The Inside Battle

Thirteen-year-old Rebel Mercer lives in west Texas with his father, Nathan, and his aunt Birdie. His dad has come home from military service, and Rebel badly wants his approval. But something is off. Nathan has PTSD, and he has been spending his time in contact with the Flag Bearers, a racist, anti-government militia. Rebel disagrees with his father's new beliefs, yet he looks the other way.

Then his best friend, Ajeet, beats him at a robotics tournament using one of Rebel's own pieces. Rebel starts to wonder whether his dad might be right about some things, and he lashes out at Ajeet. After Rebel is expelled from school, Nathan takes him to the mountains of Oklahoma to meet up with the Flag Bearers. His father is soon absorbed by the group, whose activities grow more and more dangerous.

When Rebel hears about a planned attack on an African American church, he knows the group has crossed a line and that innocent people could be hurt. He must find the courage to speak up and try to stop the Flag Bearers before it is too late. Melanie Sumrow's novel is a story about family, bravery and standing up for what is right.