The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall - She Said Yes

This story of Cassie Bernall will shock you. It's hard to believe that someone would kill a person because they believe in God, that Cassie changed her ways just a few years before she got shot, and she got shot by the same kind of people she used to be. Cassie Bernall's mother tell the shocking true story of her daughters last years of her life before she got shot at Colombine High School. It was hard for me to belive at first that a Cassie was almost just like the killers in the Colombine shotings but she changed her ways.

Most of the reviews on this product are a review of the" She said Yes "book itself or a continuation of the debate over the book.
I want my review to focus on the audiobook itself.
The packaging for the audiobook is attractive as are all the "She said yes" items.
Unfortunately, this audiobook has been out of print for some years now, so I had to buy a copy on an online auction.
Even though my copy was brand new, the audio dragged in a few places.
The seller very reasonably gave me a refund and let me keep the audiobook.
However,I'm positive that that was just a fluke and I'm not letting that keep me from my over all appreciation of the audiobook.And I hope that me saying that doesn't discourage anyone from trying to find a copy of it if they want it.

The sound is pretty good and clear overall.
Its read mostly by Misty Bernall, with her Husband Brad and son Chris reading a few passages where they were quoted in the book.
I thought that it was a nice touch that the Bernalls recorded the audiobook themselves instead of relying on a professional reader to do it.

The best parts of the book are the parts such as the dedication where Misty's voice trembles and you can tell that she is barely holding back tears.
That gives the audiobook a very honest, real, open feel instead of a slickly packaged and marketed product kind of feeling.

There is much controversy in many of the books regarding the shootings at Columbine as to whether there is truth to them or not. From this one to the most popular book written by Mr. Cullen...there is going to be untruths in them. No one really knows what happened in that school except the people that were there and it is not uncommon for memories to become tainted, both as time goes on and right after the initial event as being in shock can distort memories. So I basically take with a grain of salt what I read about the topic. What I found interesting in this book, however, was Cassie's background. I was not aware of the troubles she had with alcohol, drugs and the occult. I was under the impression that she was just another popular girl that was murdered on this day. What a testimony to the ignorance we all have towards tragedies. I do realize that some of the points in this book were falsified, maybe not on purpose, but because all the info had not been exposed at that point. However, I do not think that the author of the book would have any reason to falsify Cassie's struggles before that horrific event occurred. I actually found this book NOT on purpose. My daughter had read it years ago, probably for school, and left it in my Jeep. I moved it from the Jeep to the bookshelf, and there it sat for ten years. In cleaning through the bookshelf, I found the book, forgetting that I put it there. So, before giving it away, I took the short time to read it, and am very glad that I did. I would not call it great, but it forced me to form a different opinion about Cassie.

The book She said Yes is about the colombine shooting. This girl named Cassie Bernall was killed because of what she believed. her parents decided to write a book about their daughter so that maybe parents and teens could get an understanding of what it means to stand up for what you believe. This book talks about how Cassie was just an ordinary teenager. She had pressures, and other problomes that she had to deal with, just like any other teenager would. She had a point in her life where everything was turned around. She started to live a life for Christ. Before the Colombine shooting, she wrote a letter to one of her friends and ended it by saying, "P.S. Honestly, I want to live completely for God. Its hard and scary, but totally worth it." (That passage was taken from the book She Said Yes, written by Misty Bernall). I thought that it was ironic that she happened to write that the day before she died. When the guys came in and asked her if she believed in God she said yes. She didn't say no or I don't want to die or anything like that, she just said yes. It doesn't mean that she was scared, it just means that she was brave. Brave enough to stand up for what she believed in and thought was the right thing to do. I think that this book should be read by every teenager because then maybe by reading it, they won't be afraid to stand up for whats right and what they believe, no matter what it is. It also teaches good morals and lessons in life of how you can correct the problomes in your life. You always have a chance to take a different path. This book is a very powerful book that should be read by parents and teenagers. Think about it. Would you stand up for what you believe even if it meant that you could loose your life? Cassie Beranll did.

I purchased this book at an airport, looking for a way to spend my time between Boston and Denver after the laptop battery fails. I live in Denver, and like most people here experienced the horrible event of Columbine High School personally. The events of that day will be a defining moment for many of our young people.
In this book, a mother writes honestly about her daughter, Cassie Bernall, who was a teen-ager killed at Columbine High School. It seems there is some controversy over whether or not Cassie was actually killed because she stated her belief in God, but it is indisputable that she had turned her life and heart to following Jesus Christ, after some years of dabbling in witchcraft. The book tells of a mother's concern, and the lengths she went to provide a stable environment for her daughter. Like most teen-agers (how did any of us make it through those years without scars?), Cassie was searching for a sense of belonging, and ended up with a crowd of equally dis-enfranchised youths searching for meaning in dead end self destructive lifestyles. Her parents went to considerable lengths to try to help her daughter through this period without causing too much damage to herself or family.
I was impressed with the honesty of this book, in terms of her parents. The mother speaks of how hard it was to know what to do, and the risks all parents must take in further alienating their children by setting strong boundaries.
The book is well written, and flows smoothly. With a little embarrassment I let tears run down my cheeks on the airplane while reading. The story is very powerful. Ignore the reviews posted here by bitter cynical people looking for conspiracy, and read this book. The book is honest, emotionally powerful, and touching.

