The Alliance

by Sarah Anne Sumpolec

Beka heads back to school with a newfound faith, but that faith is tested sooner than she expected. As she spends time with the eclectic theater group, she is pulled further into her friendship with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802464521
• ISBN13: 9780802464521
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 13 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

An honest look at faith conflicts

Author Sarah Anne Sumpolec offers her readers a brief refresher on lively high school protagonist Beka Madison's recent conversion to Christianity, and how facing familiar faces and situations might be more challenging than she had hoped. While life at home has settled considerably since Beka "came clean" about her years of masquerading as a Christian when she wasn't, life at school continues to have its run-ins and wrinkles with certain classmates. Former friend Gretchen, now the popular "it" girl, suddenly decides to offer Beka the warm hand of friendship again. But Beka is wary. She knows firsthand how dangerous Gretchen can be once Gretchen turns on a person. The problem is that Beka isn't courageous enough to nix the whole "we're friends again" scene as she secretly enjoys being "popular." As Beka begins to develop her relationship with Christ, her eyes are opened to a variety of formerly unrecognized issues. She starts asking herself the difficult questions: Is she ready to do what is right even though it means committing social suicide? Is she prepared to give up "sure things" and trust that God will provide for her needs? Does she have the courage to stand up for principles and people that are being compromised and attacked? No simple answers arrive in neatly wrapped packages via special delivery for Beka. Still, she makes huge leaps of faith through small but significant daily choices. When Gretchen invites Beka into a Wicca group, Beka senses the inner warning that she shouldn't participate. When boy "friend" Mark attempts to meet with Beka against his parents' wishes, she confronts him on his dishonesty. Even after her budding friendship with fellow believer Lori is threatened, Beka finds enough gumption to make amends and start over. Beka's re-entry into her high school after Christmas break is most definitely a tumultuous one. And yet, Beka's sure and steady growth is heartwarming and encouraging. Though her dad remains the ever-concerned father and insists that Beka get counseling to help her through the ongoing grief of her mother's death, Sumpolec does a neat job of letting readers see how simply sharing hurts and struggles is healing in itself. One of the author's most telling life lessons from Beka's vantage point is that everyone needs "backup" in the form of supportive, loving, character-rich individuals. Readers will appreciate Beka's voice of honest conflict and applaud her every faltering move toward maturity. --- Reviewed by Michele Howe.

Another Beka !

Teens, wait no longer! Sarah Sumpolec hands her readers another in-your-face book about the travails and mysteries of surviving as a teen in a far from perfect world. The Alliance is the second time we meet Beka. She faces seen and unseen obstacles with a fledgling Christian faith. Which relationships trap and which ones free her? I recommend this book as a conversation starter with teens...if you can get it away from them long enough!

Excellent book

I loved this book! It had a great plot and was easy to read. Beka, the main character, is a new Christian who is facing issues that a lot of teens struggle with. Even though her circumstances are different, I found that I could relate to some of the things Beka thought about. I think The Alliance, along with its prequel, The Masquerade, are excellent literature for Christian teens.

Another winner in the series

Sumpolec once again brings to life realistic characters faced with true-to-life decisions. Beka struggles to make the right decisions and oftentimes fails miserably, choosing popularity over her faith. Yet in spite of Beka's frailties, she grows to learn more about who she is and what she believes. Genuine dialogue, believable characters, and a well-developed plot using realistic conflicts hallmark The Alliance. Beka is a flawed character with more wrong answers than right, endearing her to young people. This is a book teens will not only enjoy but one they can relate to as well.

Watching Beka grow

This coming of age fiction series is awesome. Beka is real and deals with issues that teens face every day -- making spiritual decisions, choosing friends, dating the right guy. It was a fun read from the first page to the last and I look forward to the next book in the series.