Hang Tough, Paul Mather

In the mid-1970s, when I was around ten years old, I used to read this book over and over. It's not a long book, and it only has a few major scenes, but they're powerful moments, and Alfred Slote writes baseball action perfectly--the strategy, the required skill. As a boy I never understood what having leukemia really meant, except that the main character was sick and weak in the hospital. As a grown-up, I find the book very moving because cancer has appeared in my life a few times over the years. It's still one of my favorite books, but now that I'm a dad it brings tears to my eyes.

This was my all-time favorite book when I was in 4th grade. I bought a copy for my kids to read, and my daughter liked it now just as much as I did way back in the day.

A beautiful book, sensitively written .

I am floored that every reviewer of this book has given it 5 stars, because this novel is such a disappointment, and so incredibly boring. The key is that there are only 12 reviews: these must be the 12 people in the world who actually like this book!I gave the book to my fifth grade son to read (before I read it myself) and I couldn't understand why he was so blase about it, because it seemed like a story with such promise . . . until I read it myself (and then understood). The author Alfred Slote is definitely a baseball fan: the two baseball games described in the book go on and on and on -- every nuance of every play -- and are the primary reasons the book is so boring.There is nothing interesting about any of the characters, even the doctor (Tom Kinsella) who the author tried so hard to make sound cool. I can't believe that Alfred Slote got so many books published, because his writing style is so uninteresting.

Hang Tough, Paul Mather is a great children's story. Paul Mather is an admirable character who has a winning attitude and fighting spirit despite having cancer. The story ends with Paul Mather still fighting cancer, but with a hope of him beating it because of his positive attitude towards life. He relates the game of baseball to life in which you play the game to win. A wonderful book to share with a child who might have cancer or know someone who is going through treatment.

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

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.

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.