Chain Reaction A Call To Compassionate Revolution

by Darrell Scott, Steve Rabey

Rachel Scott and her killer Eric Harris both talked about starting a "chain reaction." Eric used violence to kill and destroy at Columbine High School. But Rachel chose another path. In a personal creed she wrote one month before her death in the Columbine tragedy, she explained her conviction that if one person goes out of his or her way to show compassion, it will start a world-changing chain reaction ofkindness. For Rachel, this was a solemn calling. And now her father, Darrell Scott, is carrying on her crusade by challenging people of all ages to commit themselves to creating a revolution of compassion that can make a real difference in our troubled world. Chain Reaction spells out this challenge in compelling detail, providing moving examples of practical compassion and giving illustrations from Rachel's life and journals.

Genres: Nonfiction, School, Philosophy, Christian, Biography

199 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2001

About the author

Darrell Scott (b. 1949) is the father of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Darrell Scott is co-founder of the non profit foundation called Rachel’s Challenge. It focuses on teaching forgiveness, making schools safer, and where bullying and violence are replaced with kindness and respect.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Alison Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chain Reaction by Darrell Scott was very inspiring. It definitely changed my life. I was so shocked to see how brave Racheal was. She is a magnificent girl, and I is so sad that we had to lost her in the Columbine shooting. Now, when ever I see something wrong or weird, I think, what would Racheal do, and I always get the right answer.

Rachel Joy Scott is an amazing girl, who knew she was going to die young and change the world. Nobody knew how or why she said this, but she was right. Rachel wanted to be nice and kind to everyone. She was not afraid to do so. Rachel wanted to start a chain reaction of compassion, and she did. One of the cons of doing so, was dying. People may think that this is crazy, but it really isn't. Our world is so selfish and single minded, that we only realize people until they die a horrible death. It is absolutely horrible, but it is true. Now, when you read this book you can fallow the rules and help change the world one act of kindness at a time. It might seem impossible, but it isn't.

I would recommend this book to those who like inspiring stories. I think that mostly girls would like this book, but it is possible for boys to like it too. This book changed my life, and I hope that it will change yours too. I hope that everyone who reads this book is inspired to change the world. I know that I will.

[Bree Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need some inspiration, read this book. Rachel Joy Scott was one of the Columbine victims, but she died after admitting that Jesus Christ was her Savior. This book talks about the events after her death, and I highly recommend it to anyone!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving..Rachel is a role-model for me because of her faith, walk in the path of kindness and start a ripple effect

[7706mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chain Reaction: A Call to Compassionate Revolution is a remarkable portrayal of goodness. Rachel Scott has become my hero. Her dad is an amazing man because he is attempting to continue her legacy after her death. Rachel was one of the kids murdered at Columbine. She was a selfless girl who made it her business to show kindness to others. She even reached out to the extremely disturbed Eric and Dylan, who ended up being the Columbine shooters. Rachel, you have inspired me. This is a truly inspiring book. Read it, and you will want to pick up Rachel's torch.

[Kelsie Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I have always found Rachel's attitude and story inspiring. I have wanted to read this for well over a decade but unfortunately, I think this book would've hit a lot better if I hadn't waited. This book is definitely aimed for a teen audience and it just seems really thrown together overall. A lot of the same points are reiterated over and over to where most of the book feels really tired and repetitive. I know Darrell isn't trying to be an innovative writer and rather just wants to spread the story and message of his late daughter, but I can't ignore how this felt like one long essay I would've written in grade 10 English. I did somewhat enjoy this though and will probably read her published journals as well sometime in the future. I just I would've read actually read this when I was 13 instead of 26 because I know it would've impacted me so much more.

RIP Rachel and the 12 other victims of Columbine.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Darrell Scott, I've also read Rachel's Tears. I liked Rachel's Tears better. Maybe because it focused more on Rachel herself and her religious beliefs. This book focused more on how you can "pick up Rachel's torch" and become more like her—kind and compassionate. It offered tips on putting others first and seeking out those in need. Not to say that I didn't like this book, but I thought it was repetitive. Darrell took, literally took, many of the passages from Rachel's Tears and just, what seemed like, pasted them into this book. Many of the things he said about Rachel, he had already said in Rachel's Tears. He did offer some good advice and he looked at the positive sides of everything, even Rachel's death. Besides it being repetitive, I enjoyed the book a lot.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It offered insiders information to the Columbine killings. Rachel seemed like a person who really understood something simple, but basic to people....love makes a difference. If people take the time to show love for others, it can make this world a better place to live. The chain reaction an act of kindness can start can be far reaching.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up. It was in the free section of our library. It was all about Rachel, a Christian girl who died at Columbine. Her father Darrell read her journal and found poems and her essay for school about chain reactions and how kindness can spread. It was a book that all people should read and learn to help others. I thought it was great.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is better than Rachel's Tears...it has less religious undertones. This book is by the parents of Columbine victim Rachel Scott. Very moving and eye opening.

[Kymberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that has molded my early christian life.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actress Ginger Rogers said, "When two people love each other, they don't look at each other, they look in the same direction."
p84

[Godsprincess · Rating 4 out of 5]

really inspiring

[Jessica Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Kaitlynnstubbs]

This is a really good book so far.

[Pankachu102 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written by Darrell Scott, father of Columbine victim Rachel Scott, outlining her philosophy for life based on 5 pillars (forgiving, loving, helping, leading, and showing mercy).

Though I think the idea of the book is interesting and the short life of Rachel impressive, the execution just isn’t there. I come from a newer generation that has grown up having lockdown drills in school and school shootings being a big fear. This gives me the perspective that those who execute the shootings (assuming they are caught and in prison) should never be named and their faces never shown. By showing these things, you are giving the shooter what they want and in doing so unintentionally encouraging more shootings. That being said, the author uses the shooters names 168 times during the 197 page book. Yes, I counted, because it was so prevalent. For reference Rachel’s name was used 332 time and other victims (lethal and non-lethal) 35 times. [This count includes all times mentioned throughout: cover, forward, chapter headings etc.].

Would not recommend for people who don’t want to know the shooters names.

[Lyndsey Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young woman who would have been on the rise had tragedy not struck her in her path. Rachel is someone who still inspires me til this very day. Her uncle I believe it was came to our school . South Doyle Middle to talk about her and the tragedy that happened in Columbine High School. I learned kindness can start a chain reaction in some cases. Ofc the rest is history. I read some books about her and her brother and her family. I also read her journal and understand that before that day in 1999 she was living exactly like how teens her age would. Sometimes keeping innocent secrets here and there, boy crushes, remaining strong in her beliefs . She assumes something would happen to 13 people or that she wouldn’t live long because of the rose she drew or it could have been the eyes with 13 years. It was one of those. I don’t think it’s coincidental , reader. In fact I think Rachel was a very intuitive girl. Read anything about her- you may learn that she was just like some of us growing up in a sense.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was in a box of books sent to me by a friend of a friend. I'm not sure I would have read it if it hadn't been in that box of books.

The message within the pages is a good one--be a friend to those that are considered outcasts. See through their outer messages and let them know you care. You never know that the one thing you do that you don't think anything of, might be the one thing that means everything to the other person.

However, Rachel Scott's Code is repeated in almost every chapter, as if we couldn't remember it, and the cynic in me wonders how much Darrell Scott wanted to gain from the "spotlight" created by the tragedy that included his daughter's death.

Am I glad I read the book? Yes. Do I think that the world would be a better place if more people followed Rachel's code? Yes.

[Sarah Rhomberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” – Rachel Joy Scott

Rachel’s story is moving and powerful. There is no question about that. Still, I was a little disappointed when I read this book. Scott writes about love, compassion, forgiveness – all qualities Rachel showed. What didn’t come across as clearly as I hoped, was where Rachel had these from. They came from her strong faith in God.

Nevertheless, it was a great book. Scott’s call to a compassionate revolution mirrors his daughter’s heart. It is always good to be reminded to start the right chain reactions.

4 stars from 5 stars

[Olivia Nottingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

So inspiring and really makes you think, how am i impacting the people around me?

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Very convicting and inspiring book! I want to start a chain reaction around me. I hope others feel inspired to do the same after completing this book.

[Manu Ribxs · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book that definitely does what it intends to, however, it can feel very repetitive and distasteful at times.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Rachel's family is keeping her memory alive and spreading her positive message to the world. What happened at Columbine was heartbreaking. But hopefully this book will inspire the lost souls of the world and give everyone else the nudge they need to start a chain reaction of kindness.

[Adam Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chain Reaction by Darrell Scott may change how you view your world. The tale of Columbine victim Rachel Joy Scott will give you a clear view of what she believed in before she passed. Written by her father, his purpose for writing this book was to spread his daughter’s beliefs in Christianity and, most importantly, kindness. Rachel was a courageous young girl who had true inspiration in a time when the people in the millennium needed hope.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A amazing book that was inspiring

[Jesse]

This book was amazingly powerful. It really showed what a difference one person can make on the world. Rachel's story is something every person should hear about. This book helped me realize that even if I live in a small town there is still something I can do to help the world become a better place for anyone. The way Darrell explained how we can be more like Rachel made it a lot easier to figure out how such s change can be possible. This book helped me grow closer to God and realize that I may be prosecuted for it but the way I react can make a difference. This is why I believe this book deserves five stars.