360 books
—
82 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall” as Want to Read:
She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall
by
In a perverse celebration of Hitler's birthday, two heavily armed students stormed through a Colorado school on April 20, 1999, killing as many people as they could. Confronting 17-year-old Cassie Bernall, they put a gun to her head and asked: Do you believe in God? She said Yes. The killer laughed and pulled the trigger. Around the world, people hailed Cassie as a modern
...more
Paperback, 140 pages
Published
January 1st 2002
by Plough Publishing House
(first published September 9th 1999)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
She Said Yes,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about She Said Yes
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall
There is one big problem with this book: the event that caused it to be written turned out to have been a misunderstanding. Cassie never had the chance to say yes, so the martyrdom never happened.
And yet the book is surprisingly well written, an engrossing and insightful read. That event is actually a relatively small part of the book, and the rest is quite winning. There is a whole lot here to love.
Of the Columbine memoirs I've read--which is most of them--this one is the best. ...more
And yet the book is surprisingly well written, an engrossing and insightful read. That event is actually a relatively small part of the book, and the rest is quite winning. There is a whole lot here to love.
Of the Columbine memoirs I've read--which is most of them--this one is the best. ...more
I read She Said Yes a couple years back when I was around thirteen, and thought it was one of the most moving books I’ve ever read. Then, back in April, I found out that Cassie’s “martyrdom” was all a lie, and I wanted to read the book again to mind myself of exactly what Bernall lied about.
Once I finished the biography/autobiography, I started discussing what really happened with my father, and we both came to the conclusion that, (a) as Bernell said, she wrote this book just weeks after her da ...more
Once I finished the biography/autobiography, I started discussing what really happened with my father, and we both came to the conclusion that, (a) as Bernell said, she wrote this book just weeks after her da ...more
I have to say that i was very suprised by this book. I was expecting it to be a sappy story about how perfect Cassie was and how God took a perfect angel and all of that. I was really suprised at how "real" Cassie was...that she had her own troubles and really struggled to fit in and find herself. She wasn't a "holy roller" or a "Jesus Freak" but rather a troubled girl who was just starting to really find herself. Overall, a very touching story that needs to be read by any teenage girl who is ha
...more
Dec 15, 2008
Daniella
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
Jesus freaks; people who gawk at freeway accidents and train wrecks.
Shelves:
biographies,
hated
This book was absolutely repulsive to me. I think the only book I hated more was that steaming pile of word-vomit called The Da Vinci Code, but my hatred for that is due to the fact that Dan Brown is a hack who should have his hands crippled lest he ever write again, whereas I hate She Said Yes because I find it morally repugnant. Yes, morally. And I'll tell you why: poor Cassie wasn't even cold in her grave before mommy dearest started writing this tear-jerking, heart-wrenching, surefire moneym
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I forgot all about this book until someone mentioned it earlier today. I was a senior in TX when Columbine happened but I am from Colorado and had family here. I've been back in Colorado for over 14 years and have lived fairly close to Columbine for the last 7 yrs or so. Honestly, it's really weird to drive by it, go to Clement Park, etc. My step-nephew actually attends the school.
Anyway, I read this somewhere between 2001-20013. A lady at work gave it to me as she went to the same church as the ...more
Anyway, I read this somewhere between 2001-20013. A lady at work gave it to me as she went to the same church as the ...more
Remember when this book was all anyone could talk about anywhere, for several months after its publication? Back then, when the nation was reeling after the Columbine High School shooting, it was a poignant and emotional book that contained quite a bit of insight about one of the victims, Cassie Bernall, and the martyr she apparently became.
But perhaps everyone was too blinded by the recent tragedy to criticize it. Or, perhaps, I am looking at the She Said Yes now with 15 years' hindsight and a ...more
But perhaps everyone was too blinded by the recent tragedy to criticize it. Or, perhaps, I am looking at the She Said Yes now with 15 years' hindsight and a ...more
Considering the fact that this entire book is a lie, I refuse to read it. Val Schnurr was the actual survivor that said yes (three different accounts prove that Cassie did NOT say anything before being killed.) Misty was spoken to privately before the book was published, yet still decided to go public with her lie. Way to collect off your child's death and another's suffering. You take the cake, Misty, for most manipulative Mom of the decade, for spewing an untruth to spread your religion, and m
...more
I am with many other reviewers when I say that overall, the message of this book is positive. It's best not to think that actually the very basis of the title is based on lies - Cassie wasn't ever asked by Eric and Dylan if she believed in god; that was another student named Rachel Scott - more that it's the journey of a mother who has lost her beautiful, intelligent daughter in the worst possible way, and the way she deals with this. I can't say the writing was particularly fantastic, but then
...more
After reading Columbine by Dave Cullen, I decided to pick up She Said Yes. This was a widely popular book in my classroom for quite a while following the tragedy at Columbine, but in recent years, I haven't seen anyone reading it. As I read Bernall's book, I questioned her words. While her perception of her daughter and her grief are hers alone, and I would never belittle that, I still had my doubts. Was Cassie really a martyr? Or was she just another senseless death in a school shooting that co
...more
She Said Yes is an amazing book! I would recommend this book to ANYbody who wouldn't be bothered talking about death, satanic subjects, drugs, alchol, God, etc. It tells how a young, 17 year old girl, gets caught up in drugs, alchol, Satan, and pretty much the wrong crowd. Her mom puts her into a private school, and then allows her to attend Columbine. The tragic Columbine event happened as she was attending. Her short, 17 year, life ended for believing in God. If you want to know the rest, read
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I bought this book today, read it in four hours, and wanted to write my review instantly.
I was already aware that it's been determined that Cassie's story may not be entirely true. The story got jumbled by many students. Cassie was not the girl asked if she believed in God, and the girl who was didn't give the famous confident "Yes" everyone is in a roar about.
But I still wanted to read this book anyway; and I'm glad I did.
Though this book doesn't offer the true story, it does offer a spiritual ...more
I was already aware that it's been determined that Cassie's story may not be entirely true. The story got jumbled by many students. Cassie was not the girl asked if she believed in God, and the girl who was didn't give the famous confident "Yes" everyone is in a roar about.
But I still wanted to read this book anyway; and I'm glad I did.
Though this book doesn't offer the true story, it does offer a spiritual ...more
Cassie Burnall is one of the many students who was killed on the day of the Columbine School shooting. Her mother wrote the book and talks about the morning and how she watched her daughter go off to school, just a few hours later, Cassie was gone. This book talks about how Cassie had went through a rough time in her life and often thought of suicide. After her mother found notes Cassie had wrote to a friend, Cassie got help and worked through it and became a believer in God.
The book is called ...more
The book is called ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I bought this book and finished it - all today. I found it eerie that although I didn't know, I picked this book up on the anniversary of the shootings at Columbine. I can't even begin to tell you how in awe I am of how it was exactly what I needed to hear today. God works in profound ways. I think we are all a little bit like Cassie and like Misty (her mother) said, her story did not end when she said yes. Her story (and most importantly God's story) continues on into what we take and use from
...more
I enjoyed this book, and it actually made me question my own beleifs on my own life, how I act around my parents, friends and basically everyone I know. This book even made me question my beleifs in god, and religion in general. Although we think that when a martyr is named we don't always know their whole back-story and what they have gone through in their life. I respected Cassie Bernall that much more after completely reading through this book. It was a little repetitive at times, but it was
...more
Wow. This book was so sad. It was amazing how her life was, but it was so sad. She was only 17 when she was murdered. She never got the chance to go to college, or even graduate from High School. She was never able to get married, or have kids or have a life. But she died for a worthy cause. How many people would have said "Yes" if someone put a gun to their head and asked them if they believed in God? I recommend this book, but if you get really emotional over sad stories, this is one of them.
...more
I found this book to be a bit boring. I feel terrible saying that and only giving it one star, but as someone who is interested in the victims of the Columbine tragedy, I found it to be disappointing. I felt as if Cassie's mother wrote this to make a buck off her daughter.
I might be wrong, please don't be harsh. It's just my opinion ...more
I might be wrong, please don't be harsh. It's just my opinion ...more
The 17 year old Martyr
By:Allison
February 17th, 2015
Do you believe in God? Because Cassie Bernall said “Yes”
In this book She Said Yes Cassie Bernall, a 17 year old girl stood up for what she believed in even with a gun pointed directly at her. This book’s author was Cassie’s mother Misty Bernall.
Two high school boys named Dylan and Eric were the shooters and bombers at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. They killed 15 people including themselves. Many people were injured and almost c ...more
By:Allison
February 17th, 2015
Do you believe in God? Because Cassie Bernall said “Yes”
In this book She Said Yes Cassie Bernall, a 17 year old girl stood up for what she believed in even with a gun pointed directly at her. This book’s author was Cassie’s mother Misty Bernall.
Two high school boys named Dylan and Eric were the shooters and bombers at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. They killed 15 people including themselves. Many people were injured and almost c ...more
She Said Yes is the story of Cassie Bernall, a 17 year old girl who was killed in the Columbine High School shooting. The story is told by her mother and includes the last few years of Cassie's life and how she had gone through a complete change in attitude. She was in a really bad place and had a horrible relationship with her family. Her parents find letters from a friend detailing how they should kill them and that's when they realize how bad things had gotten. The story goes through what her
...more
I think Philip Yancy's quote on the back cover says it all. "Behind the scenes of Cassie Bernall's martyrdom is a story that will chill the heart of every parent - but also bring a strong gust of hope."
