect that it holds on the friends and family of that individual. What is unique about Gripped Part 1, is it allows you to see the “beforehand” of addiction, as well as the aftermath. When it all seemed like it was harmless fun, and the worst that could happen was the loss of a football scholarship. Although playing at Notre Dame is certainly a privilege that many would not take for granted, losing that is nothing compared to the mess Taylor Dunkin has tangled himself up in. 

Gripped Part 1 is not only moving for those who know somebody who has struggled with addiction or struggled themselves, it also contains many relatable aspects for any curious reader. Middle and high school students have all dealt with crushes, drama, gossip, and more. This book has real-life experiences that will not only enthrall teenagers and young adults, but make this an enjoyable read they will not forget. The storyline concerning the love lives of these kids is heartwarming and genuine, but only for the moment. Stacy A Padula’s novel truly shows us that no relationship is “black and white”, and there is always more than what appears at the surface. Gripped Part 1 offers authentic insight and important life-lessons for any age, while also managing to be a pleasant read.

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

In high school, Taylor Dunkin broke more records than any other athlete to step foot in Montgomery, Massachusetts. As a sophomore in college, he was ranked by ESPN as one of the NFL’s top 100 prospects. However, his aspirations came to a jarring halt when a season-ending injury sent him spiraling into a dark world of pain, depression, and addiction.

One year later, Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential investigation headed by the Boston Police Department. He has entangled himself in a crime ring notorious for pushing drugs on local college campuses. Montgomery’s hometown hero has fallen hard, and he’s taking a lot of people down with him.

Luke Davids has become the middleman between Taylor and teens in Montgomery who want to buy drugs. Freshmen Cathy Kagelli, Chris Dunkin, and Jason Davids are just a few of the students at Montgomery Lake High who have fallen victim to the benzos and opiates supplied by Taylor and Luke. 

When Taylor’s youngest brother Marc discovers that Taylor is behind the copious amount of pills circulating around his high school, he sets off to not only reverse the damage Taylor has caused, but also save his lifelong role model from becoming a casualty of America’s deadly opioid epidemic.

Award-winning Crime Novel “Gripped 5: Taylor’s Story” Inspires Teen Readers – by Deidre Mitchell

Written by Deirdre Mitchell, Villanova, PA

Meet Deirdre Mitchell

Deirdre is a junior in high school and attends the Academy of Notre Dame in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Deirdre enjoys dancing, traveling, and being with friends and family. One of Deirdre’s favorite places to travel was London. At school, Deirdre is a part of the dance company, environmental club, and campus ministry. Deirdre also runs her own non-profit organization, called Community Dress Shop, where she collects prom dresses and gives them to girls who would normally not be able to afford one.

Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story written by Stacy Padula is the latest book of the Gripped series, which is a detailed account about the life experiences of a group of high school and college students. The series addresses the group’s social dynamics, relationships, academic and athletic pressures, and the consequences of substance abuse. Gripped Part 5 focuses on Taylor Dunkin’s challenges to stay clean while terminating his connection with a local drug ring. Initially, Taylor’s involvement with the drug ring was unintentional. Following a football injury, Taylor became addicted to pain meds. This led to a series of poor decisions, resulting in Taylor becoming a drug dealer within the community he loved. Taylor is determined to get his life back together and agrees to help law enforcement. However, his desire to break free is dangerous not only for him, but also for his family and friends as they become intertwined within the complexities of organized crime.  

As the action unfolds, the reader witnesses not only Taylor’s personal revelations, but also his revelations about the people closest to him, especially his family. Taylor recognizes that during his disappointments and dark days he did not trust God, and by distancing himself from his faith, he lost his way. He contrasts himself with his brother Jordan whom, in the past, he had attributed to being less intense and less competitive than himself. Yet, Jordan is living out Taylor’s dream by playing football at Notre Dame. In the end, Taylor admits that Jordan had a stronger faith and better ability to handle stress than he did.

Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story teaches readers the life altering effects of substance abuse and exposes them to the reality that taking and selling drugs are serious crimes. It also shows how our decisions can negatively impact others. In addition, Gripped Part 5 encourages young adults to have faith in God and His plan when faced with obstacles and disapprovements. I rate this book a 5/5 because it addresses topics that many young adults do not realize have irreversible consequences, while offering a better and healthier path.

