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Just Peace: A Message of Hope
"I was touched by the depth of passion and awed by the firm resolve with which Mattie Stepanek pursued a dream that has evaded men and women throughout history. What began as a casual discourse, not too different from others I have had with inquisitive young people who have reached out to me, became a treasured and enlightening friendship that changed my life forever. With the purity of heart that only a child can possess, and the indomitable spirit of one who has survived more physical suffering than most adults will ever know, Mattie convinced me that his quest was not inconceivable. Inspired by his enthusiasm and without reservation, I committed to a partnership with him. . . . These words of wisdom and inspiration came from the most remarkable person I have ever known." --Jimmy Carter
Sometimes the most important messages come from the most unlikely places. Mattie J.T. Stepanek, a 13-year-old boy, made a difference before he died with his Heartsongs poetry. He continues to impact the world through Just Peace . This poet, best-selling author, peace activist, and prominent voice for the Muscular Dystrophy Association fervently believed in and promoted world peace not just as a concept, but as a reality.
Mattie was working on this manuscript with Jimmy Carter when he died in June 2004. His mother, Jeni, who edited the material and wrote a preface for the book has published it at her son's request. Just Peace explores Mattie's concept of the world and all people as a unique mosaic of gifts. War and injustice shatter the mosaic, which can only be made whole again by planning and actively pursuing peace. The young visionary's essays, poetry, and photographs appear throughout the book. Jimmy Carter has written a special foreword for the book.
Just as important to the book and enlightening to the reader are Mattie's many correspondences. Central to these are his personal e-mails to and from former president Jimmy Carter, Mattie's peace "hero" and role model. The Nobel Peace Prize winner met Mattie, considered him an angel, messenger, and hero in his own right, and was genuinely affected by Mattie's passion and drive. Just Peace is an intimate portrait of a president, a young man of hope, and peace itself.
Sometimes the most important messages come from the most unlikely places. Mattie J.T. Stepanek, a 13-year-old boy, made a difference before he died with his Heartsongs poetry. He continues to impact the world through Just Peace . This poet, best-selling author, peace activist, and prominent voice for the Muscular Dystrophy Association fervently believed in and promoted world peace not just as a concept, but as a reality.
Mattie was working on this manuscript with Jimmy Carter when he died in June 2004. His mother, Jeni, who edited the material and wrote a preface for the book has published it at her son's request. Just Peace explores Mattie's concept of the world and all people as a unique mosaic of gifts. War and injustice shatter the mosaic, which can only be made whole again by planning and actively pursuing peace. The young visionary's essays, poetry, and photographs appear throughout the book. Jimmy Carter has written a special foreword for the book.
Just as important to the book and enlightening to the reader are Mattie's many correspondences. Central to these are his personal e-mails to and from former president Jimmy Carter, Mattie's peace "hero" and role model. The Nobel Peace Prize winner met Mattie, considered him an angel, messenger, and hero in his own right, and was genuinely affected by Mattie's passion and drive. Just Peace is an intimate portrait of a president, a young man of hope, and peace itself.
- GenresPoetry
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
21 books40 followersMatthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek, known as Mattie Stepanek, was an American poet, who had six books of poetry and one book of essays all reach The New York Times bestsellers list. He became a peace advocate and motivational speaker, and lobbied on Capitol Hill on behalf of peace, people with disabilities, and children with life-threatening conditions.
Stepanek suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, that resulted in his death a month before his 14th birthday. His sister and two brothers also died from the disease during early childhood, and his mother, Jeni Stepanek, has the adult form, diagnosed only after all four of her children were born.
Stepanek suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, that resulted in his death a month before his 14th birthday. His sister and two brothers also died from the disease during early childhood, and his mother, Jeni Stepanek, has the adult form, diagnosed only after all four of her children were born.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 16, 2010
When Mattie Stepanek appeared on Oprah in 2001, she received more mail than she had gotten about a guest to date. I was one of those who responded. He was only 11 and dying of cancer. Make a Wish asked him what he'd like, and he responded, "To have my poems published, to meet Jimmy Carter, and to be on Oprah.
