By Joanna Dakoyannis, Providence College Gripped 4: Smoke and Mirrors by Stacy Padula is the fascinating continuation of the story centered around a group of teens from Montgomery Lake High School. They are influenced by older siblings and peers who are involved in drug and alcohol use. Taylor, the older sibling of Marc and JordanContinueContinue reading “New Y.A. Book Shows Effects of Modern High School Peer Pressure”
Tag Archives: gripped book series
Xaverian Brothers Senior Reviews Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 2: Blindsided”
By Joe Siracusa—Braintree, Massachusetts Joseph Siracusa, Xaverian Brothers High School Class of 2021 The novel Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula portrays the damaged relationships of many characters as a result of drug and alcohol abuse. When Taylor, the older brother of Marc and Jordan, begins to attempt recovering from addiction, he hasContinueContinue reading “Xaverian Brothers Senior Reviews Stacy Padula’s “Gripped 2: Blindsided””
Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 2: Blindsided” by Stacy Padula
By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula is a cautionary tale for young adults, but it is also a humanizing story of those who have fallen into bad habits. Eighth graders Chris Dunkin, Cathy Kagelli, and Jason Davids are an integral part of their clique in their community, and areContinueContinue reading “Mackenzie Wells Reviews “Gripped 2: Blindsided” by Stacy Padula”
Young Adult Book Teaches Teens the Importance of Choosing Relationships Wisely
Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts “Gripped Part 2: Blindsided” by Stacy A. Padula unveils the raw truth behind prescription and recreational drug addiction. These topics—though uncomfortable to speak about with young teens—are far too prevalent in our society to be ignored. The Gripped series portrays exactly how this process takes place through an engaging storyline. ByContinueContinue reading “Young Adult Book Teaches Teens the Importance of Choosing Relationships Wisely”
“Gripped” Relationships: Missy Kent & Luke Davids
We continue our character relationship series with Missy Kent and Luke Davids. Luke becomes acquainted with Missy by hanging out with his older brother Matt’s grade in high school. Missy’s childlike enthusiasm for life and outgoing nature make her someone a lot of guys find attractive, and her free-spirited approach makes her quite hard toContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Missy Kent & Luke Davids”
An Enjoyable & Informative Way For Teens to Learn about the Dangers of Drug Abuse
By Joe Siracusa—Braintree, Massachusetts Joseph Siracusa, Xaverian Brothers High School Class of 2021 As seen in “Gripped Part 2: Blindsided” by Stacy A. Padula, drug use and sexual intercourse are very present in high school culture. Reading this book as a senior in high school is a very enjoyable and informative way to learn aboutContinueContinue reading “An Enjoyable & Informative Way For Teens to Learn about the Dangers of Drug Abuse”
“Gripped” Relationships: Alyssa Kelly & Chantal Kagelli
We continue our character relationship series with best friends Alyssa Kelly & Chantal Kagelli. Alyssa and Chantal became best friends in 7th grade and stayed close until a giant misunderstanding tore them apart for a year and a half. After the truth was revealed, the two were able to pick up where they left offContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Alyssa Kelly & Chantal Kagelli”
“Gripped” Relationships: Lisa Ankerman & Cathy Kagelli
Our character relationship series continues today with best friends Lisa Ankerman and Cathy Kagelli, who have stayed tried and true by each other’s side throughout the Gripped and the Montgomery Lake High book series. Lisa is fiercely loyal to the people she loves and Cathy is no exception. During Cathy’s lowest points in her tumultuousContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Lisa Ankerman & Cathy Kagelli”
“Gripped” Relationships: Marc Dunkin & Cathy Kagelli
Our character relationship series continues with Marc Dunkin and Cathy Kagelli. In the MLH books, we quickly see Marc swooping in on Cathy after her and Jason’s breakup. Prior to that, we see a few instances of Marc attempting to encourage Cathy and Jason to stay clear of each other, but we don’t get toContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Marc Dunkin & Cathy Kagelli”
“Gripped” Relationships: Chris Dunkin & Lisa Ankerman
