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14th out of 62 books
—
19 voters
Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs
Oprah Winfrey has called him "an inspiration," Maya Angelou saw him as a kindred spirit and fellow poet, and Jimmy Carter described Mattie Stepanek as "the most remarkable person I have ever known." When Jerry Lewis received his lifetime achievement award at the Oscars, footage of Mattie played behind him. Five years after his death from a rare neuromuscular disease, Matti...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
November 3rd 2009
by Dutton Adult
(first published 2009)
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I don't mind tear-soaked sleeves, but tissue / handkerchief users -- you'll need a large supply of one or the other if you read MESSENGER: THE LEGACY OF MATTIE J.T. STEPANEK AND HEARTSONGS.
As many times as I've read my favorite Mattie Stepanek poems, I still suspect that I will read them more times than I have already read them. Mattie's books should head a list of "Books to Read Before I Live," so if you are unfamiliar with his work,
. . . .
MESSENGER, the work (with Larry Lindner's assistance)...more
As many times as I've read my favorite Mattie Stepanek poems, I still suspect that I will read them more times than I have already read them. Mattie's books should head a list of "Books to Read Before I Live," so if you are unfamiliar with his work,
. . . .
MESSENGER, the work (with Larry Lindner's assistance)...more
I first heard about Mattie on Oprah. I didn't pay too much attention (mostly because I am never home in time to watch). I heard bits and pieces and was always impressed with how Mattie spoke ... with conviction ... self awareness and assurdness. After he passed away, I saw Jeni on Oprah by chance and there were other viewings of Mattie. I bought this book for my uncle for his birthday, all the time keeping in the back of my mind that I needed to read it. I thought that this would be one of my "l...more
I've always loved everything I've known about Matte Stepanek, and I loved this book. I went into it expecting to be touched by the story of this amazing boy's life. But I did not realize going into reading the book just how attached I'd feel to his mother, the author of the book. When the time came that I'd knew was coming throughout reading the book, when Mattie passes on, I was overcome with emotion. I realized I'd become so attached to Jeni Stepanek while reading that while I expected to be m...more
I gave the book 4 stars. I thought this was an amazing book !! I had read some of Mattie's poems in the past and had seen him on TV. However, those things didn't prepare me for the whole story. This child was truly a messenger and there were so many memorable quotes from him and those around him. It starts with Maya Angelou quoting an old African gospel song, "Lord, don't move your mountain, just give me strength to climb it. You don't have to move that stumbling block, just lead me, Lord, aroun...more
This is a nonfiction book about the life of a young boy named Mattie Stepanek who died at the age of 14, in 2004 from an inherited disease. His mother wrote and narrated the book. His life is amazing. In my school class I have the motto, "You can make a difference." This young boy certainly did. *** spoilers follow*** He was reading and writing at an early age. He finished college even though he was only 14. He understood deeper principles than most adults. He wrote many books of poetry, once co...more
Jul 12, 2011
Dan
added it
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Feb 09, 2011
booklady
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
EVERYONE!
Recommended to booklady by:
Tom
If you haven't 'met' Mattie Stepanek, you are in for a treat. What a neat young man! Although he just missed celebrating his 14th birthday, he was wise far beyond those few years. I enjoyed every story his mother, Jeni, the author, shared in this autobiographical narrative about her life with this incredible child. Although poignant, Messenger was told with admiral restraint. I tried picturing myself in Jeni’s place writing about my own son and I couldn’t do it. The title refers to the fact that...more
Not done with this book yet but already, the story makes me want to love, give and see the goodness in everything, one chapter at a time. Lessons from a child.
Apr 23, 2012
Anf
is currently reading it
Only 31 pages in and already I've choked up and felt the tears welling up in my eyes.
He wouldn't let it go, though. "Maybe I wanted to have kids," he said, "because you want to leave behind lessons, leave behind everything that matters to you. That's how you touch the world. But I have to reconsider what it's like to leave a legacy. I think my life is opposite of what it says on your coffee mug."...more
On my coffee mug it said, "I may have to grow old, but I don't have to grow up." Mattie said, "I thi
I saw Mattie Stepanek on Oprah a few times over the years and was sad when he died. For me, he came across as a sweet and joyful boy who tragically died very young. I picked up this book at Costco and didn't read it right away. I was much more excited about reading other books on my shelf. I finally picked it up and it bowled me over. For me, it seems that Mattie is an old soul come to teach all of us, not just with his desire for peace but also with his admonition to play after every storm. I s...more
I saw another reviewer mention needed a box of tissue when reading this. I would whole heartedly agree!!! I knew going in this would be a difficult read. When the book opened with Mattie's death and funeral, I had to put it aside for awhile because it was just too sad. There were times my vision blurred through tears to where I couldn't read. Mattie was an AMAZING, GIFTED, and HEROIC person!
