Recommended Y.A. Christian Read: The Battle for Innocence

Written by Isabelle Semas

Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life. She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in her church’s children’s ministry, and enjoys art. She hopes to someday publish a book of her own.

“The Battle for Innocence,” by Stacy Padula, takes readers two years into the past. The characters, though they are young, begin to be exposed to things such as sex, drugs, and alcohol. Each must decide if they will fall into temptation or abstain from these fleeting pleasures.

This book is honest in its handling of these difficult topics. Chris and his friends’ relationships are strained by this new world of partying. Rather than glorifying the high school party scene, “The Battle for Innocence” displays the truth of the evils behind it. We see a new side of Cathy, one untainted by darkness, where she is close with her sister. Jon’s character is explored more as he watches his friends fall into temptation. Through Chantal we gain a christian teen’s perspective on these temptations. The plots intermingle into a single storyline where each of the characters must make decisions which will change their futures.

For those about to be faced with such tough decisions (junior high and high school students), I would recommend “The Battles for Innocence” to you. Stacy Padula’s book series will not lie to you like other books on the market. With christian values woven into the plot, it offers correct answers to the hard questions kids may ask themselves when faced with temptation.

Jon Anderson and Chantal Kagelli are trying to live moral lives, but temptations are plaguing them in and out of school. Will they continue to be lights in their best friends’ lives or will they get pulled into the darkness?