Today, we continue our character relationship series with Chris Dunkin and Lisa Ankerman. There is certainly some unfinished business between these two. They dated for over a year but broke up for reasons better explained in Gripped 2. Lisa is perhaps the person Chris has loved most in life—if not his best friend Jason @jds_onContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Chris Dunkin & Lisa Ankerman”
“Gripped” Relationships: Luke, Matt, & Jason Davids
We continue our character relationship series with Luke, Matt, and Jason Davids. Matt, the oldest, has his work cut out for him when it comes to looking out for his younger brothers. He frequently takes on the role of a mentor to Jason, whose emotions often cloud his judgement. To Luke, Matt is a trueContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Luke, Matt, & Jason Davids”
“Gripped” Relationships: Chantal Kagelli & Andy Rosetti
We continue our character relationship series with Andy Rosetti and Chantal Kagelli. Their relationship is shown the most in “The Forces Within” but it plays an important role in both the Gripped and MLH series. Andy is ultimately the guy who came along and supported Chantal after Jon “broke her heart” (which was actually aContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Chantal Kagelli & Andy Rosetti”
“Gripped” Relationships: Jordan, Taylor, & Marc Dunkin
Our character relationship series continues with Jordan, Taylor, and Marc Dunkin. At age 20, Jordan is making the most of his opportunities at Notre Dame both on and off the field. At age 23, Taylor is in a predicament no one saw coming he’s in the fight of his life—not just to get back onContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Jordan, Taylor, & Marc Dunkin”
“Gripped” Relationships: Jason Davids & Cathy Kagelli
We begin our character relationship series with Cathy Kagelli and Jason Davids. Their relationship is central to the Gripped and the MLH books in many ways. They are each other’s greatest advocate and greatest weakness. Their relationship is strong but tumultuous. Their connection is visceral. Jason met Cathy when she was a shy and sociallyContinueContinue reading ““Gripped” Relationships: Jason Davids & Cathy Kagelli”
Isabelle Semas on The “Gripped” Characters
Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life. She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in herContinueContinue reading “Isabelle Semas on The “Gripped” Characters”
An Interview with Isabelle Semas on “The Truth We Never Told”
Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life. She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in herContinueContinue reading “An Interview with Isabelle Semas on “The Truth We Never Told””
A Y.A. Book Series That Is Brutally Honest
Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life. She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in herContinueContinue reading “A Y.A. Book Series That Is Brutally Honest”
An Interview with Marshfield High School Senior Abby Fusco on Gripped 3: The Fallout
Abby Fusco is a senior at Marshfield High School. She has always enjoyed painting her dog, Teddy—a King Charles Cavalier. Her paintings made perfect gifts for her mother, and this inspired her to begin painting pet portraits for her friends and family. She founded A.R.F. Pet Portraits in 2020, where people can order paintings of their belovedContinueContinue reading “An Interview with Marshfield High School Senior Abby Fusco on Gripped 3: The Fallout”
An Interview with Oliver Ames Senior Emily Han on Gripped 3: The Fallout
Emily Han is a junior at Oliver Ames High School in Easton, Massachusetts. She is the captain of her varsity field hockey team and a leader on her club team, Lead The Way. She is a member of National Honor Society and a founder of the PAWS Club and an active member of the Jimmy Fund Club. HerContinueContinue reading “An Interview with Oliver Ames Senior Emily Han on Gripped 3: The Fallout”
An Interview with UGA’s Mackenzie Wells on Gripped 1: The Truth We Never Told
Mackenzie is a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in English and public relations. She is a leader at the Wesley Foundation at UGA, the community outreach coordinator for UGA’s Undergraduate English Association, and a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Mackenzie has always had a passionate love for books andContinueContinue reading “An Interview with UGA’s Mackenzie Wells on Gripped 1: The Truth We Never Told”