Since my mother and sister had an adult onset form of Muscular Dystrophy, I've always been drawn to Mattie...more
Since my mother and sister had an adult onset form of Muscular Dystrophy, I've always been drawn to Mattie...more
Oh, what a book. I'm not easily led to tears, but this got me crying.
Put's your life into perspective. It's nice his mother continues to spread Mattie's message now that he's gone.
Instead of writing a review I'll leave you with Mattie's words--
"I Am"
I am black.
I am white.
I am all skin in between.
I am young.
I am old.
I am each age that has been.
I am scrawny.
I am well fed.
I am starving for attention.
I am famous.
I am cryptic.
I am hardly worth the mention.
I am short.
I am height.
I am any fram...more
Put's your life into perspective. It's nice his mother continues to spread Mattie's message now that he's gone.
Instead of writing a review I'll leave you with Mattie's words--
"I Am"
I am black.
I am white.
I am all skin in between.
I am young.
I am old.
I am each age that has been.
I am scrawny.
I am well fed.
I am starving for attention.
I am famous.
I am cryptic.
I am hardly worth the mention.
I am short.
I am height.
I am any fram...more
Mattie is so inspirational. The doctors predicted his death right after he was born, but he lived. They said that he would never learn like a normal child. They were right. Mattie started homeschooling when he was 10 at the learning level of a 9th grader. He died for five and a half minutes once. He's a miracle child, born July 17, on the 17th minute of the 17th hour (5:17 P.M.), measuring 17 inches and weighing 2,017 grams. His shyness eroded at age 6, and he began writing poetry he called his...more
I believe what Mattie says, that he was placed on Earth to be a messenger for peace. In his short, challenging life, Mattie inspired millions of people to celebrate life and play after every storm. I admire and thank Mattie’s mother, Jeni Stepanek, for her ability to put it all out there and share her son with us. I marvel at her talent for parenting to foster such creativity and spirituality in her child. This book provided the dialogue for me to express my emotion about mortality and the fear...more
A very special friend recommended this book, “Messenger”, to me. I am glad she did. This is one of those scenarios where I judged the book by it’s cover, and never would have considered picking it up on my own. I began reading, and within the first few pages alone I was moved and completely engrossed. I honestly believe this is a book that everyone needs to read. The power this child (Mattie J. T. Stepanek) had to touch peoples lives didn’t end with his death, because he touched mine simply by h...more
Being from the DC area, this was not the first I had heard of Mattie Stepanek. A radio station I listen to in the morning had him on before he passed away and have had his mother on regularly. Anytime I hear anyone speak of this kid...i run down into tears.
Reading into his story was a heartbreaking journey. It made you smile in places...made you cry in so many and made you wonder about how someone so young, could be so strong and so peaceful and so smart. This kid touched every single person he...more
Reading into his story was a heartbreaking journey. It made you smile in places...made you cry in so many and made you wonder about how someone so young, could be so strong and so peaceful and so smart. This kid touched every single person he...more
By page 3 of the prologue I was sobbing. I knew I was in trouble! I could only read this in small bunches because I'd be crying so much! I just finished it last night. I remember seeing Mattie on Oprah years ago, and learning about his life was incredible! The way he inspired so many around the world...he also inspired me. Times get tough, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I do, frequently. But when I feel like that, I'm trying to remember Mattie, his (and his mom's) daily struggles, and be tha...more
This book tore me apart and put me back together again. I'd heard of Mattie Stepanek before I picked up this book but knew little about him except that he was a child who suffered from a terrible disease and who published several books of poetry before his death. Mattie's mother Jeni, who also suffers from the same rare mitochondrial which killed all four of her children, writes beautifully about her son's extraordinary life and his legacy of peacemaking. If each of us could spread as much peace...more
I was truly touched with the story. I did feel that the way it was written could have been better organized which is the only reason i took off one star. Other than that this book was very inspiring a young boy with so much love joy and peace in his heart. It helps make us see that life is too short sometimes but we have to deal with what we have been dealt and make the best of it because we were all put here for a reason. Amazing story. My heart goes out to jeni for having to bury each one of h...more
MESSENGER is a powerful and inspirational message to all who read it. It’s a beautiful testimonial of strength and love beyond measure. This is Mattie’s legacy. This is a tender read, a detailed account of the life and feelings of Jeni Stepanek’s son Mattie who suffers the pan of muscular dystrophy. Mattie was an angel from heaven who looked beyond himself to do good for others, in spite of his own struggles to survive. He brought peace, love and harmony to all who knew him. This young man’s ind...more
