The Baltimore Sun's Joe Burris sat down recently with Jeni Stepanek to talk about her new book, "Messenger," and her son Mattie, who charmed world leaders with poems advocating peace, Here's an excerpt from the interview published in today's Sun:

Question: What prompted you to write "Messenger" now?

Answer: I realized I had to write a book in 2004, and by 2006 I had completely outlined the entire book. But I didn't want to tell the story yet. I didn't want my raw grief to get mixed up with the story of his life. …Then last fall they were getting ready to do the dedication of the Mattie statue in Rockville. A little boy stopped and looked at the statue and said, "Mommy, that boy makes me feel happy inside." And the mom said, "That little boy is Mattie, and that's what he wanted to do." I said to myself that now is the time to write the story. I am amazed at what is growing from his life. He truly inspired people to believe in hope and peace. He so believed in that, and he was so real that he drew people to him.

Q: How often do you consider your son's accomplishments and say, "That's my child"?

A: I'm constantly looking at my son and not looking at the poet or peacemaker or philosopher. I'm looking at the son who needed me to be his mommy.