This book is about Cassie Bernall, the girl who said 'yes' before her killers shot her in the head. They asked her if she believed in God.
She said yes.
She was such a brave person, and I admire her. The book talks about her life and how she turned her life around after hanging with the wrong group. Everyone should read this.
It will make you think.
Her mother did an excellent job of describing their feelings during this tragedy. I pray that her family can take comfort in knowing Cassie is one brave person, that put God first in life- as we all should.

"She Said `Yes'" by Misty Bernall is a powerful biography about an adolescent girl who turned her life around through the help of her parents and her belief in Christianity. During the massacre at Columbine High, her life was cut short by two classmates because she said "Yes" to the simple question "Do you believe in God?" Cassie Bernall's killers, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, were unfortunately unable to turn for help when in need, and followed down the same path that she had been led down in her earlier life. This true story written by Cassie's mother was an attempt to show troubled teens such as Cassie's killers, that redemption is an excellent option to choose. The story of Cassie Bernall was moving and has transformed the lives of many people across the world, because she was not saint, or a God. She was a real person.
This book is very worthwhile reading, especially for all teenagers across the globe no matter what sex, religion or race. It is a completely honest story, hiding no bad aspects of her life, which makes the story even more effective. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Cassie Bernall has become an exemplar of youthful courage; a teen-age icon of faith." Cassie is a present-day heroine. She overcame many obstacles in her life, and through her treatment of others, was able to portray a kind and generous girl. Misty Bernall says "Less than a month before she died, Cassie talked about cutting off her long blonde hair so it could be made into wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy." This act of kindness showed how while she was alive, she was in fact a heroine to maybe one child somewhere in the world.
Misty Bernall wrote this book specifically for teens. Her motive was to prevent another incident such as the shootings at Columbine to reoccur. Cassie was not always the perfect daughter, student and sister. As said in Time magazine, "We expect our martyrs to be etched in stained glass, not carrying a backpack and worrying about their weight and their final exams. Cassie's is a mystery story. The tale of a girl lost to bad friends, drugs, witchcraft and all the dark places of teenage rebellion." This illustrates the fact that even the most lost kids can turn their lives around, as did Cassie. The story was very truthful. In the library (the place of Cassie's death) on the day of the massacre, Cassie was studying Macbeth, which she openly hated to read for her English class. When the gunmen stormed in and went on a shooting rampage, one girl named Crystal was also asked if she believed in God. Like Cassie, Crystal said yes and miraculously survived. The painful realization that Crystal could in fact not be alive right now shows the effect that Cassie's death had on other people.
Misty Bernall used many effective storytelling techniques in order to enhance the meaning of the book. The most commonly used technique was that of conflict/resolution. Mrs. Bernall talked about the family problems that were centered on Cassie, the arguments about numerous things, and the confrontations that Cassie had with influential people in her life. Then, Misty turned around and showed how Cassie along with some guidance of her parents was able to resolve these problems.
"She Said `Yes'" is a story in which all people, especially troubled teens could benefit from reading. Misty Bernall tells of the trials and tribulations of teenage life, and proves that even when you feel lost and as though you can't do anything with yourself, there is always someone to turn to for help, whether it be a parent, friend or teacher. The last line of the book read "If there is anything I would like to leave you, the reader, it is the same thought: Cassie's story is not only mine and Brad's. It is yours, and what you do with it now will give it meaning."

Cassie had turned down the wrong road. She was gothic, disturbing, and on the inside, very miserble. But she found out about God, and started making new friends...nicer friends. Before she knew it, she was happier and had strong beliefs about God. Though her relationship with her mother was never completely right, she had made a huge leap from goth to Christian. From reading this book, you will see that goths are not people who wear black and write strange poetry...they are people who speak and write of such horrible things, they can be disturbing to ADULTS. I most certainly WOULD NOT recommed this book to young children, and people who are easily disturbed.

The next part is one that will get you asking yourself questions, and wondering how one 17 year old girl could be so brave. When Cassie's school was attacked by two boys (disturbing people like she used to be) armed with guns and bombs, everything went into chaos. Many people, as you will find in this book, sacrificed their safety, and some even their lives to save others from gunfire. But what Cassie did is something that will continuously amaze you. One of the gunmen stuck his gun to her head and asked her if she believed in God. Amazingly, she said "Yes". He asked her why, but didn't give her a chance to answer. He shot her in the head, killing her instantly. Many would want to say "No", just to spare their lives. But she didn't cower.

This book was interesting, though a little boring in some parts. After all, I wanted more action and less of the aftertaste of Cassie's death. But I'm sure for the author, Cassie's mother, this book was a good way to get out her feelings of sadness. There are some hints to cussing and some topics that are not at all appropriate for kids. I only recommend this book to teens, maybe pre-teens, and adults. After reading some of this book one night, I felt this feeling of peacefulness. It just goes to show that you don't have to be wrong with God to learn from this book. It teaches you to appreciate what you've got, because you never know when you might lose it.

