1) The novel tells the story of Cassie Bernall, a teenage girl who was killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. It describes Cassie's personality and struggles as seen by her mother Misty Bernall, who writes the book.
2) A significant event is the day of the shooting, when Cassie's parents learn she did not survive. Misty shares her memories of Cassie to show who she really was - a bright girl who was kind despite difficulties in her relationships and life.
3) A theme is the power of family relationships. Misty aims to give hope by sharing how much family members can mean to each other, and how our actions affect loved ones. The
1) The novel tells the story of Cassie Bernall, a teenage girl who was killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. It describes Cassie's personality and struggles as seen by her mother Misty Bernall, who writes the book.
2) A significant event is the day of the shooting, when Cassie's parents learn she did not survive. Misty shares her memories of Cassie to show who she really was - a bright girl who was kind despite difficulties in her relationships and life.
3) A theme is the power of family relationships. Misty aims to give hope by sharing how much family members can mean to each other, and how our actions affect loved ones. The
1) The novel tells the story of Cassie Bernall, a teenage girl who was killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. It describes Cassie's personality and struggles as seen by her mother Misty Bernall, who writes the book.
2) A significant event is the day of the shooting, when Cassie's parents learn she did not survive. Misty shares her memories of Cassie to show who she really was - a bright girl who was kind despite difficulties in her relationships and life.
3) A theme is the power of family relationships. Misty aims to give hope by sharing how much family members can mean to each other, and how our actions affect loved ones. The
1) The novel tells the story of Cassie Bernall, a teenage girl who was killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. It describes Cassie's personality and struggles as seen by her mother Misty Bernall, who writes the book.
2) A significant event is the day of the shooting, when Cassie's parents learn she did not survive. Misty shares her memories of Cassie to show who she really was - a bright girl who was kind despite difficulties in her relationships and life.
3) A theme is the power of family relationships. Misty aims to give hope by sharing how much family members can mean to each other, and how our actions affect loved ones. The
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SUMMER READING NOVEL ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
She Said Yes
Level 1 Questions -(for the first half of the book)
1. What is the time and place of the book? What evidence in the book tells you this? Cassie's story begins before the tramatic event that occurred on the morning of April 20, 1999 and continues after her act of selflessness that had caused her her life. This part is explained by her mother, Misty Bernall, thoughout the novel. 2. Name and describe the main character in the book. Describe him/her physically and describe his/her personality and history, if known. Then give your impression of him/her. In this novel, Cassie Bernall is introduced by the people who've gotten to know her for themselves. (Mostly family & friends). She is introduced as a bright person, who had a happy childhood up until she got involved with the wrong people. Although angry and sullen by her early teens, the pictures shown of her show a very beautiful girl with eyes of hope. I wouldn't say there was ever a dark side to this girl. I believe she was easily influenced and even then, Cassie had still been herself but in hiding. 3 Name and describe a minor character. Describe her/him physically and describe her/his personality and history, if known. Explain how s/he is important to the story and the ideas of the book. Misty Bernall, mother of Cassie and her younger brother, Chris, introduces who Cassie had really been as a person. The reader gathers the aspects in their relationship, and undestands that Misty, although often frustrated and heartbroken by a troubled daughter, still saw the love that Cassie had really been. 4. Describe the nature of the relationship between two characters. Include their history together and details of their relationship. Explain the significance of their relationship to the book. Like most mother/daughter relationships (or any relationship at all), the struggle is actually real. The relationship however, was enough for Misty to know who Cassie really was. And what Cassie actually wanted to become which was the positivity that was her own mother. 5. Describe one important event in the book and explain why it is significant to the story (to the plot, the characters, and to the ideas of the book). The morning of August 20th, 1999, Misty Bernall had been informed that there had been trouble back at Cassie's school. Gunmans, (2), had rampaged the school with reported guns and bombs. When sent to different locations, Cassie's parents waited to hear news regarding their children's safety. Chris, Cassie's brother shows up early in the afternoon. Cassie does not show up. Misty and Brad Bernall are informed that no one has been found hiding, alive. Including Cassie. 6. Explain one specific aspect of the culture described in the book. Tell how it compares to a specific culture you are familiar with.
When Misty describes the culture of Cassie's school where the shooting had occurred, I had compared it to my old school. It is described as safe, however, the students don't seem to have the best reputations.
