Judy Mandel Author of Replacement Child

In 1952 a passenger jet suddenly spun from the sky and crashed into a suburban home in New Jersey. There were two young sisters in the house; Donna a seven year old who was instantly killed; and Linda, a two year old who was severely burned. Judy Mandel’s Replacement Child: A Memoir is the riveting story of that crash, the Mandel family’s overwhelming sorrow and their painful decision to bring a new child – the author – into the world to fill the void left behind by the loss of their older daughter. This is a brave, sometimes gut wrenching reflection on the complexities of the surviving Mandel’s relationships and Judy Mandel’s journey to healing and understanding. Beautifully written, it is a well-told account of tragedy and redemption.