I read this novel years ago. It was only recently that I realized the main premise of the story is false.

There are two people where it was reported they were asked if they believed in God. Supposedly, both answered yes and died a martyr's death. Both stories have been proven to be false.

The first is Rachel Scott. There was another victim shot next to her that survived. His name was Richard. For many years it was stated that Rachel had gotten shot twice. The first time she fell to the ground, along with Richard. One of the shooters (I will not use their names) came up to her and asked her if she believed in God. She said yes and she was shot again and her life was lost.

Richard stated many years later that she was never asked that question. He also stated the story was not created by him. So, in essence, the Rachel Scott death was over dramatized.

The second martyrdom story is about Cassie Bernall. Supposedly, she was asked if she believed in God. She then said yes and, subsequently was shot and killed.

Unfortunately, it never happened. There was a teacher on the phone while the shootings were going on in the library. The shooter can be clearly heard saying, "Peekaboo," before shooting Cassie. There was no God talk with her.

That question was asked, though. It was not to Cassie. It was to a girl named Valeen Schnurr. She was shot first and then the shooter walked up to her and asked if she believed in God. Valeen said yes. Then the shooter asked why and she responded that her parents had brought her up that way.

So, who is responsible for both these wrong facts being propagated? It is only one person. His name is Craig Scott and he is the brother of Rachel Scott. He gave bad information to the FBI.

Was this an accident? Who knows? What we do know is that both families have since capitalized off these stories. Scott's family started a foundation in her name and the father goes around the country to churches speaking about her death. Here is a small sample of the speech he gives:

"They then came back up the stairs and walked up over to Rachel. Lifted her head up. Eric Harris lifted her head up by the hair and said, "Do you still believe in God," because he knew she had talked to him about God and she said, "Yes I do." And then he shot her in the head through the temple and killed her. And the last words she heard were, "Do you believe in God," and then the next words she heard were the very voice of God himself saying, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Bernall's family decided to release a book. A book whose main premise has been proven to be false. Gullible Christians are gobbling up the story as truth. I am not surprised. This is the same group of people who think they know what God supposedly told Rachel after her life was taken from her.

This story of Cassie Bernall will shock you. It's hard to believe that someone would kill a person because they believe in God, that Cassie changed her ways just a few years before she got shot, and she got shot by the same kind of people she used to be. Cassie Bernall's mother tell the shocking true story of her daughters last years of her life before she got shot at Colombine High School. It was hard for me to belive at first that a Cassie was almost just like the killers in the Colombine shotings but she changed her ways.

SHE SAID YES is the empowering story of Cassie Bernall, a victim of the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999. Cassie had a gun pointed at her forehead and when asked if she believed in God she said yes. She was shot for standing up for what she believed in. Misty Bernall, Cassie's mother, wrote the book and there are many quotes from other members of her family and friends who were in the school library where Cassie was shot. There are quotes from people from her church who knew her and people that knew her from school. Cassie went through a very hard stage in her first couple of years of high school and ended up at Columbine High School because she was doing so much better. She was very involved in church and was not even scared to stand up for what she believed in.

You don't have to believe in God, go to church, or be religious in any way to fully enjoy this book. The basic question is, could you do what she did? Would you be able to stand up for what you believe in, even if that meant being killed? The only thing that I really didn't like about this book was the fact that only the first chapter was about the shooting at Columbine. The rest of the book is about Cassie and background information on her and how she ended up attending Columbine High School.

Reviewed by: Taylor Rector

Why are there all these reviews as to whether Cassie said yes or not. This book isn't just about what she said, it's about how she lived. It brings hope to parents who feel there's no way to reach their child anymore. It's an inspiration and encouragement to me to know that I had a lot in common with Cassie before she died. She struggled in her relationship with God too, and at times felt she was at a standstill, just as I was feeling at the time of reading it. It really helped me knowing that someone with a such an intricate story, as Cassie's, had a lot of the same struggles as me. But what helps me most of all is that she was able to pull through them, and this book offers hope to me. Regardless of "what she said", this book is an encouragement to parents and teens about the struggles that teenagers face.

She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall, written by Cassie's mother, Misty Bernell gives a eye opening account of the true of story of her daughters life, not just the "Yes" that spread through papers across the nation in a flash, there is more to the story. Cassie had a gloomy background containing satanic worship, drugs, alcohol, and obsessing with killing her parents. Later in her life she made a complete turnaround, renewing herself in Christ. It is at this stage in her life that she was murdered by the hand of one who, ironically, had a lot in common with Cassie's "old self." This book is Cassie's mother's account of her life, the good and the bad, the fear and the courage.
In the review of this book in Publishers Weekly on September 13, 1999, the reviewer shares many of my opinions of this book in that it is a powerful read. He explains how ironic it is that Cassie was murdered by someone who had many of the same feelings and thoughts that she had had earlier in her own life. He also addresses that thorough Family help, love, and example, any troubled teen can be helped. The reviewer then states that this is a book that reveals courage and honesty.
In the review from Publishers Weekly, the writer stresses and idea that is also heavily focused on in the book, the idea that any teen or any person, no matter how far from the word, can be brought back; whether it be through tough love, comfort and peace, or stricter rules and guidelines that are completely necessary for parents or guardians to succeed at the job which the Lord meant for them to have. I also agree with the reviewer's point that Cassie may not have been a Martyr, but she certainly died in the confidence of the Lord.
I would recommend this book to all teenagers, and to all parents of teens. This book caused me to reevaluate myself and the way that I look at life, and I believe it will do the same for any other reader. Through Misty Bernall's honest and heart felt writing about her daughters inspirational faith, I came to realize many things about my own personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and how I too, need to be ready to leave this earth at any moment. This book is a very interesting and heart-wrenching read.