Synopsis

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

Taylor Dunkin is missing.
The last message Jordan Dunkin receives from Taylor leads him to Taylor’s abandoned Jeep. Each of Taylor’s family members holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the Dunkins begin putting the details together, they are awakened to the possibility they may never see Taylor again.

No one can find Missy Kent.
Missy’s boyfriend Luke Davids last saw her dancing with their friends at a nightclub, but she hasn’t responded to anyone’s texts or calls for hours.

Everything is connected.
Taylor and Missy’s friends are dangerously close to learning the truth, but their ignorance might be the only thing keeping them safe. Every clue is leading them closer to peril.

The fifth book in the Gripped series moves through details at a thrilling pace. Secrets are revealed and lives are at stake. Taylor, Missy, their friends, and their families must figure out who they can trust before it’s too late.

Why “Taylor’s Story” Belongs on High School & College Reading Lists – by Bella Gill

| Written by Bella Gill, Pembroke, Massachusetts |

Meet Bella Gill

Bella is a junior at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Massachusetts.  She is a midfielder for the South Shore Select 2006 Girls Academy Soccer Team and is headed to the National Finals in St. Louis this summer.  She is also a midfielder for the Pembroke High School Girls Varsity soccer team.  Additionally, Bella is the vice-president of her class, a member of the Pembroke High School Yearbook staff and assistant coaches a U10 girls soccer team. Bella enjoys traveling with her family and friends, skiing, reading, babysitting, and working in the local office of a gastroenterologist. Bella’s favorite subjects include English, History, and Model UN.  She hopes to study abroad in Europe in college. 

During high school and college, teens are most likely going to be offered substances or be put in a position where they are surrounded by these substances. Throughout Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story by Stacy Padula, this same thing happens to a variety of the characters, who go through the same feelings and actions as real life teenagers do today. I would recommend this book to high school and college students because the plotline revolves around substance and alcohol abuse. This age group relates to the story the most because the majority of teenagers are most likely to be faced with exposure to drugs throughout parties, events, etc. Secondly, if teenagers read this novel, they will be able to learn very valuable lessons and understand the true consequences that can follow drug abuse. They are made well-aware of how drugs can corrupt your life and why you should overall distance yourself from them all. 

One of the most important messages that Gripped 5: Taylor’s Story sends out to readers is even if you are not the one consuming the drugs, selling drugs, or giving them to others, they can still cause massive amounts of harm to your life. Secondly, drugs should not be used in social scenes to make yourself seem cool or allow yourself to have fun. Substances do not bring positives to someone’s lifestyle. A final message that this book sends out to readers is you can still turn your life around if you struggle with addiction or have bad relationships with selling or consuming drugs.

My favorite part of this book is the neverending suspense and mystery that is presented. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns and all of the new plotlines and conflicts kept me wanting to read. I also liked how some characters knew specific information, while others did not.

At this point in the series Jordan is my favorite character. He has changed so much since high school and I appreciate his good and strong morals and character. In Gripped 6, I am most curious to find out how Taylor remains safe and alive even with all of the people chasing after him. I am very excited to read about what happens to him and how much he will work with the FBI to shut down Bilotti’s crime. I am looking forward to finding out if Paul’s men hunt down Taylor and his family or allow them to continue on peacefully with their lives. 

Synopsis

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

Taylor Dunkin is missing.
The last message Jordan Dunkin receives from Taylor leads him to Taylor’s abandoned Jeep. Each of Taylor’s family members holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the Dunkins begin putting the details together, they are awakened to the possibility they may never see Taylor again.No one can find Missy Kent.
Missy’s boyfriend Luke Davids last saw her dancing with their friends at a nightclub, but she hasn’t responded to anyone’s texts or calls for hours.

Everything is connected.
Taylor and Missy’s friends are dangerously close to learning the truth, but their ignorance might be the only thing keeping them safe. Every clue is leading them closer to peril.

The fifth book in the Gripped series moves through details at a thrilling pace. Secrets are revealed and lives are at stake. Taylor, Missy, their friends, and their families must figure out who they can trust before it’s too late.