A quote from the book:
"It is also easier to get angry, to point fingers, or to lose oneself in what the media calls the 'larger' issues. In the wake of Columbine that has meant gun control and video games, school security and Hollywood violence, preventative education and separation of church and ...more
A quote from the book:
"It is also easier to get angry, to point fingers, or to lose oneself in what the media calls the 'larger' issues. In the wake of Columbine that has meant gun control and video games, school security and Hollywood violence, preventative education and separation of church and ...more
Alright, I don't really know where to begin with this book. This is a reread for myself. I read this book years ago when I was maybe 11-12 and really took to this book. This is a book that really took to me when I was younger. It moved me and made me think about a lot of different things I hadn't before. Now,as a adult it's moved me in different ways because now I understand what I didn't back then.
This book is based around the events following after the Columbine shooting back in April 1999. I ...more
This book is based around the events following after the Columbine shooting back in April 1999. I ...more
She Said "yes" by Misty Bernall is a very sad book. The young girl Cassie Bernall that got shot and killed in the first columbine ever in Columbine High School was a very innocent young girl. I could just imagine the scene of when the shooter holds Cassie at gunpoint when she is crouched down under the library table and asks her if she believes in god. Meanwhile Cassie responds "no" thinking its the write answer to not get shot in the head. Seconds later the trigger is pulled and Cassie Bernall'
...more
There are problems with the book, I recognize that. In addition, I did notice that they did force her into religion (which, people do, like it or not... and it seemed like they were trying to say that God "saved" her). However, the parts of the book that I especially liked are the ones that dealt with her troubles. Teens go through problems (depression being a major one), bad things happen to good people, and it IS a tragedy. The book is an easy read, however it is obviously a controversial one.
...more
I first read this book when I was 14 and I had a strong feeling to reread it again this past year. I didn't realize 2019 was the 20th year of Columbine until after rereading the story.
Cassie's story is relatable for parents as Misty is wonderful at her honesty at what it was like raising Cassie and the struggles she and her husband faced. Misty recounts not only the day of Cassie's death but everything leading up to that moment. Cassie struggled with peers. She was walking on the wrong path. Bu ...more
Cassie's story is relatable for parents as Misty is wonderful at her honesty at what it was like raising Cassie and the struggles she and her husband faced. Misty recounts not only the day of Cassie's death but everything leading up to that moment. Cassie struggled with peers. She was walking on the wrong path. Bu ...more
She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall by Misty Bernall is the story of Cassie Bernall, and how she was brave enough to stand up for her faith in the face of literal terror and death. And her mother wrote this story to talk about how her daughter came to her faith and became the woman she was when she was murdered. Unfortunately, I feel as though... I disagree with a lot of the personal choices that Misty and her husband, Brad, made throughout the book, especially when it came to
...more
I read this book in one day. That means it both kept my attention and was an easy read. Though it was a bit scattered in form, it was still a very engaging true story showing what it's like to be on the inside of a tragedy like this. (We see so much violence of that kind today, it's unbelievable.)
But more than the actual shooting, the book focuses on the life of Cassie Bernall, and the dark struggles she experienced before her untimely death. She was a troubled and yet very normal girl. And I wa ...more
But more than the actual shooting, the book focuses on the life of Cassie Bernall, and the dark struggles she experienced before her untimely death. She was a troubled and yet very normal girl. And I wa ...more
For those of faith, this may be uplifting, but it has been debunked in the book Columbine by. Dave Cullen, that it was in fact a different girl who said she believed in God (note: she survived) during the shooting in the library.
So as far as accuracy, it isn't spot on -and although I was not crazy about this book- I think it was probably an important tribute to this young woman and helpful in the grieving/healing process of her loved ones.
I make no claims of having been there or knowing what any ...more
So as far as accuracy, it isn't spot on -and although I was not crazy about this book- I think it was probably an important tribute to this young woman and helpful in the grieving/healing process of her loved ones.
I make no claims of having been there or knowing what any ...more
Oct 26, 2008
Jessica
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
all teens
Recommended to Jessica by:
libby domer
Shelves:
book-club
She Said Yes is one of my favorite books now. Its about a girl who died in the shootings at columbine high school all because she said yes when they asked her if she believed in god. This book really made me think about what I would say if I was in that situation and also where I stand with god. This was an awsome book and I think everyone should read it because you will definatly have a different perspective on life after reading it.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDCHS Advanced Re...: She Said Yes- Hannah Limburg | 1 | 3 | Dec 11, 2014 07:08PM | |
| BDCHS Advanced Re...: She said yes- ariellee villarini | 1 | 5 | Nov 12, 2014 11:35AM | |
| Little Falls High...: She Said Yes | 5 | 25 | Jan 28, 2013 06:53PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Related Articles
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” So, this January, as we celebrate Martin Luther King...
61 likes · 17 comments
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It’s the least I can do for Christ dying for me.”
—
34 likes
“Such anger is a destructive emotion. It eats away at whatever peace you have, and in the end it causes nothing but greater pain that you began with”
—
4 likes
More quotes…