This book was inspiring and saddening both at the same time. Mrs. Bernall was very brave to write this tale and tell us of her daughter's short life. This was the inspiring part.
The sobering part is that when the reason of the Columbine shootings was the complete absence of hope in the two young men's hearts which resulted from a Godless society, the entire nation is pretending it is something else--not enough gun control, too many cliques, or not enough anger management classes. What they don't want to admit, REFUSE to admit, is that if only Christianity were not so persecuted today (no prayer in schools, teachers not allowed to bring up their faith unless asked about it), there would be many students not dead. At least, that is what I believe. And this book confirmed it-- Cassie Bernall, though a devoted Christian when she died an unlikely martyr's death, was once exactly like her killers; it was only the love of Christ that kept her from going over the brink like they did, and which brought her back to hope.

Discard the reviews of people about whether she said "yes" or not. Look at this book as a brief glimpse into a teenager's life. From that perspective, this is a fascinating story.
One of the strengths of this book is that is does not lapse into the weepy introspection or pop-psychology of most "instant" true life tales that are quickly rushed to print following some tragedy. "She Said Yes" is a straightforward rendition of different perpectives of Cassie Bernall's trails and tribulations in the 3-4 years before her death. The books simplicity makes for powerful reading.
It's simplicity is also a weakness. It's understandable that Misty Bernall did not want to go into lurid detail about Cassie's drug use and sex life. Instead she refers to these event crypitically. I think that robs the book of some power in that we never really get to see the depths of Cassie's darkness before her spiritaul conversion.
I am also intrigued by what else is in Cassie's diaries. The excerpts in the book give brief glimpses of a struggling girl looking to find her place in the world and what this god is in her life. The book gives just a taste of Cassie's inner thoughts and leaves the reader hungering for more.
Whatever she said in that library that day does not reduce the impact of this book. This is a fascinating look at a teen who was turning her life around.

" She Said Yes," a book about Cassie Brunell. This book is about a 17 year old girl in the 11th grade at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado named Cassie Brunell. The author begins by taking the reader to the Columbine High School campus on that infamous day April 20, 1999. That morning at 11:20 am two crazed student gun men walked into the school library and opened fire. While they were shooting they picked out people they did not like and one of them was Cassie. They held their guns to her head and asked if she believed in God and she answered "yes". Because of Cassie's courage to say "yes" she was shot in the head. Then the book talked about her life as she was a little girl up to that terrible day. It tells about how she was leading the same life style as the gun men until two years before the shooting. That's when her parents enrolled her in a different school, Columbine High. Cassie got involved in church and later even began to lead bible studies and youth groups. This book made me wonder, what if I were in her position? What would I say? What would I do? I pray that my faith would be as strong as Cassie's. This book is a very heart warming book. I encourage everyone to read this great book.

This is an absolute awesome book. It keeps the readers attention; it isn't full of needless, useless knowledge. And I appreciate the fact Misty was honest and did not portray this as a family unlike any other. She (Misty) allowed her thoughts and feelings to be exposed. For this I applaud her.
As I read the Cassie Bernall story "She Said Yes" It reminds me so much of our life with our teen son (who in the last year has chosen to take a public stand for Jesus), how tough it was for us (as a family) to get to this point in his life. The story wasn't (to me) about the death of a child, but new life. I think the same story would have encouraged me as a parent (had this tragedy not happened). It is encouraging to know there are parents out there willing to display true, tough love to save their children. To often, parents just "talk" without any actions, in fear of hurting the teen's feelings. I praise the lord for the Bernall family (including Chris) for all they have done ... that Cassie is in Heaven because of their love for her while she was their gift here! "She Said Yes" is a must if you are a parent, teen, or friend of someone in need of encouragement that "tough love" does have its GREATER rewards... if Jesus Christ is on your side. My son publicly thanked his father and I for all the times "...making me go to church, and for dragging me off to church camp" I highly recommend this book for purchase to have and read over and over!

A true and honest portrayal of a young, troubled girl who's life was eternally changed only by the grace of God. This sometimes brutally honest narrative describing the the events leading to the ultimate demise of Cassie Bernall, was painfully written by the mother of the victim, Misty Bernall. Misty makes no effort to falsely describe her daughter, rather she invites you into the private life of Cassie, indicating she was far from the "martyr" she has be portrayed as. Misty presents a "realistic" Cassie, as she (Cassie) would want to be seen. Misty reveals Cassie's secret plot to kill her family and actually admits her empathetic thoughts to the killers' families', even including a copy of a letter written by the Klebold family. I highly recommend this book to teens in trouble and parents dealing with misguided children. This book is far from someone taking advantage and benefiting from a horrible tragedy, but a parent introducing the world to the real and equally admirable, Cassie Bernall.

