Stacy Padula’s Gripped book series for young adults covers controversial topics such as substance abuse, which may deter some hesitant parents and schools from recommending the books to teens. While Gripped Part 3: The Fallout exposes readers to Adderall, acid, marijuana, alcohol, and Xanax, the author’s intention is to educate tweens and teens on drug and alcohol abuse. The novel focuses not on the use of drugs, but how the use of drugs negatively impacts relationships, family dynamics, and athletic and school performance. After reading the novel, it is clear that the message behind the stories told is not only about drug use, but connects to a bigger social issue of how we can stop this cycle in teenage society.
Tag Archives: Stacy Padula
Y.A. Fiction Novel Teaches Valuable Lessons in an Entertaining Way
Written by Kate Peterson, Hingham, MA The young adult book Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is a great read. It teaches many valuable lessons, ranging from friendship to drug addiction. Through the experiences of one of the main characters, it addresses the epidemic of opioids to teenagers in aContinueContinue reading “Y.A. Fiction Novel Teaches Valuable Lessons in an Entertaining Way”
‘Gripped’ Series Addresses Social Issues Relevant to Today’s Teen Culture
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA I really enjoyed Stacy Padula’s book, Gripped Part 3: The Fallout. The novel starts off in the present day and jumps back eight months, then comes full circle, ending in the present day. As a reader you are able to see the character development throughout the book. As manyContinueContinue reading “‘Gripped’ Series Addresses Social Issues Relevant to Today’s Teen Culture”
Y.A. Fiction Novel Sends Important Message to Teen Readers
Written by Kate Peterson, Hingham, MA I recommend Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula to middle school and high school students. They are the perfect age for this book because it relates so well to teenagers’ everyday lives. The characters are in their age group and going through tricky experiencesContinueContinue reading “Y.A. Fiction Novel Sends Important Message to Teen Readers”
Megan Farinacci On ‘Gripped Part 2: Blindsided’
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula puts drug abuse into the perspective of young adults, even reaching a middle school aged audience. The book focuses heavily on the younger characters who will soon be attending high school. Although the topics covered in this book are not what manyContinueContinue reading “Megan Farinacci On ‘Gripped Part 2: Blindsided’”
Gripped 2: Blindsided – A School Book Or Not?
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts The drug use and sexual content in Gripped 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula will likely get it banned from schools, but the topics are too relevant in teenage culture to be ignored. This book should be read by kids in middle school and high school to teach themContinueContinue reading “Gripped 2: Blindsided – A School Book Or Not?”
Y.A. Fiction Novel Addresses Crucial Issues For Teenagers
Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula was extremely eye opening. It is crucial for these issues to be addressed in a novel for young adults. In this novel, we see how even middle schoolers are affected by drugs and alcohol. This sequel focuses on fourteen year old ChrisContinueContinue reading “Y.A. Fiction Novel Addresses Crucial Issues For Teenagers”
Gripped 2: Blindsided – Not Just A Teen Read
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts The book Gripped, Part Two: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula is an intriguing story that allows young adult readers to learn about the severity of drug use and the possible impacts it can have on peoples’ lives. It gives readers an in-depth view into the lives of manyContinueContinue reading “Gripped 2: Blindsided – Not Just A Teen Read”
[Video] NBA Coach Brett Gunning & Stacy Padula’s “On The Right Path” Endorsed by Pastor Joel Osteen, Kevin McHale, & Mike D’Antoni
A Teenage Take on the Gripped Series’ Characters
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts In the first book in Stacy Padula’s Gripped series, the reader meets a large cast of characters whom any teenager would easily relate to and empathize with. As a teen myself, I most closely relate to Jason Davids because he seems to try to see all perspectives whenContinueContinue reading “A Teenage Take on the Gripped Series’ Characters”
Charlie Hallal Reviews Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told
Written by Charlie Hallal – Hingham, Massachusetts The book Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is an incredibly entertaining story that never fails to keep readers entertained and engaged. The many interesting characters that appear in the story demonstrate both how important it is to be conscious about how yourContinueContinue reading “Charlie Hallal Reviews Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told”
Hingham High School Junior Shares Why Teens Should Be Reading The Gripped Series
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”
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””
