What do you think?
Rate this book
Hang Tough, Paul Mather
Paul Mather's a pitcher -- a really good one. His off speed pitch is enough to bowl a kid backward, and his fast ball is pure smoke. There isn't anything he can't throw, from sliders, change-ups, and sinkers to a mean curve ball that breaks at just the right moment. He's pitched no-hitters and perfect games. To Paul, pitching is what you live for and why you live. Lately, though, Paul hasn't been allowed to do much of anything, much less play ball. He's got leukemia, and it's put him into the hospital several times already. His parents are so worried, they've forbidden him to play the game he loves so much. They're afraid that if Paul strains himself his illness may come back a final time...and maybe even take his life. But Paul is a winner. His team needs him, and he won't give up without a fight. Paul Mather is determined to pitch every inning...to keep playing baseball, and to keep hanging tough, no matter what the odds.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
5 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Alfred Slote
41 books12 followersAlfred Slote (born September 11, 1926) is a children's author known for his numerous sports and space novels. His writing has been described as "making space travel seem as ordinary as piling in the family wagon for a jaunt to McDonald's". Slote's 1991 novel Finding Buck McHenry was adapted into a 2000 television film. He currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 15, 2014
I read this book 30 years ago and the name stays with me, it was that good.
July 23, 2024
Alfred Slote’s 1973 YA novel, Hang Tough, Paul Mather, has occupied a place of honor on my bookshelf for the last four decades. My waterlogged and dog-eared copy has been put in storage, moved across the country, and ultimately traveled with me ten years ago to my new home in Abu Dhabi, where it rests as a token of my youth, a point of inspiration, and a reminder of the power of books to frame our lives.
I first read Hang Tough, Paul Mather in 5th grade, and checked it out from the school library so many times that my parents, unable to locate another copy, finally just bought it from the school. Re-reading the book now as an adult, it is not hard to see why I identified so strongly with Paul, the main character: I would have been about his age, baseball-obsessed, in a college town, with younger siblings and two parents at home, living in a house with a tree-filled yard. Unlike Paul, though, I was not horribly, unfairly sick with leukemia. Still, reading this book at that age I would have had no idea that his story was preparing me for tragic events that would unfold in my life just a few years later.
Beyond identifying with Paul, I can also see now why I would have enjoyed Hang Tough, Paul Mather so much and read it so many times, because it’s just a darn great book. Slote’s storytelling is vivid and description-filled, with easy but strong prose; an early description of Paul holding a baseball after a long layoff (p. 25) is tactile and real. The characters are all genuine: Paul just wants to be a kid and play. His parents--a Geology professor dad and a stay-at-home mom--sacrifice careers and stability as they desperately but calmly seek out health care options for him. Paul’s younger brother is mostly oblivious, waffling between not wanting to deal with the reality of his brother’s illness and a fierce protectiveness. The little conversations and annoyances between all four of them feel real and lived-in.
We also get to meet Paul’s doctor, Tom Kinsella, whose role and character grows as the book progresses. Dr. Kinsella, in many ways, becomes the hero of the story. About the time I was reading and re-reading this book again and again, I distinctly recall telling a great-aunt that my new childhood dream job was to be an oncologist. Although later failures in my high school Biology class derailed that dream, it is not hard to see why I looked at Dr. Kinsella as a role model: he’s compassionate, caring, funny, dedicated, and loves kids (and can juggle, to boot!).
The book unfolds quickly, and is deeply realistic; it feels like real life, and there are no plot twists or characters that feel out of place or are surprising. It’s not a complex story, and it is relatively clear how the plot will unfold early on. But it is lovingly told, the descriptions are excellent, and scenes are set thoroughly yet with an impressive economy of language; it’s easy to picture exactly how Slote sees the characters, settings, and actions. The baseball scenes, in particular, are immaculate: Slote is clearly a huge fan, and describes the action knowledgeably and passionately, especially the psychological side of the game.
Over the course of the book, Paul, the main character, moves back and forth through time: the book is set in a hospital room, but many of the chapters are his first-person narrations of his family’s recent move to Arborville, MI (a lightly-fictionalized version of Ann Arbor, as far as I can tell) and his desires to join a Little League team sponsored by a local dairy. Paul is indelibly drawn: he’s fed up with being taken care of, wants to help with everyday tasks like bringing in the luggage, and both enjoys and is annoyed by his younger brother. Paul’s passionate love of baseball--he is a star pitcher, with a fastball that can literally knock a kid over--gives him meaning, joy, and hope while he faces an incurable disease. As Paul says, baseball is in his blood, “right along with my rotten disease.” (p32) We only get to see him pitch twice, and he appears in a hospital gown more than a baseball uniform, but the mound is where he feels free, at home, and in his natural habitat. The hospital room, by contrast, is his jail (p. 122).