"P.S. Honestly, I want to live completely for God. It's hard and scary, but totally worth it"
This is a non-fiction story of a girl named Cassie Bernall. If you were interested in the Columbine shooting then I would recommend this book to you. Cassie's Mother, Misty Bernall wrote the book about her. This book is mainly about a girl named Cassie Bernall and the story of the Columbine shooting and the horrible things that happened to her throughout her life. Cassie Bernall is one of the many victims of the columbine shooting. When Cassie was laying on the floor in the school the two young schoolboys whom also went to school with Cassie they asked her if she believed in God and she said yes so they shot her in the head. Then she died. Then shortly after the shooting they say the boys shot themselves. This is a little quote from Dr. Laura Schlessinger... " This story teaches a striking lesson to parents and young people everywhere" I think that quote means that to those teens and parents who go threw this I think she's saying that this happens to everyone. I thought this book was so extremely interesting, and I just could not stop reading it! So I encourage many people to take interest in this book of the young girl. Once you start reading this book you are not going to want to stop!

When you first start reading this book, you think it will be about the day that changed the Bernall family and Littleton, Colorado forever. Misty Bernall puts together the day that her daughter’s life ended on from the bits and pieces of information she gets from the students that survived the terrible day of April 20,1999. Most people only know Cassie Bernall as one of the students that was killed in the Columbine massacre, but some know her as a martyr. From what was heard by the surviving students, the two killers confronted Cassie and asked “Do you believe in God?” the answer she gave is not how she always felt.
This is when the story gets deeper into her personal life and not how she was always the happy girl. When she first started high school she started to hang out with the wrong crowd and was tempted like most teenagers are. She hung out with people that wanted to use violence to solve their problems with their parents and teachers and experimented with drugs. Her parents found letters that her friend wrote her that expressed these feelings harshly. They took the hard path and separated her from these friends and from that environment. Cassie rebelled like normal teenagers would do and had a strong hatred for her parents. This troubled teenager even hurt herself to get this pain out and threatened to commit suicide.
After being transferred to Christian school and joining a youth group, she met a couple new friends. One of them took her to a youth camp, where religion wasn’t pushed, and that is where she changed. By having her faith and the love of her family she got out of all he tribulations she had once faced. She opened up and let out her angry feelings and let in hopeful ones. Then she was transferred to Columbine high school. Here she wanted to help people that didn’t have what they did in a private school. After this revelation, she had an untimely death that she was ready for. This is when she reached the answer to the last question she was ever asked before she died. She said, “YES”.

Misty Bernall did a beautiful job of putting her daughter's life story on paper. She'll having hanging on the edge of your chair just itching to see what's going to happen next. We learn the many ups and downs of Cassie's troubled teen life. You'll be plenty suprised (I was) of the life this now martyr had before. Suicide attempts, letters written threatening to kill her parents, worshipping Satan were all apart of this girls life before Misty and Brad whipped her back on track. When I say whipped, they really did get her back on track. For starters, Misty even quit her job to spend 24/7 with her daughter Cassie. She was put into a good Christian school to force religious values in her. This process took a while, not just overnight. Pretty soon, Brad and Misty started noticing major changes in their former suicidal daughter like she started smiliing more and just being more respectful. We all know what happend with Cassie's famous "yes," so I just finish up this review. This story has you feeling like your just sitting in the Bernall home listening to a personal family story. This is personally, one of my favorite books because of the truth in the story and how it gives you faith to believe in yourself that you can change. I highly highly recommend this book to any indivivdual who's having a hard time in life and feel they can't go on, it helps a lot (believe me). Read it whenever your feeling down and need a boost of faith.

I find it rather disturbing that so many people seem to applaud Cassie's parents for basically forcing her to conform to their religious beliefs as part of their "tough love". So is it wrong that she was interested in the occult and dressed in dark clothing? Did she need to be forced into accepting Jesus Christ in her life in order for others to see her as a upstanding normal girl? I believe that people should be allowed to make their own choices in life, especially when it comes to very personal things like religion. I think that this book has its merits in describing the life of an interesting young woman, but I think it is more interesting to see how her parents reacted to her earlier lifestyle and how that reaction is a shadowy reflection of the mindset that seems to have driven her killers to do the things that they did.

All I have to say is "ohmigosh!" That book touched in more ways than one! You never would beleive the life Cassie had to live. The book, in my opinion tells me to live each second to the fullest! You never know what tomarrow, next period, one minute, one second, might bring! If after you read this book, you are not somehow touched, i'm surprised! To contact me to talk about this book e-mail me at the included e-mail address! Thanx!

