A courageous youngster who used his battle with cancer to pen an inspirational book has passed away.

Matthew Epp, a boy from the west-central Saskatchewan community of Fiske, wrote the book Hope & the Dragon.

It was a story of faith, hope and courage.

During his 16 years, Epp touched many lives and also taught much older people some important life lessons.

Epp's one time tutor Elaine Schmidt says Matthew taught her about accepting life and living for the moment.

"He taught me a lot of things of how to accept life.  That we shouldn't take life for granted." she said from Epp's elementary school in D'Arcy, Saskatchewan.

Virtually everyone in the school knew Epp well.  Only 31 students attend the school 22 miles west of Rosetown.

"We're so small, we're one big family." Schmidt says.  "I'll remember him as a very special, kind person."

A funeral will be held Wednesday in Rosetown.

Epp was 16 years old.

To order Matthew's book, visit http://www.hopeandthedragon.com/