Tag Archives: Jennifer o’sullivan

“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 toContinue reading ““Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” Opens Parents Eyes to Pressures Commonly Faced in High School & College”

Boston College Freshman Jennifer O’Sullivan Shares Her Thoughts on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters

By Jennifer O’Sullivan, Boston College 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 get the sameContinue reading “Boston College Freshman Jennifer O’Sullivan Shares Her Thoughts on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters”

The Mystery & Crime in Stacy Padula’s New Y.A. Thriller “Smoke & Mirrors” is Captivating Teen Readers

By Jennifer O’Sullivan, Boston College 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 Part 4, weContinue reading “The Mystery & Crime in Stacy Padula’s New Y.A. Thriller “Smoke & Mirrors” is Captivating Teen Readers”

Jennifer O’Sullivan Recommends “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula

By Jennifer O’Sullivan, Dover, Massachusetts & Boston College I would highly recommend Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula to any young adults in middle or high school because of the great lessons it can teach to impressionable kids, but also parents whose children may be about to enter this life stage. This bookContinue reading “Jennifer O’Sullivan Recommends “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula”

New Young Adult Novel Accurately Represents the Hardships Commonly Faced by Teenagers

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula, is yet another book in the Gripped series that accurately represents the hardships faced by many teenagers. This book also shows how substance use that starts for fun or for experimentation can turn into a dangerous habit that changes every aspect of a person’s life.

The Good & The Bad: Gripped’s Protagonist Taylor Dunkin

Article by Jennifer O’Sullivan, Dover, Massachusetts In Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told, by Stacy A. Padula, Taylor Dunkin plays a major role. In the novel, I found the storyline about him and the Boston police department to be the most interesting. To me, Taylor seemed like a really nice, smart, athletic, andContinue reading “The Good & The Bad: Gripped’s Protagonist Taylor Dunkin”

A Look at Cathy, Jon, and Chantal in Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told

Article by Jennifer O’Sullivan, Dover, Massachusetts In Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told, the characters are compelling and easy to relate to. In Stacy A. Padula’s other book series, Montgomery Lake High, Cathy Kagelli is portrayed as a toxic girl who is rude, coldhearted and manipulative. Gripped Part 1 flashes back to Cathy’sContinue reading “A Look at Cathy, Jon, and Chantal in Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told”

A Book Series All Teens Should Start Reading

Article by Jennifer O’Sullivan, Dover, Massachusetts I would recommend Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula to young adults, especially those who are in high school or are part of a friend group that likes to party with substances involved. I think that this book really shows how easy itContinue reading “A Book Series All Teens Should Start Reading”

Breaking Down the Spiritual Battle in “The Forces Within”

The Forces Within, the 5th book in Stacy Padula’s Montgomery Lake High series, tells a story of how Satan can enter the lives of people who are not strong in their faith and ruin friendships with the people who matter most. I think that people who feel jealous or scared in their lives should read this book, because it reveals reasons as to why this might be happening.

Jennifer O’Sullivan on Jason Davids, Protagonist of “The Aftermath”

Article by Jennifer O’Sullivan of Dover-Sherborn High School Jason Davids is a character that has always sparked my interest; he’s smart, funny, confident, good-looking, well-loved and wealthy, yet he always found his life to be empty and sad, and turned to drugs as an escape. His hostile attitude intrigued me, because he seemed to beContinue reading “Jennifer O’Sullivan on Jason Davids, Protagonist of “The Aftermath””

The Most Surprising Thing About “The Battle for Innocence”

In June, Jennifer O’Sullivan of Dover-Sherborn High School read The Battle for Innocence by Stacy Padula. Below, she shares her opinion on what took her by surprise in the novel, which flashes back to two years prior to the other Montgomery Lake High books. The Battle for Innocence is the 4th book in the MLHContinue reading “The Most Surprising Thing About “The Battle for Innocence””

A YA Book for Teens in Need of Inspiration

Written by Jennifer O’Sullivan of Dover-Sherborn Regional High School The Aftermath by Stacy Padula is a book that I would recommend to anyone who is lost or struggling and needs some inspiration. This book follows the journey of high school freshman Jason Davids, who is struggling to overcome his drug dependency and steer his lifeContinue reading “A YA Book for Teens in Need of Inspiration”

Jennifer O’Sullivan: There’s an Important Message for Teens in “When Darkness Tries to Hide”

When Darkness Tries to Hide by Stacy A. Padula not only shows the positive message that its protagonist, Jason Davids, was able to learn through faith and friendship, but also shows that even in tragedies, we must search for the positive things.

Jennifer O’Sullivan of Dover-Sherborn High School on “When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy Padula

When Darkness Tries To Hide, is another book by author Stacy Padula that aims to help teenagers navigate the trials and tribulations of high school. I think that all types of teenagers would benefit from reading this book. Although this book is based on faith and how it can help people escape the painful clutches of addiction, teenagers who are both struggling with addiction or suspect that a friend may be struggling would benefit from the book.

“The Right Person” by Stacy Padula Shows How Faith Can Benefit Teenagers

Throughout The Right Person by Stacy Padula, loyalty and faith were common themes in many scenarios. Several characters had certain desires but knew that they had to stay loyal to a person or to a commitment. Additionally, God being a place of strength became increasingly apparent as the story advanced.