This is the story of Koby Mandell, a boy from Silver Spring, Maryland, whose family immigrated to Israel. There, at the age of thirteen years, he and his friend Yosef were stoned to death in a cave in the Judean Desert. Their murderers were never found.

Sherri Mandell’s intense pain following the traumatic death of her son makes for a haunting, sad, but ultimately uplifting story. This is not the kind of book I would pass on to others without some thought, but I think Sherri’s story is important in learning what this experience is like. For those who have suffered a similar tragedy, it might be important to know that someone else can truly understand. This kind of book could be of great support just such a person. I really cannot understand how Sherri had the strength to put her feelings into words which she now so readily shares with others, but I am grateful she did so.

Mentioned in her book is information about a foundation Sherri has created to help others whose family members have also been victims of terrorism. Her reaching out to others in this way is a beautiful tribute to Koby.

Sherri speaks about Elijah, a crystal, a falling star, birds, and an especially noisy cricket. She feels, as I do, a spiritual pull in such things and believes with all her heart that there is a reason for them. I love how Sherri expresses the idea that the human soul is a mere part of a greater entity and that we are all connected in some way with our environment. I was throughly moved by this exquisite book and highly recommend it to others. ( )

"Koby Mandell was just thirteen-years-old on May 8th 2001, when he and his
friend cut school to go hiking. Their bodies were found the next day. The boys
had been brutally stoned to death in a cave in the heart of the Judean desert.
The extreme cruelty of this act of terror shocked the world. How does a family
cope with the loss of a child through such horror?
Koby's mother Sherri has penned this absorbing, deeply painful and yet
strangely beautiful account of her loss sharing her thoughts and emotions as
she moves through the first stages of mourning. Struggling to find a way to
carry on, she embarks on a journey of discovery and growing faith as she
endeavors to understand her pain in the context of 3,000 years of Jewish
history and tradition."--jacket

Mandell, Yaakov Natan, 1987-2001.