Second Chance is the second book in the Left Behind: The Kids series, by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim LaHaye, with contributions from Chris Fabry. It was originally released in July of 1998. This novella along with three others were later released in the compilation volume, Taken (Left Behind: The Kids).
Plot introduction[]
Synopsis retrieved from back of the book.
Faced with the truth behind the disappearances, Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan have decisions to make. Will they accept Christ's forgiveness, or will they blame God for abandoning them and taking away their families?
While the others are making their decisions, Lionel gets a disturbing message from his Uncle Andre. Afraid his uncle is going to take his own life, Lionel rushes to Chicago, praying he'll reach Andre before it's too late.
Plot Summary[]
The first chapter begins from the point of view of Judd Thompson Jr. Judd had always sized up situations quickly. It was clear to him that of the four kids who had fled to nearby New Hope Village Church during the greatest crisis the world would ever see, he was the oldest. The redhead, the only girl, had a hard, bitter edge to her. But still, if Judd has to guess, he would say she is younger than he is.
Ah, what did he care. How could he ever care about anything anymore? The end of the world, at least the world as he knew it, had come. Millions all over the world had disappeared right out of their clothes, leaving everything but flesh and bone behind.
It wasn't that Judd didn't know what had happened. He knew all too well. As he had heard in church and Sunday school and at home his whole life, Jesus Christ had come back to rapture his church, and Judd had been left behind.
Characters in Second Chance[]
Believers[]
- Judd Thompson Jr. (becomes a believer)
- Vicki Byrne (becomes a believer)
- Lionel Washington (becomes a believer)
- Rayford Steele (becomes a believer)
- Chloe Steele (becomes a believer)
- Bruce Barnes
- Loretta
Unbelievers[]
- Ryan Daley
- LeRoy Banks
- Cornelius Grey
- Talia Grey (first appearance)
- Andre Dupree
- Nicolae Jetty Carpathia
- Unknown man in the morgue (confirmed death, body only)
- Vince (only appearance)
- Unnamed soccer player in Romania
POVs[]
Trivia[]
- Judd becomes a believer.
- Vicki becomes a believer.
- Lionel becomes a believer.
- First appearance of Talia Grey.
- Vicki's trailer is burned down.
- LeRoy Banks and his associates take over Lionel's house to get revenge against Andre Dupree.
- Ryan's house remains intact except for one break-in by an unknown burglar.
- Everyone moves together to live in Judd's house at the end of this book.
- Ryan now has Marc Thompson's room.
- Mr. Daley's name is accidentally misspelled as "Mr. Ryan" on page 57 of this book.
Deaths[]
- Unnamed African-American male
- Unnamed soccer player in Romania