Fall 2025

Rewriting the Rules

How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability

  • Interest Level: Grade 1 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

When Kathleen Friel was young, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and a doctor told her parents all the things she’d never be able to do.

They left his office for good and found a new doctor.

As Kathleen grew up, she found her own methods to tackle tricky tasks and make her way through the world. After becoming fascinated by science, she went on to earn a PhD, investigating how injured brains can build new connections. She now runs her own lab, developing new techniques to help others with cerebral palsy.

This is the incredible story of how a determined scientist rewrote the rules and followed her dreams.

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979-8-7656-4727-1
$19.99
979-8-7656-8257-9
$24.99
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Interest Level Grade 1 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Biography, Diverse Books: Mental Health & Neurodiversity, Diverse Books: Physical Disability & Illness, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2025
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2025-09-09
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007090, JNF053180, JNF051030
Dewey 610.92 [B]
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Guided Reading Level Q
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Original artwork, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Danna Zeiger

Before pursuing her aspirations as a children’s literature author, Danna Zeiger was the biology professor and program director for Fisher College’s biology program, serving disadvantaged and first-in-the-family students from diverse backgrounds. While homeschooling her three spirited kids, Danna established a STEM accessibility and educational resource entitled DrZatHome. She a member of SCBWI and Storyteller Academy based in Massachusetts.

Illustrator: Josée Bisaillon

Josee Bisaillon grew up in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. Her illustrations are a mixture of collage, drawings, and digital montage, taking us into a richly detailed and multidimensional world.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Rewriting the Rules

When Kathleen Friel was young, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and a doctor told her parents all the things she’d never be able to do. They left his office for good and found a new doctor. As Kathleen grew up, she found her own methods to… View available downloads →

Awards

  • Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2025
  • School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Winner, 2025