I am in no way an "Oprah bandwagon jumper", but I saw one of the episodes of the last season and she was talking with Jeni Stepanek and I bought this book that evening. The optimism and love these two amazing people have is indescribable. Jeni wrote this book about Mattie (who is being considered for sainthood) and included some of his "heartsongs" within, told the story of his far too short life and all the millions he touched. Definitely a book to share with all generations and will inspire yo...more
This is the heartbreaking story of the life of Mattie Stepanek, a young poet and philosopher born with a fatal condition, as told by his mother, Jeni, who suffered from the same condition. This would have been a very depressing read had it not been for the very positive, inspirational, and up-lifting person that Mattie was throughout his life - and that seeps through between the lines of this entire book. This is one of those books that can become part of you and the way you see the world, if yo...more
This book was an amazing story of a family who were all diagnosed with a rare disease. The first three children died at a very young age, but the 4th child Mattie beat the odds and kept living. His life story is sad, yet very inspiring. I was amazed at how much this boy accomplished in such a little time. His plea for peace at a time when the world was yearning for it was readily accepted. He made his dreams happen and his hope and message inspired many other people. His poetry was beautiful and...more
I'm never sure how to rate such sad books. I knew what the ending to this would be and yet I had a curiosity about Mattie's hospital visits and health problems. In reading this book, I sort of feel sad for Mattie and especially his mother, but I also feel grateful to have the amount of health I have.
If you're looking for an uplifting book related to Mattie, I would recommend checking out any of his poetry books. In contrast, this book is well-written, but sad.
If you're looking for an uplifting book related to Mattie, I would recommend checking out any of his poetry books. In contrast, this book is well-written, but sad.
Truly, a life changing book. If you don't know Mattie Stepanek - google him. Absolutely inspirational. This is a book I would recommend listening to. Mattie's mother, the author, is reading it and there are recordings of Mattie too. For my audible friends, you can download this from my account at Jessie's house (hope that's ok). My version of itunes will not allow me share my books unless you sync your ipod with my computer. Oh - if I could only give this book ten stars...
Mattie J.T. Stepanek known as "The Heartsongs Kid" had profound wisdom well beyond his age. Mattie felt that he was put on earth to be a messenger for peace and he spent his short lifetime here on earth being that messenger despite the struggle at times to stay alive. Jeni, Mattie's mother, tells the story of Mattie's life as messenger of peace. Everyone should read this book. I cried many times reading the book but yet Mattie's determination and strength and wisdom touched my heart.
This book will change how you look at and live your life.
It made me laugh, it made me cry (and use almost an entire box of Kleenex), it made me appreciate everything and everyone so much more. Mattie was definitely an inspiration for all. Read this book, then continue to carry out Mattie's message of peace. You won't be sorry that you did!
It made me laugh, it made me cry (and use almost an entire box of Kleenex), it made me appreciate everything and everyone so much more. Mattie was definitely an inspiration for all. Read this book, then continue to carry out Mattie's message of peace. You won't be sorry that you did!
so far i really like this book. when one of my ela teachers were talking about it during class, i thaught it would be something cool to read.this isnt a book u would normaly see me read, but i do like it anywayz. and i am looking forweard to see what is happening next.
ttyl, Rhiannon
ttyl, Rhiannon
A brilliant boy-man. Richly gifted with intuition, grace and a desire to see a peaceful world. Peace dominated his thoughts and formed his dreams which he then recorded in poetic verse. His was a life well-lived, an example to others... and to the world. Inspiring
a wonderful tribute from Jeni Stenanek to her son Mattie. Mattie was a talented young man who had one of the Muscular dystrophies. he was a talented poet who died three weeks before his 14th birthday.Messenger is a lovely tribute. anyone who is a fan of this wonderful boy may like this autobiography.
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Jeni Stepanek, Ph.D., is the mother of the late NY Times bestselling child poet and peacemaker, Mattie J.T. Stepanek, and the mother of three other children, Katie, Stevie, and Jamie, who also died due to a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease. Jeni was diagnosed with the adult onset form of the condition only after the births of all four of her children. Her son, Mattie, created six bestselling b...more
More about Jeni Stepanek...
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Jul 04, 2011 08:37pm