In the twinkling of an eye, nine years of family life are stolen from Beth and Pat Cappadora when their three-year-old son is kidnapped. At a time when family members need to support each other, the Cappadora family does just the opposite.

Each withdraws into his own private world, giving no aid or comfort to the others.

When Ben is found again, the problems become different but larger. Now these problems encompass two families, and the pain spreads from the Cappadora family to the Karras family, a family already touched by tragedy.

1. Discuss the precautions Beth could have taken in the hotel lobby to prevent the kidnapping. Do you think it is right or fair to expect a seven-year-old to keep a three-year-old from wandering away?

2. After thinking that Ben would be found, why do you think Beth changed her mind? Why did it make her...