This book is very different and unique experience to indulge into. The tales of a young girls' struggle to fight for her freedom, peace, and happiness ironically loses it after an amazing turning point. The overall theme being a parents love for a child that was destined for an untimely road. This book gave detailed accounts of this seventeen-year-old girls life and how it was so brutally taken away for her, months before graduation. Overall, the book makes the reader get physically in touch with his/her feelings and have a greater appreciation for the people involved in ones life and how little time you have to enjoy it.
I was interested in the book mainly because of the title, catchy. And to seemingly curious minds it some how makes you want to find out what she said "yes" to. This book is an excellent book to read if there are questions in ones mind on "why should I live?" mainly seeking to find the troubled suicidal teens. This book is captivating because it makes you feel a world of emotions such as: sorrow, pain, joy and lastly...love. Love stands out as the main theme in this book because through love uncontrollable minds are controlled, the untamed spirit, tamed and finally the ferocious teen within is the gentle, hearty, wholesome person you raised to be your own.
Reading this book not only made me realize all the things I should be thankful for, but it allowed me to see myself for who I really am and the possible traits I can change to be a better person for my family and friends. Reading this book also gave me a greater appreciation for life and how I should be grateful for gaining another day.

In this book, a girl named Cassie Bernall had got shot at her very own school. But she was only one of the many who were killed . Her mom ,Misty Bernall, wrote this book in memory of her loving daughter. In this book, it tells how Cassie grew up and what memories she has left of her daughter. Her mom also interviewed Cassie's friends and put what memories they had left of her, too. Cassie was always writing notes to her friends about how bad her life was and how she wanted to run away. In this book, she shows the notes she had writen them. But in the last note she ever wrote, she gave to her friend right before she died. It had said that she had belived in God. Right before she got shot, she said the same thing. I look up to Cassie Bernall because she is a strong person who sticks up for what she belives in. I know that if I were in her situation, and they had asked me if I belived in God, I probably would have said, "I don't know" and just cooperated with them. But then again, everything does happen for a reason. So maybe she was meant to go. If I had to rate this book out of 10, it would be a 10. I think this book should be required to read because it is a true life story, and it could happen to anybody. I would also love to see the movie.

I practically read this in one sitting! I was gripped from the beginning by the agony the parents experienced on April 20, 1999. Excerpts from family & friends document Cassie's struggles with acceptance and religion as your average American teen. I was moved and challenged as I wondered if my response to the gunmen would have been the same. The book was surprisingly well written.

First a comment: Isn't interesting that the people who make snooty comments about this book almost never attach their name to their review(?) hmmmmmm. This is a book about Cassie Bernall, one of the people who was killed in the Columbine shootings in April 1999. First few chapters deal with that day and how the parents didn't even know till the next day if Cassie had died. Then the book talks about period when Cassie was into the occult and other forms of depression. Then her parents take a stand and transfer her to a christian school and she meets a friend who helps here realize that she can live differently. Turning point in her life is when she goes to a church retreat and she prays with a bunch of friends and seems to turn here life around by trusting God and establishing healthier relationships...last few chapters of the book deal with interviews of Cassie's friends and various letters and notes that cassie wrote about her faith and life ambition which was cut short by 2 evil classmates. One is not sure what the life of Cassie Rene Bernall means to the rest of us but a genuine believer has to know that it means something...A few days before Cassie's death she wrote these words which were then read by her brother at her funeral: "Now I have given up on everything else. I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that bought Him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and die with Him. So whatever it takes I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead". I believe the lesson for the rest of us to learn from this story is not "did Cassie really say yes" but rather we should ask "what is my everything else"...Cassie got Romans 7, Cassie got what dying with Christ means and that is why the Cassie Bernall story is more than a good story for teens to read, its a good story for adults to learn. One year after these shooting her parents dedicated the Cassie Bernall Home for Children in Honduras. All I can say is while they may have silenced her speech, they will never silence her life...that is why she is one of my hero's...

The ninth commandment proclaims "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." It has been well proven that Cassie was never asked "the Question" that the exploiters of her death claim she was. Perhaps what Christians perceive as an intolerance of their faith stems from their arrogant view that their religion is the only true path to salvation and others (in fact the majority of people of faith)are wrong and will be eternally damned. Christian proselytizing also demonstrates this arrogance. Cassie was an victim of demented, hateful young men, not virulent anti-Christians. I would be interested in hearing from people defending this arrogance and hypocracy.

Although this book and its author have been under the line of fire from critics, I have to say I approve of it whole heartedly. The theory that Misty Bernall wrote it to make a quit buck is false, because all profits went to charities and the Cassie Bernall memorials, etc. Mrs. Bernall gives a fair portrayal of her daughter: not as a saint, but as a human with many faults. This is in relatialtion to the media calling her a martyr. (Hence: "The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall). The reader will come away from this book seeing Cassie as an insecure, moody, and sweet girl. Not any one out of the ordinary. But, there is no doubt that her faith in Christ was strong. Mrs. Bernall cannot be condemned for writing this excellent summary of her daughter's life. She was simply trying to put her daughter's legacy into a truthful light. As Mrs. Bernall said: Cassie wouldn't want to be remembered as a perfect saint. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who feels at a low point in their faith, or to anyone who simply wants to know the truth about Cassie Bernall.