The Gripped Characters: Q&A with Deidre Mitchell on “Taylor’s Story”

Written by Deirdre Mitchell, Villanova, PA

Meet Deirdre Mitchell

Deirdre is a junior in high school and attends the Academy of Notre Dame in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Deirdre enjoys dancing, traveling, and being with friends and family. One of Deirdre’s favorite places to travel was London. At school, Deirdre is a part of the dance company, environmental club, and campus ministry. Deirdre also runs her own non-profit organization, called Community Dress Shop, where she collects prom dresses and gives them to girls who would normally not be able to afford one.

After reading Gripped Parts 1-5, Deidre was asked to share her honest thoughts on some of the main characters and plot points in the series.

Q. How has your opinion of the following characters evolved over the course of the series?

Taylor

At first, I thought Taylor was selfish because I believed he was not trying to get better. As I read more, I realized that he is trying to get better and find help, it is just hard for him to do. 

Jordan

At first, I thought Jordan did not care about anything other than parties. But as the story goes on, Jordan turns his views around and turns towards his faith in God. 

Marc

I have always liked Marc because he seemed like the most responsible of the Dunkin brothers. I am excited to see where his relationship with Cathy goes. 

Missy

I do not have the best opinion on Missy. I do not agree with how she gave Luke the impression that he needs to be a partier for them to be together. Missy should like Luke for who he actually is. 

Luke

My opinion on Luke has changed greatly since he was first introduced. I always thought that Luke was Jason’s drug addict older brother. But, he showed his true colors in this book. 

Laurelle

I got to see a lot of Laurelle’s personality in this book. I thought she was such a fun character because she seemed easy going. I cannot wait to see more of her in Gripped 6. 

Q. What do you hope happens to…

Taylor

I hope Taylor can persevere and help end the crime/drug ring. I also hope he shares his story with other teenagers, educating them on how damaging and addicting drugs can be. 

Cathy & Chantal

I hope they continue working on their relationship, and it becomes stronger than ever. 

Cathy & Jason

Although I really like Marc, I hope that Cathy and Jason can gain closure and remain friends. 

Luke & Missy

I want Luke to be true to himself and gain self-confidence. In the end, I want to believe that Missy’s feelings for Luke are sincere and that she likes him regardless of him being more of an introvert.

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

Since no one knew that Pat, Laurelle, Missy, and Luke went to the hotel and were followed there by members of the Billotti crime ring, I am curious to find out how they may help or unknowingly cause some problems for themselves and for Taylor. Of course, I am also very curious to see if Taylor comes out of this safely. 

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

My favorite part of the book was the scene where Taylor was held at gunpoint. I liked it because it was very suspenseful and kept me wanting to turn the page. My favorite character is Jordan because I liked the way he opened up about his new relationship with God.

Synopsis

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

Taylor Dunkin is missing.
The last message Jordan Dunkin receives from Taylor leads him to Taylor’s abandoned Jeep. Each of Taylor’s family members holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the Dunkins begin putting the details together, they are awakened to the possibility they may never see Taylor again.

No one can find Missy Kent.
Missy’s boyfriend Luke Davids last saw her dancing with their friends at a nightclub, but she hasn’t responded to anyone’s texts or calls for hours.

Everything is connected.
Taylor and Missy’s friends are dangerously close to learning the truth, but their ignorance might be the only thing keeping them safe. Every clue is leading them closer to peril.

The fifth book in the Gripped series moves through details at a thrilling pace. Secrets are revealed and lives are at stake. Taylor, Missy, their friends, and their families must figure out who they can trust before it’s too late.

Why Stacy Padula’s Gripped Series is so Enjoyable for Teens – by Sarah Parrish

| Written by Sarah Parrish, Dover, Massachusetts |

Meet Sarah Parrish

Sarah is a senior at Dover-Sherborn High School where she is captain of the Alpine Ski Team and the Track and Field Team. She is also a member of her school’s Peer Helping Club and Community Service club. Throughout the summer, Sarah works as a counselor at a local summer camp and also as a server at the Chatham Filling station. With a passion for leadership and athletics, she enjoys ski instructing at Burke Mountain and coaching field hockey for Dover-Sherborn Youth Field Hockey. She also enjoys her participation in the Senior High Youth Group at Pilgrim Church where she volunteers around her community. In her freetime, she enjoys boating, skiing, running and traveling. 

