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Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott
The Columbine tragedy in April 1999 pierced the heart of our country. In December 1999, we 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.
181 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 1999
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About the author
Beth Nimmo
3Ìýbooks13ÌýfollowersBeth Nimmo is the mother of Rachel Scott, the first victim killed at Columbine High School. Beth is the author of The Journals of Rachel Scott.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
August 30, 2016
*4 Stars*
I read this book a few months back and somehow couldn't find the words to properly review it. Many parts left me feeling depleted, solemn, and disturbed. But I was also immensely inspired.
Rachel's Tears � a heartbreaking but enlightening telling of the Columbine massacre � provides you with an uncomfortable front row seat to the horrific story behind the story. This touching memoir focuses on a young girl's journey to faith, and her unfortunate, untimely, and heinous execution for embracing that faith.
I remember following this story in stunned silence as it happened, along with the rest of the world. But these haunting pages brought a certain raw reality to that savagely heartbreaking attack.
There are other accounts of this story, told through various perspectives � but this book in particular offers honest insight of the events, and centers around Rachel: a young, kindhearted Christian girl, who was still finding her way in life through God. Her good-natured spirit and staggering wisdom became the driving force of this memoir.
This story is told from the perspective of Rachel's parents, whose unconditional love and pride for their daughter seemed to exceed even the pinnacle of their pain. Although their suffering is evident, their message stands as a ray of hope � not as a portal for despair.
There are excerpts of Rachel's poetry and journal entries included, as well as images of her beautiful, alarmingly intuitive drawings. These excerpts brought Rachel and her story to life in a visual and almost tangible way, and instantly became the most inspiring aspects.
Rachel's life may have been unjustly cut short, but her death was not in vain. Rachel leaves behind her legacy: a legacy of hope, faith and goodness � to which this book will remain a true testament.
I read this book a few months back and somehow couldn't find the words to properly review it. Many parts left me feeling depleted, solemn, and disturbed. But I was also immensely inspired.
Rachel's Tears � a heartbreaking but enlightening telling of the Columbine massacre � provides you with an uncomfortable front row seat to the horrific story behind the story. This touching memoir focuses on a young girl's journey to faith, and her unfortunate, untimely, and heinous execution for embracing that faith.
I remember following this story in stunned silence as it happened, along with the rest of the world. But these haunting pages brought a certain raw reality to that savagely heartbreaking attack.
There are other accounts of this story, told through various perspectives � but this book in particular offers honest insight of the events, and centers around Rachel: a young, kindhearted Christian girl, who was still finding her way in life through God. Her good-natured spirit and staggering wisdom became the driving force of this memoir.
This story is told from the perspective of Rachel's parents, whose unconditional love and pride for their daughter seemed to exceed even the pinnacle of their pain. Although their suffering is evident, their message stands as a ray of hope � not as a portal for despair.
There are excerpts of Rachel's poetry and journal entries included, as well as images of her beautiful, alarmingly intuitive drawings. These excerpts brought Rachel and her story to life in a visual and almost tangible way, and instantly became the most inspiring aspects.
Rachel's life may have been unjustly cut short, but her death was not in vain. Rachel leaves behind her legacy: a legacy of hope, faith and goodness � to which this book will remain a true testament.
December 21, 2017
It's difficult to give a book like this a low rating due to the subject matter.
Rachel Scott who tragically died in the Columbine school massacre, has been heralded as a martyr in this book. The author, Rachel's father, paints a picture of an almost saintly girl who inspired everyone around her and spent her time reaching out to the waifs and strays in American society. Some of the portrait may be true, there are certainly testimonies from those who were impacted by Rachel's life and witness. It is also clear that she had a sincere faith in God and was seeking to live her life according to His Will. We can be confident that she was a Christian and that she has gone to be with Jesus now.
It is really her parents and other people that let the side down somewhat. Their theology is questionable, and worrying as her father was a pastor...Having read the extracts from her diaries, I don't think Rachel herself would have wanted to be made into a saint. She was a normal teenage girl who was working out her faith on a daily basis. Her father claims that one of the gun-men asked her whether she believed in God and then shot her when she stood up for her faith. Other accounts have questioned this and suggested that she was smoking on the school field with a friend when she died.
Another friend suggested that Rachel wasn't trying to imitate Jesus or follow Him but was rather allowing Jesus to live through her and that this is what we should all be doing....I don't think this can be reconciled with Scripture. Her father also expresses some odd views about forgiveness stating that he would kill the offenders if he had the chance to get his daughter back. This might be an understandable emotional response for a parent, but from a Christian? There were other strange views expressed as well.