His poems were published by a tiny press in New England, Jimmy Carter called him on the phone, and he was on Oprah's show.
For someone so young and near death, he had the charisma, presence, and wisdom of someone much, much older. I still treasure the paperback copy of his first book of poems called "Heartsongs." I have used them as a teaching tool, for comfort, and shared them with many others. Of course, as his later books were published, I bought them all.
Several weeks after his spot on Oprah, he was a guest on "Good Morning America" where he was surprised by an in-person appearance by Jimmy Carter. From that meeting, the two became fast friends and planned to write a book together about peacemaking. Unfortunately, Mattie died just a month before his 14th birthday, but his mother, Jeni, and Jimmy finished the book he had dreamed of.
And what a book it is! It's still hard to believe that the essays and poems included were written by one so young.
Mattie wanted to be remembered as a poet and peacemaker. This book proves he was both.
Read it and be inspired!
His poems were published by a tiny press in New England, Jimmy Carter called him on the phone, and he was on Oprah's show.
For someone so young and near death, he had the charisma, presence, and wisdom of someone much, much older. I still treasure the paperback copy of his first book of poems called "Heartsongs." I have used them as a teaching tool, for comfort, and shared them with many others. Of course, as his later books were published, I bought them all.
Several weeks after his spot on Oprah, he was a guest on "Good Morning America" where he was surprised by an in-person appearance by Jimmy Carter. From that meeting, the two became fast friends and planned to write a book together about peacemaking. Unfortunately, Mattie died just a month before his 14th birthday, but his mother, Jeni, and Jimmy finished the book he had dreamed of.
And what a book it is! It's still hard to believe that the essays and poems included were written by one so young.
Mattie wanted to be remembered as a poet and peacemaker. This book proves he was both.
Read it and be inspired!
June 28, 2009
Now this guy could inspire a revolution. What a sweet, sensible inspiring individual. Your heart will be full when you read this.
December 19, 2023
This book, Just Peace: A Message of Hope by Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Jimmy Carter, is the 41st book I’ve read this year (2023).
I have to say this is one of the most thought-provoking, beautiful and inspiring books I have ever read.
The book is a bit different than a normal book, and it consists of Mattie’s poetry, emails between him and Jimmy Carter (as well as some other people), and many photos of Mattie.
I remember that Mattie made a difference when I was a child. I will never forget watching him on TV with Oprah Winfrey. However, I did not realize how inspirational his message truly was and is before reading this book.
This book NEEDS to be required reading in our schools. There are parts of this book for everyone but the message of peace is so profound throughout all the words.
Jimmy Carter wrote that Mattie was a “messenger of God” and as I read his words, I really believe that as well. Mattie’s message of hope and peace was so profound at such a young age but he left us all with so much to think about.
I had reached out to Jeni, Mattie’s mom, on Facebook a few years ago when I read some of Mattie’s poetry books about Heartsongs. I am further impressed by this book and I think everyone should read it.
This book is the easiest 5 out of 5 stars I’ve ever given.
I have to say this is one of the most thought-provoking, beautiful and inspiring books I have ever read.
The book is a bit different than a normal book, and it consists of Mattie’s poetry, emails between him and Jimmy Carter (as well as some other people), and many photos of Mattie.
I remember that Mattie made a difference when I was a child. I will never forget watching him on TV with Oprah Winfrey. However, I did not realize how inspirational his message truly was and is before reading this book.
This book NEEDS to be required reading in our schools. There are parts of this book for everyone but the message of peace is so profound throughout all the words.
Jimmy Carter wrote that Mattie was a “messenger of God” and as I read his words, I really believe that as well. Mattie’s message of hope and peace was so profound at such a young age but he left us all with so much to think about.
