My special thanks to my husband, Abba, with whom I share my office
and my life, and my two grown children, David and Julia. Each of them
holds a large stake in this book, as do my parents, Sam Cagen, who died
in 1982, and Esther Cagen Raiken, my own personal librarian.

Approximately two hundred eighty-five youngsters have left traces of
themselves upon the pages of this book. Two hundred nineteen partici-
pated in the research studies. Sixty-five saw me in consultations regarding
a legal action, psychotherapy, or just an opinion. Each child, in my view,
is a hero. Each helped me understand something new about trauma. To
each of these unnamed children I send my deepest thanks, my good wishes,
and my love.

In this book the author accurately conveys children's experiences with
psychic trauma but changes the children's names and other identifying
details. This has been done without changing the gist of the children's
stories.

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