89 Pages. Published by Universe 2007.

NIS75 (incl. vat and postage) if ordered from author Bracha Stock, tel: 03-5466379.

$11.95 from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Reviewed by Adele Rubin 

From the adoption of a son at five days old, Bracha Stock kept a diary for seven years describing the wonders of having a child after many years of marriage and the special blessings of adoption. She hoped her son would eventually read it and since he did the illustration on the book cover, we assume that he did. Bracha’s strong personality and willingness to reveal such personal feelings is what makes the book so gripping. 

Bracha was born in Israel but married an American (who had escaped from Nazi Germany at the age of 14 and managed to get to the USA, study and serve in the US Army). They met whilst she was studying in the States. 

Their son was adopted in the United States in 1960 but they lived varying periods both in the United States and in Israel. We are therefore given a picture of life in the States and in Israel and a personal and particularly revealing insight into peoples lives during this period (until 1967). 

Although it is not her native language, Bracha wrote her diary in English. Later she added the second part of the book ”Afterthoughts”. The book is well written and describes the fears, hesitations, hopes and love for the child in a most appealing way. 

I read it in one sitting.