I had reached out to Jeni, Mattie’s mom, on Facebook a few years ago when I read some of Mattie’s poetry books about Heartsongs. I am further impressed by this book and I think everyone should read it.
This book is the easiest 5 out of 5 stars I’ve ever given.
October 13, 2017
A beautiful book filled with hope and peace. It's written by Mattie, a 13 year old boy who is far wiser than his years. Mattie's also had greater challenges than most people will ever experience. He suffers from a rare form of MS, he lived most of his life in a wheelchair, and was in and out of the hospital his whole life. Yet, the book is inspirational and hopeful.
Mattie's goals for his life were to: (1) publish his poems of peace (2) meet Jimmy Carter, his peacemaking hero and (3) meet Oprah. He was able to do all of these things in his lifetime. He developed a close relationship with Jimmy Carter and their letters to one another are included in the book. Jimmy Carter's eulogy to Mattie was very moving.
Mattie's poems are thoughtful and beautifully written. Although the book was written more than 10 years ago, Mattie's message of peace is very timely today!
Mattie's goals for his life were to: (1) publish his poems of peace (2) meet Jimmy Carter, his peacemaking hero and (3) meet Oprah. He was able to do all of these things in his lifetime. He developed a close relationship with Jimmy Carter and their letters to one another are included in the book. Jimmy Carter's eulogy to Mattie was very moving.
Mattie's poems are thoughtful and beautifully written. Although the book was written more than 10 years ago, Mattie's message of peace is very timely today!
May 30, 2019
I was struck by the high-level connections a 10-13 year old made to get his message out. It is as though, had he not been morbidly ill, he would not have received the "make-a-wishes" or attentions of the media. For those purposes, God had a plan that Mattie followed well. It makes me wonder what could happen for this generation if all children everywhere were granted without reservation 3 wishes.
March 28, 2020
I found this book among my moms collection, and put it away for a future time. That time is now. We need to remember the peace makers in our world, and to be reminded that each one has a part in making this a better world for everyone. I highly ecomend this book. I especially loved the poems he wrote.
September 27, 2018
This book will make you cry... it is touching and heart wrenching at the same time. Prepare to be drawing to tears by the story of a boy who truly knew what it meant to be a peacemaker and live.
May 22, 2015
I only knew of Mattie Stepanek for his Heartsong poetry series and for his role as spokesperson and ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I remembered watching him many years back as the grace-filled youth in the wheelchair during the MDA Labor Day Telethons with Jerry Lewis. And even then, I marveled at what a remarkable person he seemed to be. Outside of these things, I really knew nothing of him. When my Catholic book club selected Stepanek’s Just Peace: A Message of Hope for April’s reading selection, I was eager and curious to read what such a young person could possibly say to me. After finishing the book, I will admit, I was pleasantly surprised and stunned by the cogent and intellectual vision that he was so easily and soundly able to express.