I found it difficult to really get into this as only one side of the picture of Rachel's life is presented and there is a lot of repetition as the parents give their own accounts of what happened and they are similar.
This book was okay, but not very objective. Rachel's diary entries alone may inspire some and challenge them, but maybe without the parents comments running alongside. We can all agree that it was a terrible tragedy for this family and others.
There is no overt bad language, but the author often uses the first letter of various swear words with the correct number of letters blanked out to allow a reader to figure out the word. This isn't helpful as a reader will hear the word in their mind. There are obviously violent scenes although they are not graphic and there is no graphic sexual content.
Rachel Scott who tragically died in the Columbine school massacre, has been heralded as a martyr in this book. The author, Rachel's father, paints a picture of an almost saintly girl who inspired everyone around her and spent her time reaching out to the waifs and strays in American society. Some of the portrait may be true, there are certainly testimonies from those who were impacted by Rachel's life and witness. It is also clear that she had a sincere faith in God and was seeking to live her life according to His Will. We can be confident that she was a Christian and that she has gone to be with Jesus now.
It is really her parents and other people that let the side down somewhat. Their theology is questionable, and worrying as her father was a pastor...Having read the extracts from her diaries, I don't think Rachel herself would have wanted to be made into a saint. She was a normal teenage girl who was working out her faith on a daily basis. Her father claims that one of the gun-men asked her whether she believed in God and then shot her when she stood up for her faith. Other accounts have questioned this and suggested that she was smoking on the school field with a friend when she died.
Another friend suggested that Rachel wasn't trying to imitate Jesus or follow Him but was rather allowing Jesus to live through her and that this is what we should all be doing....I don't think this can be reconciled with Scripture. Her father also expresses some odd views about forgiveness stating that he would kill the offenders if he had the chance to get his daughter back. This might be an understandable emotional response for a parent, but from a Christian? There were other strange views expressed as well.
I found it difficult to really get into this as only one side of the picture of Rachel's life is presented and there is a lot of repetition as the parents give their own accounts of what happened and they are similar.
This book was okay, but not very objective. Rachel's diary entries alone may inspire some and challenge them, but maybe without the parents comments running alongside. We can all agree that it was a terrible tragedy for this family and others.
There is no overt bad language, but the author often uses the first letter of various swear words with the correct number of letters blanked out to allow a reader to figure out the word. This isn't helpful as a reader will hear the word in their mind. There are obviously violent scenes although they are not graphic and there is no graphic sexual content.
July 18, 2012
I do not give this a rating of merely 2 stars very lightly. To take Rachel's story and to rate it so low would be a travesty and diservice to her memory. However, to me, this was not Rachel's story, but her grieving parents' request to bring Christ to the classroom.
I am a public educator. I have seen "Rachel's Challenge." However, in the final pages, both of her parents state that including religion back into public education might have prevented this.
I'm sorry, but it's not that simple.
And for that I give this book 2 stars.
I am a public educator. I have seen "Rachel's Challenge." However, in the final pages, both of her parents state that including religion back into public education might have prevented this.
I'm sorry, but it's not that simple.
And for that I give this book 2 stars.
May 25, 2014
I have gone back & forth on whether or not to review this book. It is a deeply personal reveal of mourning for Rachel Scott's family. I mean no disrespect to the family in my opinion of this book, but I found it difficult to read - and believe.
In the years following the tragedy of Columbine, more information has come out about each of the victims. What has been revealed of Rachel Scott is that she was a target of the two gunman for her beliefs, and her reputation that conflicted with them. It was reported she was outside during lunch, smoking a cigarette with a friend when she was murdered. There was no mention she had the opportunity to speak, not until this book saying she was the one who was martyred for her beliefs by one final statement of standing by them. I felt that her parents wanted to believe this version of her last moments, rather than what is widely reported. The book read as a desperate need for Rachel's family to erase her reputation, and replace it with an image of a wise & compassionate saint. They chose snapshots of their daughter's most private thoughts to create that image, making it feel pretentious and contrived. I also noticed many comparisons her family made between Rachel and Cassie Bernall, another victim whose death was turned into martyrdom by her family. Rachel's family made sure to point out Cassie Bernall's interest in the occult, and her reputation for practicing Satanism, as if to make Rachel the more vertible martyr.