Level 2 Questions - (for the second half of the book)
1. If the time or place switches around during the book, explain how and give examples. How does this switching serve the story? Misty mentions the changes that Cassie goes through during childhood, and in these changes include the switching of schools due to her daughters behavior. She mentions a Beaver High School (not the actual name) where Cassie had first encountered her bad influenial friends. From there, Misty and Brad Bernall switch schools for their daughthers best. 2. What is the general feeling or mood of the book? Give specific examples of how the author creates that feeling or mood. In this novel, the reader would gather that Misty, the writer, isn't only writing the story for Cassie for people who also mourn and also feel helpless. To find selfnessness for a good being or for those who believe in a greater power, through God. 3. Choose two types of conflicts listed below and fully explain their development in the novel, giving examples of each: a. two people (man v. man) b. a person and his/her conscience (internal conflict) c. a person and society a person (man v. society) d. an animal or nature a person and a spiritual/supernatural being When Cassie goes through her different phases, I believe she goes against society. (man vs. society) When her act of selflessness costs her her life between her and the man who had questioned her belief. (man vs man) 4. Who is the narrator of the story? Is s/he inside or outside the story? What is her/his relationship to the story? The narrator, or the one telling Cassie's story includes (mostly) Misty Bernall. And a few of those who had a story to tell about Cassie and the type of person she was. 5. Is the book written in the first or third person (I or s/he)? How does that affect the story? The story/novel is written in first person by Misty Bernall. (Cassie's mother). The story/novel by someone who is believed to have known her daughter best. 6. Explain the organization of the book. How it is important to the story? The organization of this book is set for the reader to understand who Cassie Bernall was to the people around her 7. What is your reaction to a relationship, event, socio-cultural behavior or message/theme
of the book? Be clear about what you are reacting to and exactly what makes you respond as you do. When Misty starts to talk about the early signs of Cassie's strange behavior (the letters she found between Cassie and her friend, Mona) I grew really uncomfortable. It was the way the girls had wrote that bothered me and I knew where Misty had started to feel as if she had failed as someone Cassie could reach out to. Not having anyone to talk to does very strange things. 8. Choose a sentence or phrase that attracts you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book and its value to you. Doctors say that the brain forgets pain, and that may be so. I am not sure the heart forgets. Chapter 1, page 16. I chose this quote because it speaks for itself and I too have a heart that doesn't forget much. Level 3 Questions - (once you have completed the book) 1. If there is any special language used (dialects, foreign words, slang, etc.) give examples and explain its use and purpose. What is its effect? There is no special language used. 2. Does the author use humor, irony, symbolism, or metaphors? Give examples and explain the effect. Misty Bernall symbolizes the bible and it's verses through Cassie's story since their main belief was God and his power to do well for others. 3. What is the peak event, the climax, of the novel? What major conflicts lead up to it and what is the resolution afterward? When Cassie is sent to a youth group with the encouragement of a new friend, Cassie comes into realization with the type of person she is to herself and to God. This day (March 6th, 1997) is the day Cassie claims is her second birth date or the day she had been reborn. This day strengthens her belief. 4. What is the theme or themes in the novel? How does the author show this idea? Give evidence. Comment on how this theme fits in the novel and how it applies to life outside the book. What does this theme mean to you? This novel's theme or purpose is to give the reader (parent or not) an array of hope about family. It makes you think about family and the individuals in your family and how much you mean to them and how much they mean to you. And it made me think about the time I have with them. Now. 5. What does this theme mean to you? (To address this question well, a multi-paragraph answer is suggested). I'm very family-oriented and to the people around me like family- they all mean the world to me. And although I love them all, I often forget who I am to them and how my actions affect them aswell. Cassie changed her family an infinite amount of times. And although the tradgedy, she didn't do it for it worst. She lives on a bright and brave girl with a bright and brave family. I hope to do the same.
6. What did you learn from this novel? You may comment on any aspect of the novel. To be selfless. Not selfish. I'm very glad I read this story.
David Denborough - Retelling the Stories of Our Lives_ Everyday Narrative Therapy to Draw Inspiration and Transform Experience-W. W. Norton & Company (2014)
David Denborough - Retelling the Stories of Our Lives_ Everyday Narrative Therapy to Draw Inspiration and Transform Experience-W. W. Norton & Company (2014)