Living life in a wheelchair with oxygen tubes and wires of a numerous sort embracing him like a mechanical octopus, would, in the eyes of most, seem not like a life at all, but rather, a hellish nightmare. But Mattie Stepanek never woefully dwelled long enough on his own limitations. While he was physically disadvantaged, religiously, spiritually, intellectually and mentally speaking, he was as strong as a stallion; his thinking, as expressed in this book, is sharp, penetrating and clear. And while his ideology for peace had a sweet naivety to it, oddly enough, it was that very innocence of thought and desire that gave his profound insights such a meaty weight, a kind of pause-for-thought uncontaminated potency. For all the time and energy that people use to knowingly and meticulously plot to do bad in the world, it would be amazing if people could stop what they were doing and briefly think, as Mattie says: Just peace. If everybody, in some degree or another, could stop bashing each other with cultural, political, economic and religious differences and stop and pause and reflect, if even only briefly, and think just peace, what could we come up with? This thinking of Mattie Stepanek’s was a religious and philosophical obsession, a calling even. Because peace has a grandiosity to it all on it’s own, it is amazing how razor sharp this little kid could whittle things down to their primary bare bones. Peace begins within ourselves and flows outward. Despite the bombardment of things contrary to peace, the flow of it can still continue, irrelevant of blockades. I think a lifetime in a wheelchair, coupled with a slew of hospitalizations as well as the additional loss of his siblings due to the same disease that he battled, cannot but help wizen a soul. It made him introspective and a seer of things that are unseen by the majority. And this book reads precisely that way
Because Mattie Stepanek died before Just Peace: A Message of Hope could be published, what this work really is is a tribute that encapsulates all that he stood for and all that he wanted to be. It comprises some of his beautiful poetry from his Heartsong poetry series such as: “Heavenly Gates,” “On being A Champion” and especially “The Church Ride.” There are also e-mails from some influential friends who guided him along his quest for peace. And there are also photos that capture happier times of when he was celebrating and preaching peace and just being a kid. All of this gives a well rounded portrait of a remarkable little boy (and of his mother, too) who would not be limited by disease. It is great to know that the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild has been established and that the Catholic Church is seriously looking deeply into his life for his possible Cause of Canonization. This was a surprisingly pleasant read.
Living life in a wheelchair with oxygen tubes and wires of a numerous sort embracing him like a mechanical octopus, would, in the eyes of most, seem not like a life at all, but rather, a hellish nightmare. But Mattie Stepanek never woefully dwelled long enough on his own limitations. While he was physically disadvantaged, religiously, spiritually, intellectually and mentally speaking, he was as strong as a stallion; his thinking, as expressed in this book, is sharp, penetrating and clear. And while his ideology for peace had a sweet naivety to it, oddly enough, it was that very innocence of thought and desire that gave his profound insights such a meaty weight, a kind of pause-for-thought uncontaminated potency. For all the time and energy that people use to knowingly and meticulously plot to do bad in the world, it would be amazing if people could stop what they were doing and briefly think, as Mattie says: Just peace. If everybody, in some degree or another, could stop bashing each other with cultural, political, economic and religious differences and stop and pause and reflect, if even only briefly, and think just peace, what could we come up with? This thinking of Mattie Stepanek’s was a religious and philosophical obsession, a calling even. Because peace has a grandiosity to it all on it’s own, it is amazing how razor sharp this little kid could whittle things down to their primary bare bones. Peace begins within ourselves and flows outward. Despite the bombardment of things contrary to peace, the flow of it can still continue, irrelevant of blockades. I think a lifetime in a wheelchair, coupled with a slew of hospitalizations as well as the additional loss of his siblings due to the same disease that he battled, cannot but help wizen a soul. It made him introspective and a seer of things that are unseen by the majority. And this book reads precisely that way
Because Mattie Stepanek died before Just Peace: A Message of Hope could be published, what this work really is is a tribute that encapsulates all that he stood for and all that he wanted to be. It comprises some of his beautiful poetry from his Heartsong poetry series such as: “Heavenly Gates,” “On being A Champion” and especially “The Church Ride.” There are also e-mails from some influential friends who guided him along his quest for peace. And there are also photos that capture happier times of when he was celebrating and preaching peace and just being a kid. All of this gives a well rounded portrait of a remarkable little boy (and of his mother, too) who would not be limited by disease. It is great to know that the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild has been established and that the Catholic Church is seriously looking deeply into his life for his possible Cause of Canonization. This was a surprisingly pleasant read.
September 7, 2015
JUST PEACE
BY MATTIE J. STEPANEK
Tkis is one of the most inspirational and moving books I have ever read. A few quotes from Mattie "Remember to play after every storm." "If we simply but profoundly, choose to make pece an attitude and a habit and a reality, peace is possible." Besides being a person or as he liked to referto himself an ambassador of peace. Mattie was also a poet.here is one of his shorter poems. UNFOLDING
BORN OF THE
DUST OF HUMILITY,
SPREAD ON THE
WINGS OF PRIDE,
CARRIED BY
WINDS OF HOPE,
I GROW WITH THE
EBBING TIDE.
