At the Library, Wishes Come True!

Fifteen-year-old Payden Taylor enjoys reading and writing.

He has read every bestselling novel written by author Rick Riordan. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Heroes of Olympus are among his favorite books.

Payden’s teachers say he has been a great writer since fourth grade. At age 15, his dream is to someday become a best-selling author like Rick Riordan. The teen has long wished for an opportunity to meet him.

This month, A Wish With Wings and the Arlington Public Library teamed up to make his wish come true.

With a lap top connected to the internet, the magic of technology made it possible for Payden to visit one-on-one with Rick Riordan inside the Teen Underground Studio at the Central Library.

“A Wish With Wings is honored to be able to grant Payden this very important wish today,” said Executive Director Judy Youngs.

This Arlington-based non-profit was created for the sole purpose of granting the wishes of Texas children diagnosed with life-threatening diseases. Since 1982, they have granted more than 1,200 wishes to children between the ages of 3 and 18.

In 2010, Payden was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. Today, he is in remission and cancer free.

For more on this story and a video, go to arlingtontx.gov.