Reading this book in elementary and middle school, I would have had no way to know that Paul’s leukemia diagnosis would be the same cancer that would have a massive impact on my life just a few years later. In the spring of my sophomore year of high school, one of my best friends, L., received a diagnosis that she, too, had leukemia. I remember re-reading Hang Tough, Paul Mather then, just to help me recall the small amount I knew about what it might be like to have cancer as a kid. I gave L. my copy of Hang Tough, Paul Mather, with a note tucked inside telling her what the book meant to me. After she died that December, I visited her grieving parents and asked if I could have that copy back; that book, with my carefully printed note still tucked inside, is the one I still cart around the world with me today.
That’s why Hang Tough, Paul Mather is more than a book to me. It prepared me for the cruelty and unfairness of childhood diseases, and how none of us can truly wrap our heads around sick kids. It’s a reminder of how all of us can choose kindness and hope and love, even though we know that loving others is fraught with the challenge that we can and often will be hurt by the outcomes of those relationships. In the end, Hang Tough, Paul Mather was one of the first lessons that really stuck for me on the necessity for all of us to live with hope and courage and passion for the things we love. It helped me navigate the difficult waters of growing up and deciding who I wanted to be, and I will be forever grateful for it. It is one of the most important books I have read in my life, and will remain with me always.
I first read Hang Tough, Paul Mather in 5th grade, and checked it out from the school library so many times that my parents, unable to locate another copy, finally just bought it from the school. Re-reading the book now as an adult, it is not hard to see why I identified so strongly with Paul, the main character: I would have been about his age, baseball-obsessed, in a college town, with younger siblings and two parents at home, living in a house with a tree-filled yard. Unlike Paul, though, I was not horribly, unfairly sick with leukemia. Still, reading this book at that age I would have had no idea that his story was preparing me for tragic events that would unfold in my life just a few years later.
Beyond identifying with Paul, I can also see now why I would have enjoyed Hang Tough, Paul Mather so much and read it so many times, because it’s just a darn great book. Slote’s storytelling is vivid and description-filled, with easy but strong prose; an early description of Paul holding a baseball after a long layoff (p. 25) is tactile and real. The characters are all genuine: Paul just wants to be a kid and play. His parents--a Geology professor dad and a stay-at-home mom--sacrifice careers and stability as they desperately but calmly seek out health care options for him. Paul’s younger brother is mostly oblivious, waffling between not wanting to deal with the reality of his brother’s illness and a fierce protectiveness. The little conversations and annoyances between all four of them feel real and lived-in.
We also get to meet Paul’s doctor, Tom Kinsella, whose role and character grows as the book progresses. Dr. Kinsella, in many ways, becomes the hero of the story. About the time I was reading and re-reading this book again and again, I distinctly recall telling a great-aunt that my new childhood dream job was to be an oncologist. Although later failures in my high school Biology class derailed that dream, it is not hard to see why I looked at Dr. Kinsella as a role model: he’s compassionate, caring, funny, dedicated, and loves kids (and can juggle, to boot!).
The book unfolds quickly, and is deeply realistic; it feels like real life, and there are no plot twists or characters that feel out of place or are surprising. It’s not a complex story, and it is relatively clear how the plot will unfold early on. But it is lovingly told, the descriptions are excellent, and scenes are set thoroughly yet with an impressive economy of language; it’s easy to picture exactly how Slote sees the characters, settings, and actions. The baseball scenes, in particular, are immaculate: Slote is clearly a huge fan, and describes the action knowledgeably and passionately, especially the psychological side of the game.
Over the course of the book, Paul, the main character, moves back and forth through time: the book is set in a hospital room, but many of the chapters are his first-person narrations of his family’s recent move to Arborville, MI (a lightly-fictionalized version of Ann Arbor, as far as I can tell) and his desires to join a Little League team sponsored by a local dairy. Paul is indelibly drawn: he’s fed up with being taken care of, wants to help with everyday tasks like bringing in the luggage, and both enjoys and is annoyed by his younger brother. Paul’s passionate love of baseball--he is a star pitcher, with a fastball that can literally knock a kid over--gives him meaning, joy, and hope while he faces an incurable disease. As Paul says, baseball is in his blood, “right along with my rotten disease.” (p32) We only get to see him pitch twice, and he appears in a hospital gown more than a baseball uniform, but the mound is where he feels free, at home, and in his natural habitat. The hospital room, by contrast, is his jail (p. 122).
Reading this book in elementary and middle school, I would have had no way to know that Paul’s leukemia diagnosis would be the same cancer that would have a massive impact on my life just a few years later. In the spring of my sophomore year of high school, one of my best friends, L., received a diagnosis that she, too, had leukemia. I remember re-reading Hang Tough, Paul Mather then, just to help me recall the small amount I knew about what it might be like to have cancer as a kid. I gave L. my copy of Hang Tough, Paul Mather, with a note tucked inside telling her what the book meant to me. After she died that December, I visited her grieving parents and asked if I could have that copy back; that book, with my carefully printed note still tucked inside, is the one I still cart around the world with me today.
That’s why Hang Tough, Paul Mather is more than a book to me. It prepared me for the cruelty and unfairness of childhood diseases, and how none of us can truly wrap our heads around sick kids. It’s a reminder of how all of us can choose kindness and hope and love, even though we know that loving others is fraught with the challenge that we can and often will be hurt by the outcomes of those relationships. In the end, Hang Tough, Paul Mather was one of the first lessons that really stuck for me on the necessity for all of us to live with hope and courage and passion for the things we love. It helped me navigate the difficult waters of growing up and deciding who I wanted to be, and I will be forever grateful for it. It is one of the most important books I have read in my life, and will remain with me always.
January 24, 2019
This was my favorite book when I was a kid. I've probably read it 100 times and it is still just as good at the first time.
January 8, 2026
One of the favorite books of my childhood. Maybe the first book to make me cry.
July 2, 2009
This book was about a kid named Paul that has leukemia. Leukemia is very rare and strikes kids but can be grown out of. He is a real good pitcher in baseball but because of his disease, his parents won't let him play it. Besides Leukemia, Paul is the coolest kid on the block with his high velocity fastball, an amazing curveball, and other throws. He lies to his parents and forges his dad's signature just to get on the team but boy, was that a bad decision.
I can relate to Paul Mather because even if my parents tell me not to do something that i love, i will still do it. Kids DO make wrong decisions. Parents guide kids very well trough problems and conflicts.
I rated this book 4 stars. It was very good but it didn't bring out the excitement like other books i read did. This is a baseball book so I would recommend his to any baseball player out there or anyone that wants to play baseball.
I can relate to Paul Mather because even if my parents tell me not to do something that i love, i will still do it. Kids DO make wrong decisions. Parents guide kids very well trough problems and conflicts.
I rated this book 4 stars. It was very good but it didn't bring out the excitement like other books i read did. This is a baseball book so I would recommend his to any baseball player out there or anyone that wants to play baseball.
July 29, 2009
Paul is fighting two battles. The biggest one is his battle with Leukemia that's slowly draining his energy and life out of him, but something else that's fighting against Paul is his desire to play baseball again. Told through the recollections of Paul as he's laying in the hospital, you hear how he came about playing his last game and the interesting people he met along the way. I love how the author has made the relationship between Paul and his doctor so intimate. The doctor is really the only person Paul can trust and slowly you see how the two work off each other to relieve stress and to acknowledge what the other knows but isn't willing to say. Just the interesting baseball story line alone sets this book apart from most. This book will appeal to both sports fans, and readers who love a good "deep" book. A great addition to anyone's library collection.
March 5, 2012
Such a great read! A 2 year old boy and his love for baseball helps him through the most difficult times. He is a great at baseball. He is going through the struggle of fighting Leukemia. Because of his disease his parents won't let him play. Baseball is helping him through the difficulties og getting treatment.
January 6, 2026
A great book for any youth (or adult) to learn (or be reminded) of the importance of life, kindness, determination, and the value of being present for others.
It covers true feelings, wants, desires as well as deep topics that help us realize insight and wisdom comes through united efforts of sincere transparency.
It covers true feelings, wants, desires as well as deep topics that help us realize insight and wisdom comes through united efforts of sincere transparency.
October 23, 2014
I thought this book was a very fun book to read. IT is about a baseball pitcher and is team. Paul goes through allot of struggles throughout the book. HE becomes sick, but he couldn't not play the game because he knew his team needed him to get the victory. Paul keeps running into problems but still plays so his team can come out with a victory.
November 13, 2009
I really liked this book. I do not like baseball, but this book gave me the perspective from a player rather than a spectator. I also liked the balance between sports related stuff and teh rest of the story.
May 9, 2009
This is a really great book because you can't check out another book similar too this one it is great!! Though Paul ended up in a wheel Chair he was Happy for what he did!!
February 11, 2011
This book could have been better
February 11, 2011
This book had a very touching and great ending.
January 18, 2016
reading this book was a pretty vivid childhood memory. sad story.
Read
October 7, 2016580L
December 30, 2016
Not as strong as "Jake" or "Tony and Me" but still another great off-center book about kids, sports and their love for games as a metaphor for growing up. No one did it better.
June 13, 2020
This was the first book I read multiple times—I read it twice in elementary school, and I remember it profoundly affecting the way I view death and friendships.
July 13, 2010
Great read. Rather inspirational for a fiction sports story
February 12, 2011
One of my favorite when I was a kid
May 26, 2011
Read this a long time ago, but it stuck with me; very believable story line.
June 17, 2014
Best youth sports book ever written
Read
October 18, 2018Oh. My. God. Read this more than once in 4th or 5th grade? My class had a battered paperback and I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews