Picks and Pans Review: Mattie Stepanek

By POPE BROCK, FRANCINE PROSE, Michelle Green, ANDREW ABRAHAMS

UPDATED 04/03/2006 at 01:00 AM EDT • Originally published 04/03/2006 at 01:00 AM EDT

LEGACY OF HOPE

Jeni Stepanek, 46, who has muscular dystrophy, lost all four children, including Mattie, author of the poetry series Heartsongs, to the disease. She has edited a new volume of Mattie's work, Just Peace.

Since Mattie died in '04 at 13, Jeni says, "I'm trying to embrace life the way he did." Though physically weaker, "I feel his strength with me," says Mattie's mom.