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In the aftermath of the Columbine High School tragedy, a story came out
about Cassie Bernall, a young woman who allegedly professed her belief
in God in the moments before she was shot dead. Hailed a modern-day
martyr by Christian groups and the media, detectives revealed months
later that she may never have had such an exchange with her killer.
Bernall's parents responded to the news with a statement:
"Our intent was to share Cassie's story in an effort to encourage parents and teenagers. If any of our actions have hurt or offended anyone, we sincerely apologize."
In She Said Yes, a
moving memoir written by Cassie's mother, Misty Bernall, we meet the
real Cassie, a typical adolescent who struggles with peer pressure and
her relationship with her parents. Once headed down the common teenage
path of self-loathing and depression, Cassie turned her life around
through her faith and the support of a group of people who helped her
find peace and purpose--her youth group at church. Though Cassie was
far from the perfect child, She Said Yes tells the story of how
Cassie's faith gave her the strength to overcome the obstacles she
faced in her young life. Regardless of what happened at Columbine, She Said Yes is a moving tribute to an extraordinary young woman and a lesson for both parents and teenagers alike.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
One of the most
gripping stories to come out of the shooting at Columbine High School
in Littleton, Colo., is that of Cassie Bernall: when asked by the
gunmen whether she believed in God, she answered yes and then was shot
point-blank. Hours after the story emerged, Cassie was hailed a martyr
by news media and Christian groups around the world. Her mother's
smoothly written account of that day, and of the years that preceded
it, provides a fuller picture of a girl who was once very troubled and,
ironically, had been for a time as much of a Goth-loving outsider as
her killers. Bernall relates how she and her husband intervened after
finding letters in Cassie's room that described occult spells and ways
to murder one's parents. In describing her daughter's turnaround,
spurred by adjustments at school and a Christian youth group, Bernall
also details her own emotional difficulties before and after the
shooting. Her remarkable candor about her relationship with her
daughter makes this an intense and fascinating memoir. Comments from
Cassie's father and schoolmates add depth and, by her own admission,
allow even Bernall to learn more about Cassie than she had known before
the shooting. Through the Bernall family's example, the book shows how
a troubled teenager can be helped, though Bernall doesn't hold back
when describing the emotional toll the process can take. Although she
doesn't see her daughter as a martyr, Bernall concludes that Cassie's
death was, indeed, a triumph of honesty and courage. This powerful
memoir honors that courage and reveals Misty Bernall's own. 10 b&w
photos. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover
edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
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