Written by Caroline Markley of Marshfield, Massachusetts Caroline Markley, Marshfield, Massachusetts As a senior in high school, I recommend the young adult novel Gripped by Stacy A. Padula to my friends and classmates. This book is about teenagers in high school, and it talks about what they are going through—socially, personally, and emotionally—so it isContinue reading "Why “Gripped” is a Must Read for Every High School Student"

Written by Olivia Syat, Sharon, Massachusetts Olivia Syat At the beginning of the Gripped book series, my opinions of multiple characters were different from what they are now because the story told in parts 1 and 2 sheds light on past experiences, providing the reader with greater insight into the characters' rationales, motivations, and backgrounds.Continue reading "Olivia Syat Breaks Down the Characters and Relationships in “Gripped 2”"

Written by Joanna Dakoyannis, Dover, MA Joanna Dakoyannis, Dover, MA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided is a must read for teens in middle school and high school. It is an easy read with a story that keeps you eagerly turning the page. In following the lives of the characters, Blindsided demonstrates how damaging peer pressure can beContinue reading "New Young Adult Book Shows the Damaging Effects of Peer Pressure"

Written by Jenna Finnerty, Durham, NH Jenna Finnerty, UNH Class of 2023 Gripped Part 3: The Fallout by Stacy A. Padula shows the effects that drugs have on the characters' lives and the ways pills, such as opiates and benzos, can change someone's personality, as well as their relationships with other people. Hopefully by readingContinue reading "New Teen Novel Helps Kids Make Smart Decisions in the Face of Peer Pressure"

Written by Olivia Syat, Sharon, Massachusetts I strongly believe Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula should be read by young adults in middle school and high school. The novel depicts the harsh reality of how drugs can alter one's life completely. Rather than glorifying the party lifestyle of teens, it draws awareness to theContinue reading "“Blindsided” Sheds Light on Teen Experiences Often Hidden Behind Closed Doors"

Written by Olivia Syat of Sharon, Massachusetts The second book in the Amazon best-selling Gripped book series, Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula, put me in a trance. After indulging in the first chapter, my eyes were unable to be removed from the pages. Moving from present day of all the characters to theContinue reading "New Fiction Series Helps Teens Overcome Rough Patches"

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 withContinue reading "“Blindsided” Takes an Uncensored Look at Teen Substance Abuse & Its Effects on Relationships"

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 andContinue reading "New Young Adult Book Takes a Startling Look at Mounting Social Pressures Amongst Teens"

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.

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 aboutContinue reading "Gripped Book Series Sheds Light on Montgomery Lake High’s Main Characters"

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 toContinue reading "Relatable Characters Make “Gripped” a Must Read for High School Students"

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 charactersContinue reading "New Teen Fiction Book Teaches the Importance of Healthy Relationships"

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.

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.

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. GrippedContinue reading "New Young Adult Book Addresses the Stigma Surrounding Drugs, Alcohol, & Teenagers"

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 theContinue reading "New Fiction Book Series Takes a Compelling Look at Teenage Substance Abuse in Massachusetts"

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 toContinue reading "The People Behind the Gripped Book Series"