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”
Tag Archives: gripped book series
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”
Isabelle Semas on Gripped 3: The Fallout’s Main Characters
Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts Chris Dunkin’s Journey Chris’s story teaches readers that people can change. He tries to pull his life together and stop making bad decisions. Hopefully, readers will also learn from Chris’s journey about how much of an impact those you choose to be friends with has on you. Chris must distance himself fromContinueContinue reading “Isabelle Semas on Gripped 3: The Fallout’s Main Characters”
“Gripped” Relationships: Bryan Sartelli & Courtney Angeletti
We continue our character illustrations with Bryan Sartelli and Courtney Angeletti. These two have been sweethearts since 7th grade, aside from the 2 months in 9th grade when Courtney decided she wanted a taste of a rebellious life by dating then “life of the party” Chris Dunkin. Courtney dating Chris was anything but easy onContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Bryan Sartelli & Courtney Angeletti”
The Flashbacks Kept Me Gripped – “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors”
Michael Farinacci By Michael Farinacci, University of Notre Dame In Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula, I loved the multiple, intertwining storylines. It seemed as if every time a question was answered, at least two more questions arose due. The book also contained lots of action and different scenes, which made it aContinueContinue reading “The Flashbacks Kept Me Gripped – “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors””
New Y.A. Book Prepares Teens to Boldy Face Temptations Prevalent in High School
Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts While “Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy A. Padula could be an engaging book for many readers, I believe it would be most intriguing to teens and young adults. For high-schoolers in particular, the themes and topics are relatable and relevant. For any teens faced with the difficulties ofContinueContinue reading “New Y.A. Book Prepares Teens to Boldy Face Temptations Prevalent in High School”
The Mystery & Crime in Stacy Padula’s New Y.A. Thriller “Smoke & Mirrors” is Captivating Teen Readers
By Jennifer O’Sullivan, Boston College Jennifer O’Sullivan As an avid reader, I love mystery and crime in any book, so I am extremely curious to see what ends up happening in Stacy Padula’s upcoming Gripped Part 5 concerning Taylor Dunkin and his involvement in the drug and crime ring. At the end of Gripped PartContinueContinue reading “The Mystery & Crime in Stacy Padula’s New Y.A. Thriller “Smoke & Mirrors” is Captivating Teen Readers”
Providence College Freshman Joanna Dakoyannis Discusses “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors”
Joanna Dakoyannis By Joanna Dakoyannis—Providence College Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy A. Padula delves into the lives of some of the older, college-aged characters in the series. Although the previous books have mentioned them, there is more insight on Taylor, Jordan, Michelle, Missy, and some of their other friends. The focus on different charactersContinueContinue reading “Providence College Freshman Joanna Dakoyannis Discusses “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors””
