Missy Jenkins

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Missy Jenkins gets right to the heart of the matter...her life after being shot on December 1, 1997.

School shootings are occurring with more frequency rather than less as time goes by. But in 1997, Columbine hadn't happened yet. Virginia Tech hadn't happened yet. The only significant school shooting was at Pearl High School on October 1, 1997. Only two months after that date, Heath High School would be in the media forefront.

Missy Jenkins was one of a handful of students who were meeting in the high school lobby for a prayer circle prior to the start of classes that day. Michael Carneal walked into that lobby with a duffel bag full of ammunition and guns that he stole from a friend's house. He randomly started firing at the students in the lobby.

As the story is told, the reader is made aware that Missy feels lucky and thankful that she survived the shooting. Three young girls were killed, and Missy was the most injured of those that survived...she was paralyzed from the chest down.

I CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY is Missy's story after the shooting. It shares her amazing ability to forgive Michael and move on with her life. She recounts her struggles to overcome her disability and be the best person she can be in spite of it. She has complete faith in God and His plan for her following the shooting. Unsure of what she wanted to do prior to the shooting, Missy has a clear-cut plan to guide her after December 1. She is determined to be a counselor for troubled youth in hopes of preventing others to take actions such as Michael was compelled to take.

A straightforward account of her life after December 1, 1997, I CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY is a hopeful, encouraging novel of triumph over tragedy. Missy's courage and determination shine through on every page. Even those unfamiliar with the event will praise Missy's positive outlook on life. The world would be a much better place if everyone had the same view of things.… (mais)

December 1, 1997 started off as an ordinary school day for 15 year old Missy Jenkins, but that changed very quickly. While in a prayer circle at school, Missy was one of eight students shot by 14 year old Michael Carneal. Three students were killed and Missy was the most seriously hurt of the five injured – she was paralyzed from the chest down. “I Choose to be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph over Tragedy” is Missy’s account of the events of that day, her struggle for survival, her learning to deal with being paralyzed for the rest of her life, and her life since that day.

“I Choose to be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph over Tragedy” is the riveting story of a young woman whose life changed in a split second and yet didn’t let the tragedy bring her down. Missy doesn’t waste any time – she describes the events of the shooting in the very first pages of the book. Her story is fascinating as she recounts not only her reaction, but the reaction of her twin sister, the teachers, other students and even the shooter himself. School shootings were not common in 1997 and the shocked reaction of all is very understandable. The book is full of pictures that make the events even more real to readers and the interrogation of Michael Carneal just two hours after the shooting is fascinating reading, as is Missy’s meeting him in jail years later.

“I Choose to be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph over Tragedy” is not just about the shooting but also about how Missy rebuilt her life in the aftermath. It is inspiring to read how she learned to dress herself, feed herself and get about after being paralyzed. She is very open about how difficult it was to learn these chores and she never makes herself out to be perfect and is honest about the times she rebelled. It is interesting to read how she was sustained not only by her family, but her religious faith, a faith that still helps her today. Missy has taken what life has given her and turned it into being a public speaker, a counselor for troubled teens, marriage, and motherhood. Here, too, she admits that she is not perfect and recounts her struggles in those areas and her concerns for the future.

“I Choose to be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph over Tragedy” is the inspirational story of a young woman who refused to let tragedy ruin her life.… (mais)