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The MY HERO Project | Library

Heartsongs

By Mattie J. T. Stepanek

Publisher: Hyperion, January 2002
ISBN: 0641739621
MY HERO recommends this book to children readers.

From the Publisher
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek, known to his friends as "Mattie," began writing poetry and short stories at the age of three. Some of his poetry explores the uncensored reality of living with a rare form of muscular dystrophy and with the grief associated with the loss of his three siblings to the same life-threatening condition. But most of his poems proclaim the innocent hope, profound wisdom, and delightful humor of childhood. Heartsongs is a collection of the early poems and artwork of this gifted, courageous, award-winning poet. This special edition includes a section of never-before-published poems and artwork.

User Reviews:
Jaylynn | 8/6/2015 2:49 AM
I love his poems so much to cry for❤️❤️❤️👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿😷😷👣👣👣💪💪💪🌹🌹🌹
jasmine garcia | 4/10/2012 12:57 PM
Mattie inspired many people and one of them was me. He was a wonderful child. When I read about him for the first time he touched my heart and I wanted everyone to read about it. He never gave up on his dream even though he was dying. God Bless you!!<3
madamerock | 2/23/2012 4:38 AM
My soul has been touched, this gifted child has given many people inspiration... Love the poems! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Jason hughes | 1/25/2012 7:29 AM
I live in Zimbabwe, Africa and only had the chance to learn of mattie from an oprah show about a week ago. Thinkin back to how i felt hearin his story and his souls words(poems or heart songs) of  divine wisdom, i can say with out any doubt that i have never ever felt a feelin like that day, it was a feelin so deep in my heart or should i say soul(spirit) i think it was a feelin of meetin a heavenly being(mattie) that was also the day i looked deep into me and for the first time felt my soul(spirit) . He is more than my hero he is my inspiration and i thank the lord firstly for creating mattie and mattie secondly for giving me the chance to hear and see that it is truelly possible for a human being in these times to live godly,honestly,happily with no regrets and jst been true always like all religious books say.my heart song is that may mattie's word and wisdom be shown to each and every human on this planet and i pray that mattie's words enter not jst your minds but penetrate to enter our souls so that we too may find the divine truth of who we truelly are and that we are capable of change that we to will  be free of the shackles of this world so that we all too, can live in happiness and harmony:) thank you to every one who has made it possible for us to hear and see mattie's story. It has changed my life beyond measure as it will any one that see's this angel. May god be with you mattie and you with him.
jackée | 1/24/2012 2:18 AM
you are an angel mattie, loaned to us by God. Love you
hana | 1/3/2012 8:51 PM
for me matty is a hero and every one knows his story agree with me so it like an angel
Mary | 11/19/2011 5:59 AM
I am grateful for Mattie's Mom sharing all Mattie's stories. I can't wait until he is St. Mattie.  He is such an inspiration to this world and will bring many people closer to God.
Donna | 11/18/2011 2:54 AM
I read Mattie's books and cry.  He is so inspirational.  He leads so many people to increasing their faith.  He is in Heaven :)
Tony Casas | 3/25/2011 2:33 AM
His story made me cry! God bless Mattie!
Davis Carvalho ;) 2010 | 11/17/2010 11:54 AM
Once you finish this book you will be thinking two words.....

GOD BLESS
turtlezzz orb | 10/4/2010 5:47 AM
mattie ur the best thanks for the poems ♥
Olivia | 10/4/2010 5:46 AM
his poems are really heart touching wish he was still alive. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ i love mattie ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ as a friend even though i didnt know him.
mattie | 10/4/2010 5:45 AM
like his poems very sad how he only lived till 14 years old
MIKE | 10/4/2010 5:44 AM
so thankful for his awesome poems so touching i feel so bad for him i hope his soul will rest in peace amen
I LOVE HIM | 10/4/2010 5:40 AM
SO TOUCHING I HATE DA WAY HE DIED SUCKS BUMMER
chantal | 9/10/2010 10:52 AM
i love his poems they touch my heart
KIMBERLY | 11/13/2009 6:24 AM
I LOVE THIS POEM BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL IT INSPIRED ME SO MUCH!!!
Kyla | 11/8/2009 2:05 AM
Now on my favorites list. I love this one.
solon harper | 10/19/2009 4:46 AM
thanks,it was awesome you rock.
traci kuehl | 6/12/2009 1:49 PM
WOW WHAT AN AMAZING KID! I READ HEARTSONGS AND JOURNEY THROUGH HEARTSONGS TO MY 8YR. OLD JOEY AND MY 9 YR. OLD TAYLOR. WHAT A BLESSING MATTIE WAS!!! AND STILL IS!!!WE WILL C HIM SOON!BLESS U JENI 4 SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL SON WITH US!
KAYLA.B. | 4/14/2009 8:53 AM
I LOVE THIS BOOK IT IS THE BEST!!! IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE BELIEVE IT OR NOT!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK WAIT DIDN'T I ALREADY SAY THAT!!! FOR ANYONE IN THE FUTURE YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND HELP YOU UNDERSTAND!!!!!
Quinn O. | 11/3/2008 2:09 AM
I've read almost all of his books and i think they are incredibly insitefull into the mind of someone who was living life more than he ever thought he would although he was dying.
Wendy Ebel | 9/13/2008 11:19 AM
I was driving home today listening to NPR and for the first time, I heard about Mattie and his Mother.  I did not realize that the recording was made several years ago and that Mattie had made his physical transition.  I was deeply touched by his words and felt inspired to take a deeper look inside for my Heart Song.  He wasn't here with us long enough - but ...he did a very big job in a very short time of reminding us to be in the moment AND to get down on our knees and be thankful for each and everyone moment we live.  God Bless.
mj | 1/8/2008 12:06 AM
thats a nice one i like to do the same like you
kevin soler | 11/16/2007 5:48 AM
where does Jeni Stepanek live because I i am 10  
and just learned that you and your son who is died but i need to know if your still alive and i want to know about mattie's father i am in fifth grade plus i love your son's poem's and i hope you can answer my question please Jeni Stepanek


