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”
Tag Archives: gripped book 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”
College Freshman Recommends Young Adult Book to Parents of Teenagers
Joanna Dakoyannis By Joanna Dakoyannis, Providence College I recommend Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula to any teen or even parents of teens. Teens who read this book will be able to relate to familiar social situations that they are faced with in high school and college. Similarly, parents who read the Gripped bookContinueContinue reading “College Freshman Recommends Young Adult Book to Parents of Teenagers”
Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA In the fourth installment of Stacy Padula’s Gripped Book series, the stakes are higher as Taylor Dunkin struggles to save himself and protect the ones he loves. He never knew that a slippery slope could cause him to fall into such a pit of despair. As he tries to pullContinueContinue reading “Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula”
Megan Farinacci Reviews “The Truth We Never Told”
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MAThe book Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is an eye opening novel that touches on the important issue of drug abuse among teens. Taylor Dunkin, a former all-star athlete at Montgomery High and quarterback for Northeastern’s football team, struggles with a painkiller addiction. Ultimately,ContinueContinue reading “Megan Farinacci Reviews “The Truth We Never Told””
Weymouth High School Senior Recommends This Y.A. Book to Teens Across America
Written by John Savage, Weymouth, Massachusetts As a senior in high school, I relate to Stacy Padula’s novel Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told. To an extent, I have seen what drugs can do to people and athletes, specifically. I also know and understand the ins-and-outs of what it’s like to be inContinueContinue reading “Weymouth High School Senior Recommends This Y.A. Book to Teens Across America”
The Highly Intriguing Book Teens Won’t Want to Put Down
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA Intrigued. That’s the best word to describe how I felt as I read Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 3: The Fallout.” Honestly, I was intrigued by the increasing police interventions, both at the teenagers’ parties and in Taylor Dunkin’s case as it progresses. The very real likelihood of the law catching upContinueContinue reading “The Highly Intriguing Book Teens Won’t Want to Put Down”
Debut Novel of Y.A. Book Series Addresses the Pressures & Temptations Plaguing Today’s Teenagers
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA As a young adult reading Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told, I related to the constant pressure of society. Peer pressure is an issue that almost all young adults face, and it can be extremely harmful to the development of teenagers. As shown in Stacy Padula’s novel,ContinueContinue reading “Debut Novel of Y.A. Book Series Addresses the Pressures & Temptations Plaguing Today’s Teenagers”
“Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” Opens Parents Eyes to Pressures Commonly Faced in High School & College
By Jennifer O’Sullivan, Dover, Massachusetts & Boston College As someone who recently graduated high school, I definitely feel like relevant teenage topics are covered in Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors,” because I saw people end up in situations very similar to the ones mentioned in this book. From complicated relationships and friendships toContinueContinue reading ““Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” Opens Parents Eyes to Pressures Commonly Faced in High School & College”
UNH Sophomore Jenna Finnerty’s Thoughts on the “Gripped” Characters
By Jenna Finnerty, University of New Hampshire Stacy Padula & Jenna Finnerty In Stacy Padula’s latest novel, “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors,” I really liked how there were a bunch of different storylines that made me want to learn what was going to happen next. The different stories kept me focused, because there were soContinueContinue reading “UNH Sophomore Jenna Finnerty’s Thoughts on the “Gripped” Characters”
Here’s Why Parents of Teens Need to Read The Gripped Book Series
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA “Gripped 3: The Fallout” by Stacy Padula touches upon the use of Adderall, acid, marijuana, alcohol, and Xanax. For that reason, parents may not want their children to read the novel. However, the author feels there is much to be learned. Even more than the past two books, “Gripped Part 3” demonstratesContinueContinue reading “Here’s Why Parents of Teens Need to Read The Gripped Book Series”
UNH Sophomore Recommends “Smoke & Mirrors” to Parents of Teenagers
By Jenna Finnerty, University of New Hampshire I recommend “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula to teens and parents for a multitude of reasons. First of all, I think teens should read it because it gives good insight into what people deal with once they get wrapped up in drugs. Second, I thinkContinueContinue reading “UNH Sophomore Recommends “Smoke & Mirrors” to Parents of Teenagers”
Dynamic Characters Take Y.A. Readers by Surprise in Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 2: Blindsided”
Mackenzie Wells By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA At the very beginning of the first book in Stacy Padula’s best-selling young adult series, Gripped, the reader gains a glimpse of where Taylor Dunkin ends up. Without any understanding of who he was before or how he wound up in his current predicament, it was easy toContinueContinue reading “Dynamic Characters Take Y.A. Readers by Surprise in Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 2: Blindsided””
Boston College Freshman Jennifer O’Sullivan Shares Her Thoughts on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters
By Jennifer O’Sullivan, Boston College Jennifer O’Sullivan As a teenager, I love the casual writing style of Stacy Padula’s Gripped book series because it makes me feel connected to the characters and their stories. I can actually imagine myself right there with the characters, which makes it much more realistic and relatable. Additionally, I getContinueContinue reading “Boston College Freshman Jennifer O’Sullivan Shares Her Thoughts on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters”
The Benefits of Reading Uncensored Y.A. Novels like “Gripped 2: Blindsided”
Mackenzie Wells By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA Most books or T.V. series with a target audience of young teenagers pull back from showing the complete picture of teenage drug use and sexual activity. However, living life without knowing the complete picture and without an understanding of the repercussions can lead to very dangerous decisions. LifeContinueContinue reading “The Benefits of Reading Uncensored Y.A. Novels like “Gripped 2: Blindsided””
Gripped 4: The Drama, Mystery, & Uncertainty Kept Me Captivated from Cover to Cover
Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts The drama and mystery of “Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy A. Padula was engaging. The uncertainty of Taylor Dunkin’s plot mixed with the tension of Jason Davids’ and Cathy Kagelli’s storyline had me captivated from cover to cover. I also enjoyed how this book delved moreContinueContinue reading “Gripped 4: The Drama, Mystery, & Uncertainty Kept Me Captivated from Cover to Cover”