Mattie was 13 years old when he died, he wrote this poem in 2001, he died in 2004. SO READ THIS BOOK BY A BOY WHO ONLY LIVED TO BE 13 YEARS OF AGE, YET THIS YOUNG MAN HAD THE WISDOM OF SOMEONE WHO LIVED TO BE 90. BESIDES "JUST PEACE", Mattie J. Stepanek has 7 books of poetry.
BY MATTIE J. STEPANEK
Tkis is one of the most inspirational and moving books I have ever read. A few quotes from Mattie "Remember to play after every storm." "If we simply but profoundly, choose to make pece an attitude and a habit and a reality, peace is possible." Besides being a person or as he liked to referto himself an ambassador of peace. Mattie was also a poet.here is one of his shorter poems. UNFOLDING
BORN OF THE
DUST OF HUMILITY,
SPREAD ON THE
WINGS OF PRIDE,
CARRIED BY
WINDS OF HOPE,
I GROW WITH THE
EBBING TIDE.
Mattie was 13 years old when he died, he wrote this poem in 2001, he died in 2004. SO READ THIS BOOK BY A BOY WHO ONLY LIVED TO BE 13 YEARS OF AGE, YET THIS YOUNG MAN HAD THE WISDOM OF SOMEONE WHO LIVED TO BE 90. BESIDES "JUST PEACE", Mattie J. Stepanek has 7 books of poetry.
April 1, 2012
This is the remarkable, touching story of Mattie Stepanek, a boy with a family trait of muscular dystrophy. Even as a young child, he was very wise and peaceful, and showed it by making a series of peace poems called "Heartsongs". He had dreams and wishes: 1. For world peace. 2. To meet President Jimmy Carter (who wrote a little bit of this, but the majority of it is written by Mattie himself and his mother, Jeni). 3. To meet Oprah Winfrey. All but 1. came true, and Mattie was a remarkable child that was lucky to be alive. In 2004, he died, but his legacy goes on. This is a touching an great read. One of the books you need to read before you die, I'd say.
November 16, 2015
Among many highlights are:
the emails between Mattie and former President Carter;
the pictures;
Mattie's description of MDA summer camp (his "week in heaven," which reminds me also of Camp Hope);
the five-page essay he wrote about Jimmy Carter when he was 7 years old; and
Jimmy Carter's eulogy from Mattie's funeral.
I was surprised to learn there's an effort to name Mattie a saint.
the emails between Mattie and former President Carter;
the pictures;
Mattie's description of MDA summer camp (his "week in heaven," which reminds me also of Camp Hope);
the five-page essay he wrote about Jimmy Carter when he was 7 years old; and
Jimmy Carter's eulogy from Mattie's funeral.
I was surprised to learn there's an effort to name Mattie a saint.
November 6, 2013
It is an amazing book of inspiration and peace. Mattie is an icon of peace and love, if he was still I live I would go and give him a big hug. This book is an illustration of everything I want to happen in the world as a peace activists.
March 29, 2014
This is a very sweet and thoughtful book about peace from an extremely brave little boy. Despite death knocking on his door almost daily, Mattie lived his life to the fullest and gave us his philosophies and poems on peace and hope.
July 31, 2020
This is a different kind of book, and a lot of the essays were a bit beyond my level. I did very much enjoy the email correspondences between Mattie and President Carter, as well as Mattie's own introduction to the book / his own autobiography in his own words.
June 8, 2010
One of the best I ever read. Mattie acknowledges his disability but it does not define his life. He's my kindred spirit.
March 23, 2012
Mattie was a special boy!! I wish he could have seen his book in print. His spirit and love for others should be in all of us. He was quite a poet and I really loved reading his work.
November 18, 2016
A young man, wise beyond his years, gone too soon from this earth.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews