This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl

Title: This Star Won't Go Out
Author: Esther Earl, Lori Earl, Wayne Earl, John Green
Pages: 431


A collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16. Photographs and essays by family and friends will help to tell Esther’s story along with an introduction by award-winning author John Green who dedicated his #1 bestselling novel "The Fault in Our Stars" to her.
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I cannot explain how beautiful this book is and how I have grown a deep relationship for Esther Earl. I don't want this to be a book review; I do not want to simply "review" it.  I do not want to feel sad when I think about Esther, who was such a beautiful girl, because she said so. This book did not simply feel like a nonfiction novel or a biography. It was much more meaningful and deeper than that. 

It is impossible for me to physically be able to talk to Esther, or to look at her and have a simple conversation. But that does not mean that I cannot connect to her and love her.  Reading her entries and her writing made me feel loved and made me love her. I regret not knowing about her when she was alive, but I do not believe she is dead. For her soul and spirit is still there, somewhere, starting a new adventure each day. 

Like I said, I can not review such an empowering emotional book, but instead I would like to send a letter to Esther.



Dear Esther,

I know you do not know me, but I feel like I've known you all my life. It seems unfair to say that, but I truly believe it. I know you don't want to be remembered as the sad girl who died from cancer, so you won't be. I pray for you, Esther. I know that what you said about God is true, and that he is controlling everything and is the reason for everything. I don't want to feel sorry for you, but I am sorry. I'm sorry that you couldn't do everything you wanted to. I'm sorry that I never got to meet you and be able to see how amazing you are in person. You've really enlightened a lot of people, and I am sorry you aren't here to see that.

It's funny how you said you felt useless and lazy and wanted to help more, and I, as a person living a normal life, am ashamed to say that I did not feel that way before reading this book. I know if you were here, you would tell me to take advantage of my life and to embrace life and not chastise over death, which is exactly what I am trying to do.

There are many reviews of this book, praising you for how wonderful you are. I can honesty say that even if you weren't as known as you were, as the girl who John Green dedicated his novel to, I would still love you just as much. I want to spread my love for everyone in the world who needs it. I am not one that over uses the word, but uses it greatly to express my feelings. 

You are a beautiful child Esther. An amazing person. Know that my love is here for you always.

~Cindy (I promise you, that this star will NEVER go out)


My Rating:
✰✰✰✰✰

My overall thought: An empowering  influential book that isn't about a girl who died from cancer, but about a girl who embraced life more because of it.