Journey Through Heartsongs

Rating:
Summary: An inspiration book about life and its many challengs
Review: 11-year-old "Mattie" Stepanek suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, but this diease has not only not weakened him but given him great wisdom beyond his eleven years. Though his beautiful poems of peace, hope, inspiration, and coping with loss, we gain much wisdom too. Though his thoughts we get to grow in spirit in ways we can't imagine. My favorite poem out of this collection was "Anniversary Reflections" It made me cry because it was so sad to read Mattie's account of the days following his brother, Jamie's, death. Mattie truly has great talent to write movingly and courageously about life, death, love, loss, faith, hope, joy, sadness, and all the feelings life can bring us. He is truly an inspration for all of us.

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Summary: A Journey with Mattie
Review: I recently had the pleasure of reading Mattie J.T. Stepanek's Hope Through Heartsongs. I found it to be very enjoying and entertaining. While reading his book I was transported to my young adulthood. I dabbled in poetry and loved to write. I always dreamed of being a published author. What a wonderful accomplishment for someone so young. I am a student teacher and I can see myself reading his poems to my future classes. Many students that I see struggle with confidence. Mattie's poem, About Confidence, would be a wonderful one to read aloud with students. I believe that poetry is a window into a persons soul. Mattie offers a journey into his life through his poetry. His struggles, hardships, joys, and dreams are revealed in verse. I was glad to take part in the journey through his young life while reading his poetry. Even though he is a young author his thougths and ideas are true to life and touching. His poetry is on a very personal and tangible level. I look forward to reading his other books and sharing them with classes to come.

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Summary: An 11 year old poet -- with centuries of wisdom and grace
Review: It has been said (accurately) many times: 11-year-old Mattie T.J. Stepanek's wonderful, often-haunting poems reflect a joy of life, an understanding of life, a full realization of what is important in life. His one-of-a-kind poems reveal a very wise, and perhaps very old, soul lurking in a very young body.

And by now you've probably heard Mattie's story on television, read it in the newspaper, or read his bio in one of his books: in his young life he has had to deal with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and has watched his siblings pass away one by one. He started writing poems at the age of three. But what you may NOT know is that this book truly differs from his first, earliest work, Heartsongs. His first was truly a work of art -- and in this book, he builds on his art and makes it a mite more personal.

If his first book, Heartsongs, is a nifty little polished poetic gem, the self-styled "peacemaker's" second book, Journey through Heartsongs, is a natural sequel -- a highly-polished, multi-layered gem. For in THIS book of poetry, Mattie begins to broaden his subjects a bit to include works that more directly reflect his own personal life and struggles: the pediatric intensive care unit; an anniversary reflection on how he felt the day he learned his little brother passed on and what it was like for him to be at his brother's funeral; maintaining family unity amid tragedy (The Holding On Family); his new unsought role as the only child of parents of deceased children, and many other topics. Yet, in Mattie's artistic hands these subjects are tastefully handled in seamless poetry, 100 percent sincere -- so be forewarned that you may shed a tear or two.

But there is a wide variety of other general subjects, too (the senses; the Vietnam War Memorial; angels; watches; wishing; growing up -- and many more). And in this volume (as in the first it is illustrated with his wonderful illustrations) you can clearly see his growth and maturation as he begins working through events in his life, questions of mortality, resolve, love, faith and the simple things that we take for granted -- things that make our lives beautiful and meaningful.

This is a wonderful book of personal poems by a beautiful wise soul (and I am not just writing this to butter him up because he is a black belt in karate). I read Heartsongs first, was deeply moved and impressed. And when I read this I thought it would be basically more of the same wonderful poetry (and realize this: I generally do not enjoy poetry). But this book is different: in Journey through Heartsongs I could literally watch his incredible talent blossom. A great book to read and to gift to anyone, of any age -- and I'll be buying more volumes of Mattie's poems for many many years to come.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Mattie is such an inspiration in this out of control world. Through the eyes of a child we could all learn alot. Mattie has such a way of expressing himself and bringing everyone who reads his book back to the basics of what life is all about, which is not how many material possessions a person obtains during his or her life, but how much is learned by tapping into a person's soul. I highly recommend this book and express my great admiration to this talented young man. I also write poetry and speak from my heart, therefore, I know that Mattie wishes to touch many lives with his message of peace and love. Good luck to you Mattie. May God continue to bless you always.

Susie Conyers, Flippin, Arkansas

Rating:
Summary: Poetry to lift your Spirit and change your outlook on life
Review: Mattie Stepanek is an amazing young man. At 11 years old, his wisdom far exceeds his years and is reflected in his poetry. Mattie began writing poems (with his mother as scribe) at the age of three and describes himself as "Poet and Peacemaker." He stimulates the reader to examine the really important things in life ... to embrace life. Mattie also illustrated the book with wonderful storytelling finger paintings. With the challenges he has faced in his short life, it is amazing that he has such a mature, wise and positive attitude. Your appreciation of this young man and his work will be greatly enhanced if you should have the good fortune to hear him speak.