This is a remarkable story about the life of Cassie Bernall, Misty Bernall's 17-year old daughter who got killed in the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1997. Cassie is now considered a martyr since she said "Yes" when one of the shooters put a gun to her head and asked if she believed in God. This reply made everyone, including Misty, think "What would I have done?" The way that Cassie did not refuse God when she was in a life or death situation makes me proud of her heroic act. In that situation, even I don't know what I would have done. This book is full of detail of Cassie's life before the tragic incident and how her life is still being remembered to this day. She was a wonderful person in my eyes and her story will live on. This book was full of detail, easy to read, and caught my attention throughout the story. Even though Misty Bernall has not written anything to my knowledge in the past, she put a lot of effort into this story about her daughter.

Could you imagine being faced with one question that would determine whether or not you would live to tell the story of your life? On April 20th, 1999, at Columbine High school, two troubled classmates shot Cassie Bernall because she answered this question:
"Do you believe in God? "
Cassie answered yes and was shot in her head immediately. The same two students shot twelve other innocent students that day.
The story She Said Yes is a great story that introduces you to a family that has been through some very tragic times. It tells about a teenage girl struggling and making the wrong decisions, subsequently fixing up her life, and then her unsuspected death. Misty Bernall, Cassie's mother, tells you all of the details of Cassie's life, the troubles and the triumphs, the good and the bad, the sad and the happy.
I decided to read the story because I had heard about the tragic Columbine shootings and wanted to know more information about it. I would definitely recommend this to others who are curious about what took place that day. I would also recommend this book to parents that are trying to deal with teens making some bad decisions, or to a teen struggling to do the right thing but just doesn't know how to handle the pressure.
Cassie got into some pretty bad things. For example, she was hanging out with the wrong crowd, doing drugs, and listening to some awful music. This may not sound like such a big deal right now, but it ended up leading too much worse. Cassie wrote notes back and forth to her friends threatening to kill her parents, teachers, and even some students. She also gave her soul to Satan and began to do witch craft type things.
This was a very big deal when her parents found out, especially since she grew up in a Christian family and was always taught to do the right thing. Misty's only goal was to get her daughter back but she knew it would be a struggle. Cassie changed to a Christian school and was not aloud to have any contact with any of her friends from her old school.
This did change Cassie, but was it for the better or for the worse? I don't know, you are just going to have to read to find out. Overall, I really did enjoy the book and would recommend it to people of all ages. This book really teaches you to appreciate every moment you have with you're loved ones, and to cherish every second that your alive, because you never know when it could all be over. Also, it teaches you that you can change things for the better and you can make things right.

Cassi Bernall was someone that was killed in the Columbine shooting for having diffrent beliefs and saying "yes". This book was written by Cassi's mom who never expected this to happen. I strongly recomend this book to the people who wouldn't have said yes and to those who are touched by the people that have and regreted it. This is a book that made me cry and if you believe, it will most likely make you to!!!!!!!!:-)

She Said Yes is an eye-opening story about Cassie Bernall, a seventeen year old teen, that overcomes life's worst struggles. Cassie's mother, Misty, describes the tragic moments that Cassie had to go through during the years prior to her death. Cassie was not always the pretty girl with the Christlike lifestyle. At one point she felt that suicide would be the most comforting solution to her problems. She was going through the hardest times of her life when she was invited to go to a church camp. That one weekend at church camp is what changed her and let her become the great hero that she is today.
Cassie Bernall's story is one of the most remarkable stories I have ever read. It was uplifting to read because this young girl made a complete turn around in her life. It gives hope because it shows that no matter how deep you are in the wrong things you can still make it out and live a remarkable life. I liked this book so much because it was so real. Misty Bernall was completely honest and held nothing back about her daughter's troublesome moments.
One other reason I loved this book so much was that it had a profound effect on me and my life. Cassie's story gave me the courage to live my life fully and completely. No matter if Cassie was living the evil gothic lifestyle or going to church every week and praising God, she always lived to the fullest. She never held back what she truly felt. Many have wondered why God could let two boys take the life of this headstrong, beautiful teenager, and they may never know exactly why, but her tale has impacted so many hearts and turned them for the better. This book is completely wonderful and I would recommend it to all.

My favorite part of this book deals with the subject's earlier "rebellious" years. The authors make the point repeatedly that Cassie "fell in with the wrong crowd." It's amazing-- teens often get involved with a group of juvenile delinquents, but no one ever seems to be the bad kid who turns this "crowd" bad in the first place. No one is responsible and no one is really malevolent at heart and no one is responsible for their actions. How obviously false.
The fact is that subject of the biography was a person of extremes-- she was naive ("naive" is polite) enough to turn to drugs and witchcraft, and the naive enough to devote herself to fundamentalist Christianity with equal fervor. Did she have strong convictions, or did she just want her life to be dictated by a constrictive blanket belief system?
As everybody knows by now, the conversation that the title of the book is based on never happened. Cassie didn't die because she was a Christian-- she died because she was in the library. Is she now a martyr for literacy?
Another note on the use of the word "martyr" in the title-- isn't that an adjective that should be bestowed by someone other than a close relative? She's not exactly Jesus-- there are 10,000 other murder victims annually in this country.