With every page, I had to remind myself this book was about a teenager - a child. I questioned the rationality of her parents exposing their daughter's secrets such as her sexual behavior, drug use, and secrets she both confided in them, and in her journals. I ended up with a sadness of how her life was ended, and how her memory was used. Her family knows Rachel best, and how she would feel of this book being written, but as a reader, I didn't feel I learned who Rachel Scott was, just what her family wanted her to be.
Every victim of the Columbine tragedy leaves behind a memory that is no more or less impactful than the other. Most of them had yet to realize what their life was meant to be, just starting out on the journey to discovering themselves. Turning them into martyrs, as if their death had more meaning than their peers who lost their own life, somehow seems obscene to me. If this wasn't written by Rachel Scott's parents, I would have felt outrage that such a young child, victim to a national tragedy, was exploited. I didn't feel a sense of spiritual growth or enlightenment by reading this, only a question of why this book was necessary. It cannot be erased how Rachel Scott died, and it just feels like that was the motivation for this book to come about. It's impossible not to feel such deep pain for her family, especially when their grief is made as public as this, as it exposed a sense of their denial, anger, and resentment. Their emotions are a little too raw for it to translate well to readers, leaving who Rachel Scott truly was lost in that translation.
In the years following the tragedy of Columbine, more information has come out about each of the victims. What has been revealed of Rachel Scott is that she was a target of the two gunman for her beliefs, and her reputation that conflicted with them. It was reported she was outside during lunch, smoking a cigarette with a friend when she was murdered. There was no mention she had the opportunity to speak, not until this book saying she was the one who was martyred for her beliefs by one final statement of standing by them. I felt that her parents wanted to believe this version of her last moments, rather than what is widely reported. The book read as a desperate need for Rachel's family to erase her reputation, and replace it with an image of a wise & compassionate saint. They chose snapshots of their daughter's most private thoughts to create that image, making it feel pretentious and contrived. I also noticed many comparisons her family made between Rachel and Cassie Bernall, another victim whose death was turned into martyrdom by her family. Rachel's family made sure to point out Cassie Bernall's interest in the occult, and her reputation for practicing Satanism, as if to make Rachel the more vertible martyr.
With every page, I had to remind myself this book was about a teenager - a child. I questioned the rationality of her parents exposing their daughter's secrets such as her sexual behavior, drug use, and secrets she both confided in them, and in her journals. I ended up with a sadness of how her life was ended, and how her memory was used. Her family knows Rachel best, and how she would feel of this book being written, but as a reader, I didn't feel I learned who Rachel Scott was, just what her family wanted her to be.
Every victim of the Columbine tragedy leaves behind a memory that is no more or less impactful than the other. Most of them had yet to realize what their life was meant to be, just starting out on the journey to discovering themselves. Turning them into martyrs, as if their death had more meaning than their peers who lost their own life, somehow seems obscene to me. If this wasn't written by Rachel Scott's parents, I would have felt outrage that such a young child, victim to a national tragedy, was exploited. I didn't feel a sense of spiritual growth or enlightenment by reading this, only a question of why this book was necessary. It cannot be erased how Rachel Scott died, and it just feels like that was the motivation for this book to come about. It's impossible not to feel such deep pain for her family, especially when their grief is made as public as this, as it exposed a sense of their denial, anger, and resentment. Their emotions are a little too raw for it to translate well to readers, leaving who Rachel Scott truly was lost in that translation.
July 14, 2009
I almost want to label this as fiction. As a Christian myself, I have no probllem with stories of people who truly act the Christian way, but in more fact-laden books, like Dave Cullen's investigative account of the whole incident, it was revealed that Rachel's incident never happened. I suppose people believe what they want to, and my heart goes out to her parents, who felt that her death should be immortalized somehow, in the midst of a senseless act of violence.
May 9, 2012
Stephanie Jones
Biography
I am still speechless after reading this book. It really hit home and made me realize how cruel the world can be. Rachel Joy Scott was an ordinary, fun-loving teenager, but she had a major strike against her- she was a Christian. Two of her fellow male classmates constantly ridiculed her, and Rachel even lost friends because of her beliefs. In this book, the people who knew her best share the final days of Rachel’s life through their thoughts and her own personal thoughts and drawings from her journal. Because of her faith, she lost her life in the tragic 1999 shooting at Columbine High School. The killers asked Rachel while she ate lunch with a friend if she loved God and she replied yes and was shot and killed. Reading this story made me seriously think about what I would do if I were in that position. I could definitely relate to Rachel when she said, "God is going to use me to reach young people. I don't know how, I don't know when..."
Biography
I am still speechless after reading this book. It really hit home and made me realize how cruel the world can be. Rachel Joy Scott was an ordinary, fun-loving teenager, but she had a major strike against her- she was a Christian. Two of her fellow male classmates constantly ridiculed her, and Rachel even lost friends because of her beliefs. In this book, the people who knew her best share the final days of Rachel’s life through their thoughts and her own personal thoughts and drawings from her journal. Because of her faith, she lost her life in the tragic 1999 shooting at Columbine High School. The killers asked Rachel while she ate lunch with a friend if she loved God and she replied yes and was shot and killed. Reading this story made me seriously think about what I would do if I were in that position. I could definitely relate to Rachel when she said, "God is going to use me to reach young people. I don't know how, I don't know when..."
January 25, 2008
I always have one of these on hand because I always end up giving it away. Rachel's story really moves me. The way she wasn't afraid to be different. The way she stood for her faith. It wasn't about April 20, 1999. What was so amazing was how she lived her life everyday. She's an inspiration.
February 28, 2018
Actual rating: 4.5
'I'm Not Ashamed' is one of my favorite movies, so I was doubly interested in reading this book. It was emotional, powerful, gripping, and inspiring. Thank God for believers like Rachel - and may we all take up her challenge to start a chain reaction through compassion and kindness.
'I'm Not Ashamed' is one of my favorite movies, so I was doubly interested in reading this book. It was emotional, powerful, gripping, and inspiring. Thank God for believers like Rachel - and may we all take up her challenge to start a chain reaction through compassion and kindness.
June 26, 2008
Her family came to speak at my school, and while I feel sorry about the tragedy that was Columbine. I found all of this to be a work of bullshit. A hopeful load of crap that seems very fabricated. It is a tragedy these people died, but that's it.
January 5, 2009
"God is going to use me to reach young people. I don't know how, I don't know when..." - Rachel Joy Scott
Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo is about Columbine martyr Rachel Joy Scott. Various people who knew her write about that tragic day and the type of person Rachel was.
Her brother Craig was also there but survived by pretending to be dead. He got up and led people out even though his two best friends were killed. Rachel was eating lunch with a friend when she was shot and killed. Rachel was just like any regular teen. She loved acting and hung out with friends. The only difference was she wasn't afraid to share the gospel and she loved people everyone else made fun of. One boy with a disorder who had no friends met her one day. Rachel asked if he had ever gone on a date. He said no. So she said she would take him on a date. The date never happened because of her death. She kept journals were she wrote to God, in which she wrote a lot about not making it through 1999 {the here of the shooting}. When she talked to people and people talked about her getting married or having kids, she would get quiet and act as if the future was not even going to happen for her. In one of her journals she wrote, "This will be my last year Lord. I have gotten what I can. Thank you." Many times she would talk to Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the gunmen, in classes. One of them supposedly had a crush on her. But it was an on going war. They were violent, and she was kind and loving. She has inspired millions of people because of her death.
The morals of this story is never hide your faith, God can turn something bad into something beautiful, and tommorow is not a promise. Rachel and another girl were asked right before they were shot, did they believe in God. When they answered yes they were shot. Most of the students killed were Christians. On video blogs the killers ranted about hating people with faith. But lots of people have come to light because of them. It is interesting about the people who died that day. At the end of the book, it points out that Years ago, a teacher {Jesus Christ} and his twelve students {the disciples} brought change to the Earth. Twelve students and one teacher were killed at Columbine, changing history forever. The first Teacher was called the "Son of David," and the teacher at Columbine last name was David. The First teacher was called "The Lamb of God". Rachel's name meant lamb. She also preformed a mime to the song "Watch the Lamb." Reading what family and friends wrote about her, Rachel was willing to give up everything. Five of her friends dumped her because she loved God so much. She still would not denounce her faith. She struggled like any other teen, but she always went out seeking the solutions to her problems. Most people would have given up at the start, but Rachel pressed on, spreading joy even when she was in pain. And if that doesn't show faith, then I don't know what does.
Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo is about Columbine martyr Rachel Joy Scott. Various people who knew her write about that tragic day and the type of person Rachel was.
