We need limitations and temptations to open our inner selves, dispel our ignorance, tear off disguises, throw down old idols, and destroy false standards. Only by such rude awakenings can we be led to dwell in a place where we are less cramped, less hindered by the ever-insistent External. Only then do we discover a new capacity and appreciation of goodness and beauty and truth. --Helen Keller
McKinney teen pens book of hope
McKinney teen pens book of hope
Estar Hester spent four years writing “Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day - Lessons from a Wish Child.” The book was released in e-book form last Tuesday, and is anticipated to be released in print in November. This photo and others are available through MyCapture at www.scntx.com. Stefanie White/McKinney Courier-Gazette
For Estar Hester, suffering from life-threatening illnesses hasn’t stopped the 15-year-old McKinney North High School student from enjoying the greater pleasures in life.
“I like drawing, animation, like anime,” Hester said. “I’m really into the computer.
I like taking pictures of people.”
Hester suffers from chronic lung disease, scoliosis and an immune system problem, hypogammaglobulinemia. Despite these illnesses, Hester said she has lived a pretty good life.
“Pretty normal, the only thing I can’t do is physical activity,” Hester said. “It’s been OK.”
Last Tuesday, “Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day - Lessons from a Wish Child” was released in e-book form. The book, written by Hester, talks about life’s struggles and what you can do to stay strong.
“My book is mainly about to inform people on how to deal with problems that are ahead of them and basically give an example of what happened to me,” Hester said.
It was through the A Wish With Wings wish-granting agency Hester said she was first inspired to write her book about four years ago.
“There’s this one girl who influenced me named Sam,” Hester said. “She had a problem where she lost her hair.”
Hester said Sam wrote a book for those close to her about her experiences but she decided to write a book for all people to read.
“I want to make it for the community,” Hester said.
Vickie Hester said she and her daughter spent time working on her book off and on, sometimes in the most interesting places.
“Her first outline was done on the doctor’s examining room table paper,” Vickie said.
Along with writing her book, Hester is also an avid journalism student. She has written articles and created illustrations for the Scott Johnson Middle School newspaper, and is only the second freshman columnist at the McKinney North school newspaper.
“The reason I do journalism is to inform people about events,” Hester said. “Also, to improve my writing.”
Hester’s own battles are far from over. On Sept. 26, Hester will be going in for a spinal fusion and bone graft. The surgeries will be followed by lots of recovery time. Hester said she is a little bit nervous since she has gone through this before.
“It’s kind of hard not to be nervous because this is the third or fourth time they’ve opened my back up,” Hester said.
During her recovery time, Vickie said her daughter will have a tutor. She credits McKinney ISD for being supportive.
“The school district is being awesome,” Vickie said.
Vickie said anyone thinking her daughter’s book is a sad one will see that it’s quite the contrary.
“It’s a book about courage and hope,” Vickie said.
Hester said she hopes people who read her book will learn some valuable life lessons from it.
“I hope that people will not judge people because in school I’ll always hear racial comments,” Hester said. “Everybody’s the same, no matter what they look like.”
For the young writer, who plans on doing lots of writing while recovery, she has lots of plans in mind for her future writing career.
“I’m hoping people will like my ideas and I’m hoping one time I’ll at least make one anime show,” she said.
Hester’s book is available in e-book format. To order a copy for $5.95, send an e-mail to lessonsfromawishchild@gmail.com. A portion of the proceeds will be used to grant the wishes of other children battling life-threatening illnesses.
“I like drawing, animation, like anime,” Hester said. “I’m really into the computer.
I like taking pictures of people.”
Hester suffers from chronic lung disease, scoliosis and an immune system problem, hypogammaglobulinemia. Despite these illnesses, Hester said she has lived a pretty good life.
“Pretty normal, the only thing I can’t do is physical activity,” Hester said. “It’s been OK.”
Last Tuesday, “Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day - Lessons from a Wish Child” was released in e-book form. The book, written by Hester, talks about life’s struggles and what you can do to stay strong.
“My book is mainly about to inform people on how to deal with problems that are ahead of them and basically give an example of what happened to me,” Hester said.
It was through the A Wish With Wings wish-granting agency Hester said she was first inspired to write her book about four years ago.
“There’s this one girl who influenced me named Sam,” Hester said. “She had a problem where she lost her hair.”
Hester said Sam wrote a book for those close to her about her experiences but she decided to write a book for all people to read.
“I want to make it for the community,” Hester said.
Vickie Hester said she and her daughter spent time working on her book off and on, sometimes in the most interesting places.
“Her first outline was done on the doctor’s examining room table paper,” Vickie said.
Along with writing her book, Hester is also an avid journalism student. She has written articles and created illustrations for the Scott Johnson Middle School newspaper, and is only the second freshman columnist at the McKinney North school newspaper.
“The reason I do journalism is to inform people about events,” Hester said. “Also, to improve my writing.”
Hester’s own battles are far from over. On Sept. 26, Hester will be going in for a spinal fusion and bone graft. The surgeries will be followed by lots of recovery time. Hester said she is a little bit nervous since she has gone through this before.
“It’s kind of hard not to be nervous because this is the third or fourth time they’ve opened my back up,” Hester said.
During her recovery time, Vickie said her daughter will have a tutor. She credits McKinney ISD for being supportive.
“The school district is being awesome,” Vickie said.
Vickie said anyone thinking her daughter’s book is a sad one will see that it’s quite the contrary.
“It’s a book about courage and hope,” Vickie said.
Hester said she hopes people who read her book will learn some valuable life lessons from it.
“I hope that people will not judge people because in school I’ll always hear racial comments,” Hester said. “Everybody’s the same, no matter what they look like.”
For the young writer, who plans on doing lots of writing while recovery, she has lots of plans in mind for her future writing career.
“I’m hoping people will like my ideas and I’m hoping one time I’ll at least make one anime show,” she said.
Hester’s book is available in e-book format. To order a copy for $5.95, send an e-mail to lessonsfromawishchild@gmail.com. A portion of the proceeds will be used to grant the wishes of other children battling life-threatening illnesses.
