Rating: 
Summary: Judge the Poetry, Not the Person
Review: First, let me dispense with the acknowledgment of Mattie's poor health and my best wishes therein. (As a lifelong sufferer of chronic illness, I empathize with him.)Reviews of this author's work tend to concentrate on the age and disability of the author. Most people do not choose a plumber or lawyer based on whether he is immature or pitiable, so why would anyone evaluate something as important as art by this standard? The quality of an author's work should stand independent of the reader's awareness of his biographical details. Even judged against the work of his peers, Mattie's writing is not particularly inspired. Judged under the considerably harsher glare of literary criticism, his work is very poor indeed. His meter, theme, and structure are often awkward or labored, and his tropes are heavy-handed and maudlin. This is the poetic equivalent of the painting of dogs playing poker. It seeks not to elevate the reader and make him think, but to appeal to crude saccharine sentiments: there are repeated appeals to "peacemaking" and the author narcisistically calls himself "a child with a disability who teaches others about patience and love and acceptance." The not-so-subtle implication is that adults need this sophomoric sage to help them stop being gratuitously violent, impatient, hateful bigots. This is patently untrue. Shame on Oprah Winfrey, Jimmy Carter, and the publishers of this book for taking advantage of both this young man and his readers!
Rating: 
Summary: Yo!
Review: I have much respect for Mattie and I think that he is very strong and smart but, after reading his poems, I was extremely disappointed. Like another young poet *cough* Sarah *cough*, Mattie has been ridiculously over hyped because of his age (and this time sad physical and emotional situation.) I am a young poet myself and regularly enter poetry contests because they usually have ceremonies for the winners that resemble "Open Mic Night" at most cafes and give me an opportunity for meet other poets (which, through experience, have realized to be VERY funky.) There are so many peeps that I have heard about through these ceremonies that deserve to have books published and are SO much more talented than Mattie. His poems wouldn't stand a chance at these contests where the judges only know your name and age when choosing winners. I know someone's going to ask why I'm not published if I'm so much better than Mattie (even though I didn't say that, someone ALWAYS assumes.) The answer is obvious: I don't want to be a child star, I don't want to be over hyped because of my age and I don't want to read my books when I'm an adult and be embarrassed. I am definitely not jealous of Mattie and his "gifts", to all you ASSUMERS, I just believe that his is being recognized for the wrong things (his poetry, not his physical and emotional strength.)
Rating: 
Summary: Mattie¿s Light and Words Will Live Forever
Review: I just learned of Mattie's physical passing, and I must salute this brave, caring, and genuine soul for his profound work, inner strength, words of heart, soul and wisdom, as well as his example to triumph over adversity.
Mattie's work did this. His poetry is a beacon in the dark that will endure forever. His spirit is priceless. His heartfelt compassion is an everlasting beacon in the dark for those who have lost all hope of their own.
May all who are suffering find solace in the work and words of a child who wrote from the depths of his heart to uplift the lives of others.
Mattie's beautiful work will certainly live on forever.
Rating:
Summary: A day in poems.
Review: I read this book called HOPE Through Heartsong is a good book .One of the poems is called "A day at mommy's work" "I was playing with mommy's work friends we ran up and dnow the halls in and out of doors then my heart was beeting fast and I said to my mommy put on my oxyen mask so I could berth". I like that part because he dose not say we ran up and dnow the halls and we left he is saying that he has a heart problom and he has to face it every day and I like that if someone wants to raed apart in the book he always has one of his poems on the back that you can raed so you do not have to look it side and that is why I read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good elementary poems.........
Review: I think the kid makes a point with his writtings, but he wouldn't be getting the hype that he does if it wasn't for his illness, and riches of his family.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a "heartfelt" book!
Review: Mattie is truly a remarkable writer of prose and poetry. He will tug at your heart and mind with every page. I have given this book to friends who are experiencing health problems. I believe he can lift anyone spirits with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a "heartfelt" book!
Review: Mattie is truly a remarkable writer of prose and poetry. He will tug at your heart and mind with every page. I have given this book to friends who are experiencing health problems. I believe he can lift anyone spirits with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal!!!
Review: Mattie Stepanek is amazing! His writing is insightful, his
thoughts very deep for such a young age. I have been moved to
tears and have taken his books to work and have read his poetry aloud to anyone who will listen. Hope Through Heartsongs is every bit as good as earlier books. Mattie is a prolific and
wonderful writer!
Rating:
Summary: The powerful sequel to Journey Through Heartsongs.
Review: Mattie Stepanek, the young poet and peacemaker who wants to spread peace throughout the world through his poems, returns in Hope Through Heartsongs, a powerful book that speaks through the voice of a young child and reveals the powerful message of hope in many touching ways. It is a book that can be enjoyed by about everyone, not simply because it is a special book, but because it is written by a young and very special person. From age three and beyond, Mattie's poems reflect positive and sometimes sad meanings, in which he wants people to understand the simplicities of life with a newer, more hopeful meaning. The poems are all written with power and feeling, and they are very touching in their own ways. It is obvious that he is very gifted person who views his suffering as a message more than as pain. My favorite poems in this book were "Beyond the Pain",Possession"
and "Only One", just a select few of some of the powerful poems that can be found in this book. Mattie's poems also speak about the subjects of terrorism, and more so on the recent national tragedies in some of his poems. Hope Through Heartongs must be read especially if you have read his previous two books, Heartsongs and Journey Through Heartsongs. But even if you haven't read any of Mattie Stepanek's previous Heartsongs books, Hope Through Heartsongs will still manage to capture your heart and amaze you with the brilliance and wisdom of a person who, someday, may accomplish the dream of worldwide peace through the messages he has presented in his three wonderful books.
Rating: 
Summary: The Wisdom of Youth
Review: Mattie's wisdom is far beyond his years. What a gifted soul. Thank you, Mattie, for sharing your poetry with us. I wish you longevity and great happiness, and I look forward to reading more 'heartsongs' in the years to come. I also recommend a little book of wisdom by another young man who is wise beyond his years - "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life" by Taro Gold. Both Mattie and Taro are humble young sages with the faces of boys but the hearts of philosophers.
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