Her brother Craig was also there but survived by pretending to be dead. He got up and led people out even though his two best friends were killed. Rachel was eating lunch with a friend when she was shot and killed. Rachel was just like any regular teen. She loved acting and hung out with friends. The only difference was she wasn't afraid to share the gospel and she loved people everyone else made fun of. One boy with a disorder who had no friends met her one day. Rachel asked if he had ever gone on a date. He said no. So she said she would take him on a date. The date never happened because of her death. She kept journals were she wrote to God, in which she wrote a lot about not making it through 1999 {the here of the shooting}. When she talked to people and people talked about her getting married or having kids, she would get quiet and act as if the future was not even going to happen for her. In one of her journals she wrote, "This will be my last year Lord. I have gotten what I can. Thank you." Many times she would talk to Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the gunmen, in classes. One of them supposedly had a crush on her. But it was an on going war. They were violent, and she was kind and loving. She has inspired millions of people because of her death.
The morals of this story is never hide your faith, God can turn something bad into something beautiful, and tommorow is not a promise. Rachel and another girl were asked right before they were shot, did they believe in God. When they answered yes they were shot. Most of the students killed were Christians. On video blogs the killers ranted about hating people with faith. But lots of people have come to light because of them. It is interesting about the people who died that day. At the end of the book, it points out that Years ago, a teacher {Jesus Christ} and his twelve students {the disciples} brought change to the Earth. Twelve students and one teacher were killed at Columbine, changing history forever. The first Teacher was called the "Son of David," and the teacher at Columbine last name was David. The First teacher was called "The Lamb of God". Rachel's name meant lamb. She also preformed a mime to the song "Watch the Lamb." Reading what family and friends wrote about her, Rachel was willing to give up everything. Five of her friends dumped her because she loved God so much. She still would not denounce her faith. She struggled like any other teen, but she always went out seeking the solutions to her problems. Most people would have given up at the start, but Rachel pressed on, spreading joy even when she was in pain. And if that doesn't show faith, then I don't know what does.
January 12, 2024
I can't describe this book just because of how extremely spiritually impactful it was on me. While it was very sad and I expected it to be, it was very encouraging and uplifting because it encouraged me on many levels. If there's one thing from this book that I'd tell everyone it taught me, it would be to reach out. To step out of my comfort zone and be a blessing to others even if I don't know them because you never know what they're going through and if they just need a smile. It can have an eternal difference and this book really helped me understand that.
Highly highly recommend. It was such a great book and definitely my favorite.
Highly highly recommend. It was such a great book and definitely my favorite.
November 26, 2022
I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, so I immediately picked it up when I saw it at Half Price Books a couple of weeks ago. Ah, her life is such an inspiration. Though she was just a normal teen girl, her passion and desire for God was visible no matter where she went. I feel like her life's moto was Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I loved reading the journal entries of her that were sprinkled throughout. I am SO encouraged to live my life even more sold out for Christ and allow Him to be the center of everything I do. Tomorrow is not promised, but every day is another chance to bring God glory.
I loved reading the journal entries of her that were sprinkled throughout. I am SO encouraged to live my life even more sold out for Christ and allow Him to be the center of everything I do. Tomorrow is not promised, but every day is another chance to bring God glory.
July 13, 2012
I loved this book. I finally started a prayer journal because of this book. This girl's faith, when she was the same age as me, in the face of adversity is SO inspiring. It revealed exactly where I was lacking in my walk with God. It's like shining a spotlight on just the right area in your heart that you haven't completely given to God. EVERY Christian should read this if they want a role model that shows what a TRUE Christian is. When asked what religion they are, people will almost automatically say "I'm a Christian", but what the world usually forgets is that the word "Christian" means "Christ-Like." So how many of us are really Christians???
August 14, 2019
4 stars. I will never forget the first time I heard how Rachel Joy Scott was murdered at Columbine while listening to the famous novel. I'll never forget how hard I cried and how touched I was at her story. Rachel's story has stayed with me. What a blessing to have read this novel which shows a glance into her most intimate reflections with God. Review to come.
May 4, 2010
I'd give this book 10 stars if I could.
I picked this up at a giveaway on Saturday, and finished reading it on Sunday.
The reason I loved this book is because this 17-year-old was consumed by her Lord and allowed Him to work in her, and above all, wasn't too afraid or 'stuck up' to be able to show her light to cast-outs and kids who thought no one loved them. It was very humbling to read how Rachel continually sought God and His will for her, always keeping her eyes upward. Public school must've been tough enough (especially for a Christian), without having to deal with the many worldly temptations such as drinking and cigarettes.
This young lady was truly a woman after God's own heart, and right now she is wearing a martyr's robe. I can't wait to meet her in Heaven!!!!
