Customer Reviews

The Encore (Becoming Beka Series, Book 5)

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In this book, Beka continues to face the issues of dating relationships and family relationships as she seeks to figure out how God wants her to deal with all the problems she is facing. This book, as with the others in the series, covers quite a few intense issues, but as they are real issues, facing real teens today, it is also very realistic. It also takes a look at what God has to say about some of these things. This is the 5th book in the Becoming Beka series, a story about a young teen who's mother died, who felt so lost she considered suicide and who became a Christian and is now seeking to live her life in highschool as a follower of Christ even while many typical high school challenges come her way.
~ CTF Devourer.com
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Sarah Anne Sumpolec wraps up the Becoming Beka series on a hopeful and satisfactory note. Beka, now within a handbreadth of graduating, spends the remainder of her senior year in high school debating and making decisions. Whether she should take a risk to pursue a career in music and move to Los Angeles where her soon-to-be new family lives is always just a thought away from Beka's consciousness. Should she continue "seeing" Mark, whose very presence causes her mind to go into neutral and her standards to suddenly become debatable? Can a long-distance friendship (or possible romantic relationship) with Josh ever work? And which college should she choose?

With all these decisions preying on Beka's mind, she is also forced to take action --- responsible action --- on behalf of herself and those close to her. Her sister Lucy is becoming more distant and angry by the day. Beka pushes as far as she's able to reach back into Lucy's world, but every time she makes another attempt, Lucy backlashes her with bitter words of resentment. Beka's dad --- the strong, stable, committed man that he is --- tries to protect his family from erupting work problems that threaten his financial stability and reputation. But Beka sees through her father's calm façade and tries to shoulder some of his burden as well. Meanwhile, Beka's best friend Lori continues to wrestle with her own family troubles as her adopted parents attempt to work through an ongoing marriage crisis.

Add school with the revenge-seeking Mai and a controversy involving Beka's music teacher and her song of choice, and Beka is reeling under the pressure. From every angle, Beka has something or someone needing her help, support or advice. So where does Beka go for recharging? Surprisingly, she finds a friendly and understanding voice in Gabby, her dad's fiancée. Beka's counselor offers additional wise counsel, as do a few Christian friends from church.

When all is said and done, Beka realizes that everyone needs "backup," God provides exactly what is needed, and life is seldom without some sort of difficulty --- although there's still something worthwhile even amidst the hardships.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

The fifth and final book in the Becoming Beka Series covers Beka Madison's senior year and the life-changing decisions she must make. What will she do after graduation? Should she pursue a music career in L.A. or attend college closer to home? And most importantly, is Mark or Josh the one for her?

Beka is concerned about her family, too. Her younger sister, Lucy, is running with the wrong crowd and Beka is worried about her. She has become withdrawn and refuses to listen to Beka's advice. Mai continues to be Beka's enemy in spite of Beka's determination to pray for her. And Beka has to get used to the idea of her widowed father getting married again. But in every area of her life, Beka seeks God's wisdom and guidance.

Sumpolec knows teenagers, and her characterizations are true-to-life. I quickly became involved with Beka's aspirations and emotions. Evocative descriptions and realistic dialogue combine to make the reader feel "there" in the story. I'm looking forward to seeing what Sarah Anne Sumpolec has in mind as an encore for her readers after her successful Beka series.

The Encore is book five in the Beka series. It is Beka's senior year, and she wants it to be great, but everything seems to go wrong. Mrs. Brynwit, the school principal, hates the song she wrote for a school assignment, because it mentions God. Mai, an avowed enemy, wants Beka's job as editor of the school newspaper, and will do anything to get it. Lucy, Beka's younger sister, is running with a rough crowd and refuses to listen to her big sister's advice. Beka's mother died two years ago and her father is getting married again. Mark, a fellow senior, says he loves her, but refuses to talk about anything serious, and Josh, who is away at college just wants to be friends. And then there's God. What does he want from her?

The Encore captures what it's like to be young, insecure, and undecided. Beka doesn't seem like a character in a book, she seems like the teenager in your own family, as she tries to be everything to everyone, and ends up feeling like a failure. How can you have all the answers when you don't even know all the questions? Buy this one for your teenage daughter. She'll love it.

Beka Madison us a gifted musician who is struggling with what to do after graduation, what to do about her love life, and how to deal with her father's upcoming marriage and subsequent move from the house she's lived in her entire life. As her Senior year draws to a close, Beka must finally decide where her life is headed.
As for what to do after graduation...does she stay close to home and go to college or does she move across the country to go after a music career and attend school part-time? If she moves across the country, she'll leave everything that's familiar to live with relatives of her father's fiance, but she'll also be closer to Josh.
As for the love life...first, there was Mark. Mark is every girl's dream. He's handsome and athletic and knows just what to say to make Beka feel like a princess. Josh is older and away in Seatle in college. He's more interested in taking things slowly and taking the relationship where God leads. Mark's approach is more exciting and makes her heart beat a little faster, but it just doesn't feel right.
Then there's her father and Gabie, her soon-to-be stepmom. It's been barely two years since Beka's mom passed away and Beka is still clinging to her memory. Gabie does her best to help, but Beka can't seem to unlock her heart.
As graduation draws closer, Beka knows she must make some life altering decisions. Does she sign the record contract and move to the other side of the country? It will put her closer to Josh, but further from her father and her siblings. Is she ready to be that far away from her family?
Sumpolec tackles Beka's decisions with Godly guidance and the struggle Beka faces with earthly temptation. It's a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful journey through Beka's life.
Edee Wilcox, author If I'd Only Known...

The mailman brought my copy of The Encore, and I couldn't wait to dive in! What happens in the fifth and final episode of Becoming Beka? Eighteen year old Beka is torn between two loves; someone targets her for revenge; family dynamics heat up; and an unexpected twist catches Beka and the reader by surprise. Author Sarah Sumpolec doesn't tie up Beka's life in a neat package, but a strong message of God's hope lingers. Beka can't wait to see God's plan unfold, and I can't either. I hope that's why the author kept the door cracked for future possibilties. Maybe we won't have to say goodbye after all!

The Encore is just that, a great ending to a superbly written series for teen girls. As a teacher and aunt, I've recommended and purchased this series for many teens struggling with the same issues Beka faces. Sumpolec does a terrific job with character development, allowing the reader to feel the pain Beka experiences.

In The Encore, Beka knows in her heart she needs to decide about her relationships with two boys. The only downfall of this book would be that Sumpolec may have drawn out this decision and Beka's relationship with one of the boys a bit too long. However, the character development, tone, and pacing carry the reader for the most part.

The problems Beka faces in this book are "real life" for Christian teens who desire to "fit in" to the world around them. Without being preachy, Sumpolec expresses her message of trusting God in terms teens will relate to.

It was a fun ride to be part of Beka's life throughout this series. I look forward to seeing what Sumpolec writes next, knowing with confidence it will be something well written.