Jeni Stepanek is still alive.  We encourage you to share your thoughts in an email to:

[email protected]

-- The MY HERO Library Staff

Jonathan | 11/15/2007 12:35 AM
His poems are touching
Toni Cruz | 11/8/2007 11:22 AM
I just love his poems.They are so touching and peaceful.
Annie | 5/18/2007 1:19 AM
Touching. Really touching
Brianna Rayhons | 4/16/2007 1:10 AM
I knew about Mattie before he passed but until he did I never realized how powerful his poetry could be. Since then he is now my favorite poet and I have used his works in my high school English class.
Love Presley | 3/27/2007 9:46 AM
I didn't know about Mattie until my mom went to the 2006 Speical things and got the Oprah Winfrey Show 20th anniversary collection. Then the whole time the first time i cryed. He should be an insperation to every child because he sure inspired me!
Lynn Greiman | 12/27/2006 1:27 AM
I didn't discover Mattie until a day after his passing. I just happenened to be channel
surfing when I was fortunate enough to see the re-broadcast of his interview with
Larry King. I was so moved that I wrote a poem commemerating my receipt of that "gift".
Jordanna | 5/8/2006 12:02 AM
I just love his poems. He was so inspiring and still is through his poems. I only wish I could understand things so easily as he seemed to. He had a wondeful skill and talent and I can only imagine what he would have done had he had more time, but I think he made great work of the time he did have. Thanks again.
kalene morse | 3/26/2006 11:43 PM
matties book is beautifull i love it he had a great mind of poetry awesome kid
samantha | 1/19/2006 10:26 PM
mattie is so inspiring and he is a great poet
Joe Marshall | 1/8/2006 2:03 AM
me and my seventh grade english class talked  about mattie and all the books he wrote. so my point  is that is that when i grow up i want to be like mattie .
kirsty hodkinson | 9/18/2005 7:15 PM
i loved the idea of the real heart songs
amberlyn | 1/26/2005 2:53 AM
it is good
Maggie Burke | 1/24/2005 7:20 AM
this young child is heart warming he is about my age and i can not believe what he accomplished in his life time.  This child is one of a kind some words of wisdom to the world that i realized through out reading his work. he shared his thoughts and poured out his inner soul to the world, and he made the earth a better place, and touched the lives of millions.
anna | 1/17/2005 6:59 AM
Mattie is a hero to me because he believed in himself and everyone else. Mattie was special. He cared about others. His poetry makes me smile. He puts a smile on my face and others too. In his poetry I see that he never really used the word I. He always cared about other people.
Gloria Whitehusrt | 11/6/2004 6:54 AM
I think Mattie is everybodies hero because he could not do everything that we can do. He was the most kind and gentle kid I ever knew. Mattie was a very smart, creative and unique little person. When I read his books it made me feel so glad that I could walk and don't have a disease, but I do wish that I had a mind like Mattie because he was so smart. His words in his book the HeartSongs just make me feel so happy. But sad for poor Mattie. But now I know he is safe in heaven with no pain.
kaylee | 11/2/2004 11:21 PM
his poems are very beautiful and have much heart and meaning.
carol | 6/23/2004 1:49 AM
  What a wonderful book! What a wonderful boy! God bless him!
ethan thane | 5/13/2004 2:06 AM
They inspired me alot.
krista bela | 4/29/2004 10:55 AM
I love his poems.
It is great. You will love it.


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