Hang Tough, Paul Mather

by Alfred Slote

Book Overview

HANG TOUGH, PAUL MATHER, originally published by Lippincott/Harper Collins, tells the story of a young pitcher who, thrown a curve by life, fires back. But living is more than a game for Paul, who has... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064401537
• ISBN13: 9780064401531
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: HarperTrophy
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Great Baseball Story

Paul Mather is a character that any baseball fan can relate to. Paul has a passion for pitching that is so strong, not even a incurable blood disease can stop him from getting on the mound. This is not only a story about baseball, but a story about life. I am an elementary eduacation student, and I hope to use this book in my classroom. The way Alfred Slote develops Paul's character through the story is amazing. As I read I felt like I was going through everything with Paul. If you have ever enjoyed books by Matt Christopher this is definetely a book for you to read. I would recommend this book to anyone age 9 and up.

Wonderful Juvenile literature book

This is a heartwarming tale of a young boy with leukemia and a zest for baseball. The theme of going after your goals, regardless of the obstacles, is personified in the main character of Paul Mather. Though set in the 1970's, this story transcends time to today. Many children are still fighting Leukemia, as well as many other illnesses. Children will connect with Paul forging his parents name on the permission slip for baseball. What child has not forged a signature, or thought about it, and then was caught? This experience by Paul is universal. Childhood love of activity, also gives universal appeal, through Paul's love of baseball. Many young boys, and some girls, can name their favorite player's statistics. Paul, the main character, is the same. This book is a wonderful story to share. I would use this in a middle school English classroom.

You keep hanging tough, Paul Mather!

I first read this book when I took a course in children's literature in college (17 years ago). I thought the book was good then, but just last night I finshed reading it again, this time to my three older children (ages 9.5, 8, and 6 yrs). It was a wonderful experience. They didn't want me to stop reading! The book captivated them and led them to ask great questions about leukemia and challenges the main character, Paul Mather, faced in the book.Without giving away anything about the guts of the book, Paul Mather is a 12 year old baseball pitcher. He lives, breathes and drinks in baseball. It's his life. But, as you soon learn, he is hampered in his dream world of baseball by a disease that sidelines him.This book is a true treasure for anyone looking for a character with a noble and hopeful spirit in the face of desparation and illness. This may be a great book to share with ill children. It's got a lot of "atta-boys" in it.You keep hanging tough, Paul Mather!5 stars all the way!Alan Holyoak

Heartwarming

The book is a very touching account of how twelve-year-old Paul Mather deals with his inner struggle of having cancer. He wants to play baseball so badly that we can honestly feel it inside of ourselves as we read the book. The reader can't help but feel all of Paul's emotion as we go on the neverending roller coaster ride of his young life. A must read. Kids will cherish it.

A wonderful book

This book must be wonderful for me to remember it years after I read it. I am 29 now and first read it in my early teens. It has so much to say about courage, character and dignity. I think it helped shape my views of what's really important in life. I hope that some kids come upon this book and read it, and that it affects their lives as it did mine.