The book itself was written by Rachel's father and mother, who both spoke about the root problems that really caused the terrible shooting at Columbine High school that day in 1999. It wasn't inadequate gun laws, or not enough security measures, etc. Mr. Scott spoke of the day in 1963 when prayer was taken out of schools, and about the almost non-existent quality--or quantity-- time parents spend with their children, building in them a Godly heritage and simply letting them know how much they love them.
They spoke about the need for us to just have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, instead of focusing on legalism. If we will only seek His will for us individually, we will be able to do such great things for Him!
I picked this up at a giveaway on Saturday, and finished reading it on Sunday.
The reason I loved this book is because this 17-year-old was consumed by her Lord and allowed Him to work in her, and above all, wasn't too afraid or 'stuck up' to be able to show her light to cast-outs and kids who thought no one loved them. It was very humbling to read how Rachel continually sought God and His will for her, always keeping her eyes upward. Public school must've been tough enough (especially for a Christian), without having to deal with the many worldly temptations such as drinking and cigarettes.
This young lady was truly a woman after God's own heart, and right now she is wearing a martyr's robe. I can't wait to meet her in Heaven!!!!
The book itself was written by Rachel's father and mother, who both spoke about the root problems that really caused the terrible shooting at Columbine High school that day in 1999. It wasn't inadequate gun laws, or not enough security measures, etc. Mr. Scott spoke of the day in 1963 when prayer was taken out of schools, and about the almost non-existent quality--or quantity-- time parents spend with their children, building in them a Godly heritage and simply letting them know how much they love them.
They spoke about the need for us to just have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, instead of focusing on legalism. If we will only seek His will for us individually, we will be able to do such great things for Him!
November 29, 2011
Shots rang out on the campus of Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado the morning of April 20, 1999. Rachel Joy Scott was eating lunch with a friend, Richard Castaldo, just outside the school. She was shot and injured. The gunman, a fellow student, asked her if she still believed in God. She answered “You know I do.� She was shot again, at point blank range to her head. Fatal.
After her death, journals Rachel had kept were found both in her home and in the backpack she had been wearing that fatal morning now bearing the scar of a bullet hole. These journals are the basis for Rachel’s Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott, 10th Anniversary Edition.
Rachel’s Tears will take you on an utterly fascinating journey into the life, love, heart and soul of Rachel Joy Scott. You will become Rachel’s friend and confidant as you read actual excerpts from her journal in her handwriting. You will feel excitement. You will feel pain. You will feel confusion. You will feel peer pressure. You will feel love. And above all, you will feel faith. Rachel’s faith. And passion for Jesus Christ. It will blow you away. It will move you, especially when you learn how faith prepared her for martyrdom.
A must read.
After her death, journals Rachel had kept were found both in her home and in the backpack she had been wearing that fatal morning now bearing the scar of a bullet hole. These journals are the basis for Rachel’s Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott, 10th Anniversary Edition.
Rachel’s Tears will take you on an utterly fascinating journey into the life, love, heart and soul of Rachel Joy Scott. You will become Rachel’s friend and confidant as you read actual excerpts from her journal in her handwriting. You will feel excitement. You will feel pain. You will feel confusion. You will feel peer pressure. You will feel love. And above all, you will feel faith. Rachel’s faith. And passion for Jesus Christ. It will blow you away. It will move you, especially when you learn how faith prepared her for martyrdom.
A must read.
April 12, 2017
Reviews of books like this are always tough to write. It's really easy to come across as callow and judgey, given that the subject I'm writing about was brutally murdered for no good reason at all, so I hope this review comes off as respectful but honest, since this book really did enlighten and uplift me after reading it.
I was led to this book after watching the film "I'm Not Ashamed." While I respect that film (I can't say I ENJOYED it, given the subject), I also felt like it had an agenda to it, instead of just being a genuine depiction of Rachel. (I can objectively see why some people found this book preachy, but it really didn't come off that way to me at all, where the movie totally did.)
This book more than remedies that, giving us an honest look at a young girl going through a profound change at one of the most tumultous times of a persons life. I was emotionally drained after reading this, realizing that, while she left an indelible legacy behind, it's not the legacy she should have had, not the legacy she deserved.
But at the same time it left me feeling uplifted and inspired, knowing that her short life is STILL touching so many people, and will continue to do so.