After reading all 5 books in the Gripped series by Stacy A. Padula, I have realized that I mostly enjoy the fast-paced and suspenseful plot. Each book has a very action-packed plot that keeps the readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. I especially enjoy that each book has several different storylines that eventually all connect at the end of the series. This especially makes it an enjoyable read because it builds suspense about what will happen next. 

Furthermore, I enjoy that Gripped has very diverse and well-developed characters. Throughout the series, we get to know each character very well and either admire or despise them for different reasons. The book features many complex and well-rounded characters with their own motivations and challenges. These aspects make the characters very relatable and interesting to the readers. 

Stacy Padula’s writing style also makes Gripped an enjoyable read. Her style is quick and easy to follow. Rarely, do we get caught up in little details but instead, get right to the point. This writing style never bores the readers and especially keeps us engaged throughout all 5 books. 

Lastly, I especially enjoyed the Gripped book series because it focuses on very relevant themes that are both interesting and relatable to the readers. These themes include drug abuse, friendship, loyalty, and overcoming adversity. These themes are engaging because they are relevant to many readers’ lives. This makes middle schoolers, teenagers, and parents more inclined to read in order to better understand the realities of middle school and high school.

Synopsis

The Gold Winner for “Best Teen Book” in the 2022 Readers’ Choice Book Awards

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

In high school, Taylor Dunkin broke more records than any other athlete to step foot in Montgomery, Massachusetts. As a sophomore in college, he was ranked by ESPN as one of the NFL’s top 100 prospects. However, his aspirations came to a jarring halt when a season-ending injury sent him spiraling into a dark world of pain, depression, and addiction.

One year later, Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential investigation headed by the Boston Police Department. He has entangled himself in a crime ring notorious for pushing drugs on local college campuses. Montgomery’s hometown hero has fallen hard, and he’s taking a lot of people down with him.

Luke Davids has become the middleman between Taylor and teens in Montgomery who want to buy drugs. Freshmen Cathy Kagelli, Chris Dunkin, and Jason Davids are just a few of the students at Montgomery Lake High who have fallen victim to the benzos and opiates supplied by Taylor and Luke. 

When Taylor’s youngest brother Marc discovers that Taylor is behind the copious amount of pills circulating around his high school, he sets off to not only reverse the damage Taylor has caused, but also save his lifelong role model from becoming a casualty of America’s deadly opioid epidemic.

The Gripped Characters: Q&A with Bella Gill on “Taylor’s Story”

| Written by Bella Gill, Pembroke, Massachusetts |

Meet Bella Gill

Bella is a junior at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Massachusetts.  She is a midfielder for the South Shore Select 2006 Girls Academy Soccer Team and is headed to the National Finals in St. Louis this summer.  She is also a midfielder for the Pembroke High School Girls Varsity soccer team.  Additionally, Bella is the vice-president of her class, a member of the Pembroke High School Yearbook staff and assistant coaches a U10 girls soccer team. Bella enjoys traveling with her family and friends, skiing, reading, babysitting, and working in the local office of a gastroenterologist. Bella’s favorite subjects include English, History, and Model UN.  She hopes to study abroad in Europe in college. 

After reading Gripped Parts 1-5, Bella Gill was asked to share her honest opinion of some of the series’ main characters.

Q. What do you hope happens to….

Taylor
I hope that Taylor helps to bring down the crime ring, while keeping himself safe. I hope that he can completely distance himself away from drugs and continue his college career academically and athletically. 

Cathy & Chantal
I hope that the sisters completely repair their relationship and go back to being best friends. I believe this will help Cathy’s depression and improve both of their health and mental states. 

Cathy & Jason
I think that Cathy and Jason should not be together due to the risks of unhealthy and addictive behaviors with drugs. Both of them are not in the right headspace to be with one another and I think it will bring nothing but harm. 

Luke & Missy
I am kind of distraught about my feelings surrounding this relationship. Although it may be fun and joyful for them, I think this relationship is difficult since Missy loves to party and Luke prefers to stay away from substances, but has dealt with them in the past.

Q. How has your opinion of the characters evolved overtime?

Taylor
My opinion on Taylor has not changed. I am still hoping he can pull his life together and stay away from drugs all together. 

Jordan
My opinion on Jordan has completely changed in that he is now one of my favorite characters and at the start of the series I disliked him because of how irresponsible and risky he was. He has become a mature and caring person, and I enjoy reading about him. 

Marc
I used to really like Marc because I believed he was one of the more mature and passionate characters, but now I think he needs to resolve his issue with Jordan. It is annoying that he will not let go of this anger and fix things with his brother. 

Missy
I have never really had that much of an opinion over Missy. I just dislike her relationship with Luke and how she uses him for drugs so she can party. 

Luke
I am starting to like Luke more now since he has realized the negative effect that selling drugs to his friends has had on everyone. Since he has recognized his wrong doings, he has become a more appealing character. 

Synopsis

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

Taylor Dunkin is missing.
The last message Jordan Dunkin receives from Taylor leads him to Taylor’s abandoned Jeep. Each of Taylor’s family members holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the Dunkins begin putting the details together, they are awakened to the possibility they may never see Taylor again.No one can find Missy Kent.
Missy’s boyfriend Luke Davids last saw her dancing with their friends at a nightclub, but she hasn’t responded to anyone’s texts or calls for hours.

Everything is connected.
Taylor and Missy’s friends are dangerously close to learning the truth, but their ignorance might be the only thing keeping them safe. Every clue is leading them closer to peril.

The fifth book in the Gripped series moves through details at a thrilling pace. Secrets are revealed and lives are at stake. Taylor, Missy, their friends, and their families must figure out who they can trust before it’s too late.

Thrilling Y.A. Novel Sends Timely Messages to Teen Readers – by Deidre Mitchell

Written by Deirdre Mitchell, Villanova, PA

Meet Deirdre Mitchell

Deirdre is a junior in high school and attends the Academy of Notre Dame in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Deirdre enjoys dancing, traveling, and being with friends and family. One of Deirdre’s favorite places to travel was London. At school, Deirdre is a part of the dance company, environmental club, and campus ministry. Deirdre also runs her own non-profit organization, called Community Dress Shop, where she collects prom dresses and gives them to girls who would normally not be able to afford one.

Gripped 5: Taylor’s Story by Stacy Padula is full of suspense, thrills, and important lessons for teen readers. First, it sends the message to teens to be their true self. We see this through Luke, who felt like he had to pretend to be a big party boy so that Missy would stay with him. In the end, Luke became exhausted and was unhappy. He wasn’t behaving in a way that he was proud of and realized that if he could not be comfortable with being himself, then he and Missy were not a good match. A second message is to trust in God. For example, when Taylor lost his admission to Notre Dame and then became injured, he did not turn his suffering over to God and trust in Him. A third important message was to not overly stress over situations. Taylor always believed Jordan was not that goal-oriented and that he did not try as hard. Taylor believed that things came easily to Jordan. In the end, Taylor realized that Jordan just handles stress better and had a healthier perspective.

I would recommend this book to all teens, especially high school aged. Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story describes different scenarios where kids that start using drugs for any reason end up having bad things happen. The reader gets to experience the loss of friendships, family trust, and dreams destroyed. Through the different characters teens get to learn why the short term “thrill” of using a drug is not worth the damage it can cause and that using drugs is not worth the risks. I also feel that the topics covered are relevant to teenagers because there is a lot of focus and attention in getting into college. The readers can see how their behaviors and decisions have a long-term impact on their lives. Also, relationships are extremely important for teens and Gripped Part 5 shows how drugs damage both family bonds and friendships. 

Synopsis

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

Taylor Dunkin is missing.
The last message Jordan Dunkin receives from Taylor leads him to Taylor’s abandoned Jeep. Each of Taylor’s family members holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the Dunkins begin putting the details together, they are awakened to the possibility they may never see Taylor again.

No one can find Missy Kent.
Missy’s boyfriend Luke Davids last saw her dancing with their friends at a nightclub, but she hasn’t responded to anyone’s texts or calls for hours.

Everything is connected.
Taylor and Missy’s friends are dangerously close to learning the truth, but their ignorance might be the only thing keeping them safe. Every clue is leading them closer to peril.

