Book Review: "Rachel’s Tears"

I remember the day the Columbine shooting took place, it was April 20, 1999. I was a senior in high school, ready to graduate in a month and in the month before summer came things changed. I remember everyone being worried that it would happen at another school, guidelines at school got stricter, and people’s faith and beliefs changed. I mean how could kids my age do something like that, I remember thinking. I still don’t understand, nor do I think anyone really will. This year marks the 10th anniversary of that fateful day and I was given the opportunity by Thomas Nelson publishers to review the book “Rachel’s Tears.”

“Rachel’s Tears” is not a typical book about a tragedy but rather a test of a girl’s faith and her beliefs. Now I am my no means religious nor do I think this book is necessarily about religion. It is actually a book containing Rachel’s journal inserts and the way her death has impacted her family and even those that did not know here. Chuck and Gena Norris even wrote the Forward introduction to say what an Amazing girl Rachel was, even though they regret not knowing her.

Rachel was a senior in high school and a typical girl, except that she had a strong believe in God. Throughout this book her notes are shared and it really makes you wonder how she could have been so strong and devoted at such a young age. I mean when I was 17, my other faith was in boys and I didn’t think about helping others. This book was written by Rachel’s parents and goes through that fateful day and what her community and parents felt and more. “Rachel’s Tears” has sold more than 350,000 copies in 6 different languages and continues to empower and console many people.