Rating: 
Summary: inspiration
Review: I could not put this book down, though I did have to stop reading at times when it got too emotional. I couldn't believe how much this book got to me, but it did. Webster's defines a martyr as "one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce his religion". If Rachel Scott, affirming her belief in God with a gun to her head, is not a martyr, I don't know who is. Rachel, like every other mortal, wasn't perfect, and nowhere in the book suggested that she was. She did, however, do her best to let Jesus shine through her. She was honest with herself, and very self-critical, always looking for ways to better serve God. She learned lessons along the way as everyone does. Most admirably in my opinion, she walked the walk rather than talk the talk. Her parents, too, are an inspiration. I can't imagine how terrible it would've been to be in their shoes having lost their daughter to such a senseless act of violence. Through all their grief and anger, they've somehow found it in their hearts to forgive the two killers. I admit they're much stronger than I. There's no way I could ever forgive the people who intentionally killed my child. I still gasp in disbelief that a few people actually gave this one star. Their rantings and ravings clearly point to a deep rooted hatred of Christianity. One reviewer even accused Rachel's parents of pushing right-wing propaganda through the pages. I'm assuming this reviewer was referring to the section in which Rachel's father said he doesn't blame guns for his daughter's death. I guess her father's honest opinion is "right wing propaganda" if you don't agree with it. This book is a source of inspiration, hope, and renewed faith in God and the human spirit. There are two sides to every story. There is the negative, awful side of Columbine which we know all too well about. This book deals with the positive side, about the wonderful life of Rachel and her fellow students for the years and years they were alive. Instead of focusing on one terrible day in history, April 20, 1999, Rachel's parents choose to focus on the years they were lucky enough to spend with her. To this book's detractors, I ask you why you question the facts presented in this book? Dave Sanders, the Columbine teacher, was killed helping students to safety. Isaiah Shoels, a black student, was killed as the killers yelled racial obscenities at him. Others were killed because they were athletes. You don't seem to question the motives behind these killings. Yet when at least two of the victims were killed because of their Christian faith, you immediately denounce it as a lie. I ask you why you single out Christian martyrdom for your criticism, and not the causes of the other murders. Does this reflect your own hatred of Christianity, leading you to instantly denounce any bit of evidence that might serve to uphold the religion? Go watch "Bowling for Columbine" for the 500th time...you won't have to hear anything about Rachel Scott or her Christian faith. For those of us with feelings, emotions, and loving families, this book will leave you spellbound. You don't need to be Christian to read this...Rachel's honest faith and her reflecting lifestyle is enough to move you.
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