She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall (Paperback)

by Misty Bernall (Author) "april 20, 1999, started like any other school day in our house..." (more)
Key Phrases: misty bernall, cassie bernall, West Bowles, Columbine High, Marilyn Manson

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
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 an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House (December 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874869226
• ISBN-13: 978-0874869224
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (429 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #497,892 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Factually incorrect but still has some meaning., August 24, 2007

By	Tina "retail queen" (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

Because I'm in school to study some form of criminology, I started to research the Columbine shooting about 2 months ago. Having read roughly 500 pages of the Columbine Report (which is basically an 11,000 page report containing interviews and such from the teachers and students that were present at Columbine High School on April 20th, 1999), I knew that Cassie Bernall was NOT asked the infamous "Do you believe in God?" question so when I saw the title of this book, I was a bit curious as to why Cassie's mother would sort of "cash in" on the rumors/myths surrounding the shooting death of her daughter. I bought the book in hopes that it would answer my question. And here is what I learned.

The truth is (and believe me, I'm not trying to preach about my views on religion... I'm trying to express my views on this book by debunking the Columbine myths that make this book not credible), a girl named Valeen was asked the "Do you believe in God?" question. She at first said no, then said I don't know, then said yes. When asked by Eric Harris why she believed in God, her response was something along the lines of "Because that was how my parents taught me". She was shot but survived. The only thing that was said to Cassie was "peek-a-boo". It is highly disturbing in my opinion that the ignorant public (led on by the media) including, apparently, Cassie's mother (in the book she says "People say that nothing happens without a purpose--that perhaps Cassie was fulfilling a divine plan, or that in standing up for her beliefs, she was being used by God to further His kingdom. At a certain level, I take comfort in these thoughts. They give meaning to what others have called a "senseless" tragedy, and remind me that a life cut short need not to be a wasted life."), attempt to make Cassie's death more admirable than the other 12 innocent victims. If Valeen had not survived, I'm sure that people would disregard the fact that she said "no" at first. Because, apparently, being religious makes one's death more honorable than those who are not religious.

Look, the book isn't written badly. However, the title of the book and the deep inferences that suggest Cassie died because of her religion honestly disgust me. Those who do not know the truth behind her death will be lead to believe that she WAS asked the question, said yes, and ultimately paid the price by losing her life. This book is NOT supposed to be fiction. So to write it the way it was written make parts of the book lies.

That being said, had the book been mainly about the alleged question she was asked and her answer, I would have easily given this book 1 or 2 stars. But because Misty explains everything from the highlights AND the lowlights in Cassie's life (including Cassie's struggles with wanting to murder her parents) and she admits that Cassie would be upset that people are labeling her a martyr, I found myself able to get through the book rather quickly. Further, "She Said Yes" made me think about my own life and what I would want people to remember me for. For that, I chose to give this book 3 stars.

I'd recommend this book if you want to learn more about the Columbine massacre. The average person must know, however, that although Cassie might've said yes if she was asked the question, the fact is that she wasn't.

41 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Martyr for money?, October 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom Of Cassie Bernall (Hardcover)

Christians would have us believe that decades after the events of the life of Jesus that the New Testament was written with perfect accuracy. But the Cassie Bernall story shows how in only a matter of months, an urban legend has grown to suit the mythology of christianity.

The questions of whether Bernall said *anything at all* at the time of the shooting was known when the first stories broke. Now it's becoming more and more apparent that in the confusion of that tragic event, Bernall was confused with another girl.

Yet the christians want their martyr and the publisher is making money. Apparently "god" has blessed this story with cash and truth went to hell.

If christians can't even get a story right when the events are recent and have grown an urban myth to suit their beliefs, why should any of us believe the New Testament is accurate in the least?

This book is hype and myth with little to no substance. Even the Bernall family has issued an "apology" though they refuse to let go of this very profitable fiction.

45 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The even MORE unlikely martyrdom, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom Of Cassie Bernall (Hardcover)

This book is not moving well in the neighborhood bookstores around the Columbine area, because everyone knows the truth is not contained between its covers. The girl who really DID say "Yes." has suffered for the printing of this book. It was dishonest for the publisher to proceed with publication once the police informed them of the truth. This book does a grave disservice to the memory of Cassie Bernall, trying to force her into false martyrdom.