This book is very heartbreaking. Cassie at the beginning of her teen years was heading down the very same path that her killers took. Listening to satanic music, witchcraft, and even substance abuse. It was a loving mother and father that turned the tables for Cassie. Cassie became involved with her chruch youth group, and though she at times felt that she didn't fit in, she was connecting with God. And though some believe that she did'nt actually say "yes". I for one believe that she did, her friend reconized her voice. Because she and Val Schnurr had been praying when the killers approached her. That is also one of the reasosn they shot Val as well, however Val was lucky to survive and Cassie was not. Good book however, I was much more impressed with the book Rachel's tears, the story of Rachel Scott.

This whole experience was a major tragedy. It reaffairms my faith in Christ. I was even compelled to buy the commemorative video. I don't care how much of it goes to charity or how much the family makes, the family lost their only daughter in the worst tragedy of the year. School is supposed to be a safe place. This book proves that kids can change and that kids do believe in Christ. I always did but it has wavered in months. It's wonderful. I feel horrible for all the families. I urge everyone to read this book whether you are religious or just interested. You will be moved. I read it in two hours and cried at the end. Parents will do anything for the love of their child and the Bernalls did the ultimate.

In this book, a girl named Cassie Bernall had got shot at her very own school. But she was only one of the many who were killed . Her mom ,Misty Bernall, wrote this book in memory of her loving daughter. In this book, it tells how Cassie grew up and what memories she has left of her daughter. Her mom also interviewed Cassie's friends and put what memories they had left of her, too. Cassie was always writing notes to her friends about how bad her life was and how she wanted to run away. In this book, she shows the notes she had writen them. But in the last note she ever wrote, she gave to her friend right before she died. It had said that she had belived in God. Right before she got shot, she said the same thing. I look up to Cassie Bernall because she is a strong person who sticks up for what she belives in. I know that if I were in her situation, and they had asked me if I belived in God, I probably would have said, "I don't know" and just cooperated with them. But then again, everything does happen for a reason. So maybe she was meant to go. If I had to rate this book out of 10, it would be a 10. I think this book should be required to read because it is a true life story, and it could happen to anybody. I would also love to see the movie.

She said yes is about a girl named Cassie. Cassie faces many difficulties in her life such as drinking and smoking ect... Until she meets the Lord. Cassie face's a big question that could take her life. I love this book because of all the action it contains. Mrs. Bernall did an awesome job with this book. Is she going to die? Is her parents going to die? What will happen next? read the book and find out.

This book is increadibly valuable to anyone who care about youth. Cassie was headed for a life of self hate and destructive tendencies when she was stopped and turned around by her parents. This book gives an inspiring account of how she found a possitive outlook through faith and the help of her parents and new friends.

This book moved me and told me how unexpectedly everything can change. I read this book because my brother was reading it for a school project and I read it in less than an hour. It was certainly an amazing story and I think it was more frightening than the Iraqi War, the 9/11 attack, or anything else because it was personal, and heartfelt by only a few people that is worth thousands of people's love.

The pain expressed in this book is beyond belief. I could not imagine losing my teenage daughter the way the Bernalls did. I have been going through similar problems with my daughter, and she has been very negative to the idea of even attending church with her family. After I read the book, my daughter picked it up and began reading it. She is reading it at a slow pace right now, but I have said many prayers that Cassie's story will inspire her. I admire the Bernalls so much for being able to discuss Cassie this way, and it does not matter if she was the one who said yes to the gunmen. She still has an incredible story to tell. After reading the story this week about the Bernalls refusing to be a part of all the Columbine lawsuits, I admire them even more. May God bless them richly and heal their pain.

I think that it was a beautifully written book with an insperational touch. It made me think about what I would do if someone held a gun to my head and asked me the same question and come to think of it I think that I would have said the same thing that Cassie did. I could not imagine what my parents would do if something like that had ever happened to me but I do know that they would have been very proud of me to say yes even if I knew that something bad was going to happen to me! I don't know how you could get through that type of trama. I would like it if more people would write more books on there in school expeirences. Just reading this one book makes me want to buy more. I want to thank you hole-heartedly for publishing this book. Thank you!!!!

This book is about a girl who struggles dealing with her parents, Satanism and her faith. Cassie grows up a normal life but somewhere something went wrong and she began to hang out with the wrong type of people who were satin worshipers, involved with drugs and some who had suicidal episodes. Cassie Bernall gave her soul to the devil and never in a million years dreamed of accepting Jesus Christ as her savior. Her parents decided that she was sure to crash and burn in the route that she was headed, so they took the reins to her life. Cassie's parent's tried so hard to point the girl in the right direction, but in the end it was ultimately her choice in what and how she lives her life. In the end Cassie was faced with a life or death situation that her parents couldn't make for her and which put her faith to the test?

Of all of the books that I have read it must be said that this tops the charts. I found this book to be an attention grabber a life altering book. It was amazing that someone can transform from a satin-worshipping rebellious teen to a God fearing and enemy-loving person. I could honestly relate with some of the things and problems that Cassie Bernall encountered. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has some spare time for a desire to read an amazing, heart touching book.