I was led to this book after watching the film "I'm Not Ashamed." While I respect that film (I can't say I ENJOYED it, given the subject), I also felt like it had an agenda to it, instead of just being a genuine depiction of Rachel. (I can objectively see why some people found this book preachy, but it really didn't come off that way to me at all, where the movie totally did.)
This book more than remedies that, giving us an honest look at a young girl going through a profound change at one of the most tumultous times of a persons life. I was emotionally drained after reading this, realizing that, while she left an indelible legacy behind, it's not the legacy she should have had, not the legacy she deserved.
But at the same time it left me feeling uplifted and inspired, knowing that her short life is STILL touching so many people, and will continue to do so.
August 18, 2014
I had heard so much commotion about this book and I knew it would have to be put on my list of 'to read' only I wish I had read it sooner! Rachel inspired me in such a magnificent way, her ability to speak to God in a way I never even thought was possible really made me look at my own faith! It really was beautiful and I will most certainly read it again sometime! Please read this, you can make up your own mind about it but it won't waste your time!! God can love you in a special way that Rachel acknowledged and with her mature mindset she conquered a very engaged and strength provided faith! Very thought-provoking!
July 27, 2009
Ummm, I guess it was okay. I did like the columbine exerts and the forgiveness aspect, but it was REALLY over the top preachy and "Jesus-y." Even being religious myself, I found it too much. I skipped TONS of it and skimmed lots of it.
March 20, 2019
Bardzo lubię książki z tematyką strzelanin, bo temat ten bardzo mnie interesuje. Właśnie dlatego sięgnęłam po tę pozycję.
Z jednej strony się rozczarowałam, bo oczekiwałam trochę więcej wydarzeń z samej strzelaniny, ale z drugiej strony nie mogę powiedzieć, że pozycja ta mnie rozczarowała.
Trzeba zdawać sobie sprawę z tego, że pojawia się tutaj mnóstwo wątków religijnych. Książka tak naprawdę skupia się głównie na wierze bohaterki. I tego powinniśmy od niej oczekiwać.
Z jednej strony się rozczarowałam, bo oczekiwałam trochę więcej wydarzeń z samej strzelaniny, ale z drugiej strony nie mogę powiedzieć, że pozycja ta mnie rozczarowała.
Trzeba zdawać sobie sprawę z tego, że pojawia się tutaj mnóstwo wątków religijnych. Książka tak naprawdę skupia się głównie na wierze bohaterki. I tego powinniśmy od niej oczekiwać.
May 26, 2014
The book Rachel's Tears by Darrell Scott was a great nonfiction book about a teenage girl's spiritual connection with god. After being a victim in the famous Columbine shooting in Littleton, Colorado, her parent's grief with her death only to find a journal of her communications with god and her strong Christian beliefs. "What is life without living with the life maker"(Rachel,25) is a quote from her diary that prospered her parents idea of her being more than an average teenage Christian, they suspected her of being a strong Christian that communicates to god. Her parents releasing that their daughter had more faith then presumed, the keep searching her dairy for her secrete life with god and to remember the memories of their beloved daughter. As chapters of the Columbine shooting, effects of Rachel's death, and journal entry's to god fill this book you will question your own religion. Ironically this book did not effect me with the sad shooting of Columbine and all the people passing away but effected me by questioning my connection with god and the community.
After reading this book I now feel the urge to be more spiritually connected with god and trust him by spreading his words and kindness. "God loved her and wanted her to trust him"( Rachel,74) describes my new ambition to connect with Jesus. This book has definitely impacted my life and encouraged my religion to a new level.
But not only in my option has this book affected my christainanity it has also affected my outlook of others religions. Rachel having such a strong connection with god, opened my eyes to believe others religious beliefs and claims they have incounterd. The quote " young peopple may not see a lot of examples of this kind of dedication in the people around them." (Scott,38) describes my realization of others strong beliefs and how sometimes you don't even recognize others personal religion.
I gave this book four stars because it is very well written and will connect to you strongly about religion. Although some aspects of the book where questionable because they where to good to be true and some classmates even stated the book to be "unbelievable" or "plot was too stretched to be a non-fiction novel", despite these comments it was still a very moving novel with an eye opening tragedy.
After reading this book I now feel the urge to be more spiritually connected with god and trust him by spreading his words and kindness. "God loved her and wanted her to trust him"( Rachel,74) describes my new ambition to connect with Jesus. This book has definitely impacted my life and encouraged my religion to a new level.