The fifth book in the Gripped series moves through details at a thrilling pace. Secrets are revealed and lives are at stake. Taylor, Missy, their friends, and their families must figure out who they can trust before it’s too late.

A Teenage Take on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters – by Sarah Parrish

| Written by Sarah Parrish, Dover, Massachusetts |

Meet Sarah Parrish

Sarah is a senior at Dover-Sherborn High School where she is captain of the Alpine Ski Team and the Track and Field Team. She is also a member of her school’s Peer Helping Club and Community Service club. Throughout the summer, Sarah works as a counselor at a local summer camp and also as a server at the Chatham Filling station. With a passion for leadership and athletics, she enjoys ski instructing at Burke Mountain and coaching field hockey for Dover-Sherborn Youth Field Hockey. She also enjoys her participation in the Senior High Youth Group at Pilgrim Church where she volunteers around her community. In her freetime, she enjoys boating, skiing, running and traveling. 

After reading Gripped Parts 1 through 5, Sarah was asked to share her honest thoughts on the characters.

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

I liked hearing about Pat and Laurelle in this book because I thought their relationship was very interesting. They seem to love each other, however they both hookup and go on dates with other people and somehow do not get upset and jealous of each other. It is very surprising to me that they are able to make this work between each other, and I wonder where their relationship will go in the future. At this point in the story, my favorite character is Cathy but I also liked Luke in this book a lot, too.

What do you hope happens to:

  1. Taylor – I hope that Taylor is able to escape from the police and reunite with his family. 
  2. Cathy & Chantal – I hope that Cathy and Chantal are able to move past their struggles and forgive each other for all their hatred, because after all, Cathy didn’t mean to hurt her and they are sisters. 
  3. Cathy & Jason – I hope that Cathy and Jason do not continue their relationship and that Cathy will be happy with Marc. Although I initially liked them, their relationship was toxic and not healthy for either of them.
  4. Luke & Missy – I hope that Luke and Missy do not stay together because I don’t think that Luke is good for her. I think Missy has the potential to be great but Luke involves her with things that are not good for her. For example, if Luke were a better boyfriend she may not have gone missing at the club. 

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: My opinion on Taylor has remained mostly consistent through the series. Although I wish he had just gone home to his family instead of going to the club to try and make a little extra money before. However, he may have still been in this situation because of the police.
  2. Jordan: My opinion of Jordan has remained mostly consistent too, however, I like him more now. At the beginning of the series he was portrayed as a partier and never got as much recognition as Taylor. Now, I realize that he works just as hard and deserves the spotlight. 
  3. Marc: I have always liked Marc; at first I thought he was the younger brother who was not as cool as the older two, but now I think that he will have a very successful football career. I feel badly for him because of everything he has gone through with Taylor and his falling out with Jordan, but I think he is good for Cathy and I hope he succeeds at BC.
  4. Missy: I think that Missy is a fun character but has more potential. She doesn’t have a very strong backbone, and I think this holds her back. 
  5. Luke: Before Gripped 5, I did not think that Luke was a very good influence, but in this book I realized that he is a good person and doesn’t mean harm. However, I wish that he would stop dealing drugs. 
  6. Laurelle: I got to know Laurelle better in the book and I think that she is a good person; however, I don’t understand how she can be in a relationship with Pat. I think they would be great if they could commit to each other.

Synopsis

Taylor’s Story won the Silver Award in the 2022 Readers’ Choice Book Awards for Best Teen Book

Now being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman!

Taylor Dunkin is missing.

The last message Jordan Dunkin receives from Taylor leads him to Taylor’s abandoned Jeep. Each of Taylor’s family members holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the Dunkins begin putting the details together, they are awakened to the possibility they may never see Taylor again.

No one can find Missy Kent.

Missy’s boyfriend Luke Davids last saw her dancing with their friends at a nightclub, but she hasn’t responded to anyone’s texts or calls for hours.

Everything is connected.

Taylor and Missy’s friends are dangerously close to learning the truth, but their ignorance might be the only thing keeping them safe. Every clue is leading them closer to peril.

The fifth book in the Gripped series moves through details at a thrilling pace. Secrets are revealed and lives are at stake. Taylor, Missy, their friends, and their families must figure out who they can trust before it’s too late.