Rachel's Tears: 10th Anniversary Edition

The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott

Trade Paper

"I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus . . . If I have to sacrifice everything . . . I will." -Rachel Scott

The Columbine tragedy in April 1999 pierced the heart of our country. We later learned that the teenage killers specifically targeted Rachel Scott and mocked her Christian faith on their chilling, homemade videotapes. Rachel Scott died for her faith. Now her parents talk about Rachel's life and how they have found meaning in their daughter's martyrdom in the aftermath of the school shooting. Rachel's Tears comes from a heartfelt need to celebrate this young girl's life, to work through the grief and the questions of a nation, and to comfort those who have been touched by violence in our schools today. Using excerpts and drawings from Rachel's own journals, her parents offer a spiritual perspective on the Columbine tragedy and provide a vision of hope for preventing youth violence across the nation.

>My review:

What a sweet and lovely tribute to a daughter who died too soon and certainly in a senseless way. I was a little leery to read this book, as I’m the mother of two teenage daughters. I wasn’t sure what type of information or details would be included and I was pleasantly surprised by what it contained. What I found was a book written by two parents trying to make sure people didn’t forget about the people involved in the Columbine tragedy, and most importantly, show that there is HOPE and PEACE in Christ! They share stories about their daughter and share stories from her journal. Rachel’s faith in Christ was amazingly intimate and not one you’d expect for such someone her age.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for teens and adults. I would hope that if I was presented with such a tragedy, I would present myself the way this family has.

“I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)