But not only in my option has this book affected my christainanity it has also affected my outlook of others religions. Rachel having such a strong connection with god, opened my eyes to believe others religious beliefs and claims they have incounterd. The quote " young peopple may not see a lot of examples of this kind of dedication in the people around them." (Scott,38) describes my realization of others strong beliefs and how sometimes you don't even recognize others personal religion.
I gave this book four stars because it is very well written and will connect to you strongly about religion. Although some aspects of the book where questionable because they where to good to be true and some classmates even stated the book to be "unbelievable" or "plot was too stretched to be a non-fiction novel", despite these comments it was still a very moving novel with an eye opening tragedy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2018
Rachel's Tears is by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott.
This book was much better than I was expecting. It is, obviously, about a victim of the extremely sad Columbine shooting.
Rachel seemed like a sweet person and definitely a dedicated Christian. Although it is doubtful the exchange between Rachel and shooter ever actually happened, I still liked reading the excerpts from her journals and more about her short life.
I did think the parents made Rachel a little too perfect. I felt like they gushed about her too much. They also kind of painted her relationship with God as a "model relationship". That annoyed me a little bit, but I am cutting them a lot of slack, because heck -- they're her PARENTS.
The book also got preachy at times, and I'm skeptical that Rachel predicted her own death. Most of the things in her journal related to that can be explained in other ways.
Overall, this was a good book, despite its faults. 3.5 stars out of 5.
This book was much better than I was expecting. It is, obviously, about a victim of the extremely sad Columbine shooting.
Rachel seemed like a sweet person and definitely a dedicated Christian. Although it is doubtful the exchange between Rachel and shooter ever actually happened, I still liked reading the excerpts from her journals and more about her short life.
I did think the parents made Rachel a little too perfect. I felt like they gushed about her too much. They also kind of painted her relationship with God as a "model relationship". That annoyed me a little bit, but I am cutting them a lot of slack, because heck -- they're her PARENTS.
The book also got preachy at times, and I'm skeptical that Rachel predicted her own death. Most of the things in her journal related to that can be explained in other ways.
Overall, this was a good book, despite its faults. 3.5 stars out of 5.
May 28, 2012
I had already heard the story of the amazing Rachel Scott before reading this book, as Rachel's Challenge visited my school and I've read "The Journals of Rachel Scott." So, her inspiring story was not new to me, yet this book gave me a fresh perspective. Her parents both wrote very eloquently, clearly demonstrating their love for their late daughter and her undying love for Christ. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially someone who is interested in real-life inspirational Christian stories. And you never know, after reading it, you just may decide to start a chain reaction :)
August 15, 2013
Excellent book about Rachel Joy Scott, a Christian teen that was murdered at Columbine High School. I read this book many years ago and I loved it at the time. I haven't read it recently, but my sixteen-year-old daughter reads it every once in awhile. She really enjoys the book. I recommend this book to everyone. You'll want to pass it on to a young person. Just be sure to have the tissues nearby because it'll probably cause a bit of tear shed. I also recommend She Said Yes about Cassie Bernal.
November 19, 2007
This is a heart wrenching book but it is a must read. In the book, they have put lots of bits of Rachels diary in there, and songs that she wrote. There are also chapters from her mom and dad, about how they loved her and about there look on the school shootings. I own this book and Rachel's Smiles, which is the third book. Rachel's Smiles is about how her story changed the world. I really want you guys to read this, it is great.
October 16, 2010
This is one of the most touching books I have ever laid eyes on! I actually bought for a friend for her birthday, but I just had to read, so I stayed up all night that night and read the entire thing in one sitting so I could give it to her the next day. I had goosebumps reading it, I so appreciate this book. I included a note with it, challenging her to pass on the book when she finished, this book should be read by everyone, no doubt.
January 25, 2016
one of the saddest books and actually brought me to tears. it was amazing to see the experience her actual family went through during the whole ordeal from when the news hit to the aftermath in the search for Rachel.
December 11, 2023
I felt convicted after reading this. I have always been interested in the Columbine tragedy due to the demographic of the victims. This is a very heartfelt book with a lot of great insight to the life of Rachel Scott. Very interesting how she had some sort of premonition that something like this would happen.
April 2, 2024
I've had this book for probably 20 years but couldn't bring myself to read it until now. Even if you have to read it through tears, as I did, it is a must-read. It is a powerful testimony and a beautiful memorial to Rachel Scott and her faith.
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May 22, 2017Read it several years ago, so I don't know what I'd rate it, but I remember it as being good. A bit of a tear-jerker, but good.
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