July’s Q&A with Joanna Dakoyannis on The Aftermath by Stacy Padula

Who could benefit from reading this book and why? This book is mainly directed toward teens and the challenges that they encounter in high school, socially and spiritually, but it could certainly be beneficial to any young adult. While teens face these issues in high school, young adults might face the same difficulties as theyContinueContinue reading “July’s Q&A with Joanna Dakoyannis on The Aftermath by Stacy Padula”

Rebecca Ronning on the Compelling Characters in “Gripped Part 2: Blindsided”

How has your opinion of Taylor changed from the beginning of the series until the end of book 2? In the beginning of the series, it was much easier to see Taylor as somewhat of a failure. We lacked an in depth perspective from him in the beginning, and really only heard of him throughContinueContinue reading “Rebecca Ronning on the Compelling Characters in “Gripped Part 2: Blindsided””

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 lifeContinueContinue reading “A YA Book for Teens in Need of Inspiration”

An Editorial Review of Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula

Written by Elizabeth Harvey of Emerson College Gripped Part 2 is the second book in the Gripped series and continues to expand on the themes of teenage drug and alcohol use in the context of the various character’s personal lives and relationships with one another. Taylor Dunkin has gotten himself involved in not just takingContinueContinue reading “An Editorial Review of Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula”

“The Aftermath” is an Encouraging Book for Teens

Written by Joanna Dakoyannis of Dover-Sherborn High School The Aftermath, by Stacy Padula, is an exceptional book that continues to follow the lives and challenges of a group of teens at Montgomery Lake High.  The teens embody many different lifestyles, challenging each other to find their voice against the many vices that high school socialContinueContinue reading ““The Aftermath” is an Encouraging Book for Teens”

Rebecca Ronning on the Controversial Content in “Gripped Part 2” by Stacy Padula

The drug use and sexual content in this book will surely get it banned from schools, but the topics are too relevant in teenage culture to be ignored. Why do you think this book should be read by kids in middle school and high school?

Order a Book, Help Save a Dog’s Life!

Purchase Gripped Part 2: Blindsided this month, and 50% of the proceeds will go to saving dogs from kill shelters, restoring them to health, and placing them in loving homes through the remarkable efforts of Last Hope K9 Rescue—a Boston-based non-profit that saves dogs from high-kill shelters throughout the Unites States. To date, Last Hope K9 Rescue hasContinueContinue reading “Order a Book, Help Save a Dog’s Life!”

Order a Book, Help Save a Dog’s Life!

We will be donating 50% of July’s proceeds from Gripped Part 2: Blindsided to a Boston-based rescue that saves dogs from high-kill shelters throughout the Unites States. The cause is near and dear to our hearts because Baxter is a rescue, after all! To date, Last Hope K9 Rescue has saved the lives of over 7,600 dogs!

Kyle Banker Reviews “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula – A Young Adult Novel

High school consists of the four most transformative years of your life, both academically and socially. The introductions of parties, substances, peer pressure, and popularity can completely change one’s personality and mindset. In “The Right Person,” Stacy Padula tells the story of a group of freshmen at Montgomery Lake High as they encounter and face countless social scenarios that change their lifestyles for the long run.

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.

Looking Ahead to Gripped Part 2 with Michael Farinacci

Last month, Michael Farinacci of Medfield, Massachusetts—a junior at St. Sebastian’s School—read and reviewed Gripped Part 1 by Stacy Padula: the first installment in a young adult book series that highlights the perils of prescription drug abuse. Before beginning to read Gripped Part 2, Michael answered a couple questions about what he was most looking forward to uncovering in the next installment.

Rebecca Ronning of Brooklyn Tech Reviews Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told

Gripped Part 1 by Stacy Padula tells the gripping story of a star student athlete who let a mere setback turn into a major addiction. It exemplifies the importance of understanding that nobody is safe from drug abuse, not even the classic golden child, and expresses the unfortunately realistic young ages at which this abuse starts.

Joanna Dakoyannis Reviews “When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy Padula

The second book in the MLH series, When Darkness Tries to Hide, is a riveting story that continues to follow a group of high school teens through their lives. When a tragedy strikes their group of friends, it causes many of them to take a step back and re-evaluate their recent actions and behaviors. The story demonstrates how impactful our actions, both good and bad can be on others around us.

May’s Q&A with Kyle Banker of Beaver Country Day School

Kyle Banker of Needham, Massachusetts is a senior at Beaver Country Day School. He will be attending the University of Miami in the fall as a biology major. This month, Kyle read “The Right Person” – a young adult novel by Stacy Padula – and shared some insightful feedback.

May’s Q&A with Michael Farinacci of St. Sebastian’s School

Michael Farinacci, a junior at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Massachusetts, read and reviewed Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told—the first book in a young adult series that examines the perils of prescription drug abuse amongst teenagers. After reading the novel, he was asked a series of questions about its main characters. His responses are below.

Michael Farinacci Reviews Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told

The book Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told investigates the complicated social lives of young adults ranging from middle-school to college. The story follows numerous people throughout their lives outside of school and demonstrates how difficult decision can be for young adults, and the consequences that these decisions have. The book deals with drug abuse, relationships, and the effects of miscommunication as it follows the lives of the children from Montgomery Lake, while brilliantly setting up the rest of the series.

“Gripped ” is A Must-Read for Teens Who Want to Know The Truth About Street Drugs

We caught up with Rebecca Ronning, a junior at Brooklyn Technical High School in Brooklyn, New York, to ask her some questions about the first book in the Gripped book series by Stacy Padula. Rebecca was just chosen as the book series’ Intern of the Month for May of 2019!

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.

May’s Q&A with Joanna Dakoyannis of Dover Sherborn High School

Although this book would be most relevant to teenagers and the struggles they might face in high school, I would recommend this book to anyone who feels that they are struggling with something. Teens and adults alike who are trying to find themselves or answers to their place in life would benefit from reading When Darkness Tries to Hide because it would help them look at their situation from a faith based perspective. This book shows that regardless of how terrible you think your actions or situation may be, there is always hope and the ability to change.