When Zoe Kalish ’26 was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a child, she didn’t imagine it would one day inspire her to become an author. Years later–long after completing treatment–Zoe has transformed her experience into Gabby’s Way to Grow, a children’s book that tells her story. Over the course of two Student Directed Projects (SDPs), Zoe has immersed herself in the world of writing, publishing, and marketing with the goal of using her story to uplift others.
I feel like I’m very proud of myself for the work I’ve done. I never thought I would lean into this insecurity of mine, but I feel so much better after the fact.
Zoe Kalish '26
Zoe’s book follows Gabby—a character based on her younger self—through diagnosis, treatment, and personal growth. “Gabby is my middle name… and the person on the cover is me, just a younger version of me,” she explains. Multiple characters in the book are also associated with people Gabby has met throughout her life, making Gabby’s Way to Grow an incredibly personal endeavor.
When the idea for Gabbys’ Way to Grow first came to Zoe, she took a slow and methodical approach to actualizing it. In addition to countless conversations with family, Zoe reached out to experts and did extensive research to figure out the ins and outs of writing a book. “It took a lot of trial and error,” Zoe says. “I did a lot of writing and editing at the beginning.”
An obstacle Zoe faced early on was that of writing for a younger audience. “One of the hardest parts was just thinking of ways to phrase everything in a positive light,” she shares. “It has a lot of emotions attached to it.” Through an SDP advised by Director of Upper School Ms. Brown, Zoe began to shape the story and tone of her book. “[Ms. Brown] helped me with ways to word it and phrase it for a younger audience.”
“Gabby’s Way to Grow” is for people with growth hormone deficiency, but it could also be for anyone struggling with any medical condition. It’s more just an overall story of how there’s always like a brighter side, and you should find that.
Zoe Kalish '26
Zoe knew that finishing and publishing Gabby’s Way to Grow was just the first step in her journey as an author. “I feel like being an author has many parts to it, it’s not just about writing,” Zoe says. To increase the visibility of Gabby’s Way to Grow, Zoe enlisted members of Beaver’s Marketing team for an SDP focused on publicizing her work. Through her second SDP, Zoe designed a website, launched a social media account, and created strategy around how best to promote Gabby’s Way to Grow. “My ultimate goal was for people to see it and feel inspired and fulfilled,” she mentions. “So I wanted to find ways to push that into a larger audience.”
By leveraging the expertise available at Beaver through two SDPs, Zoe transformed a personal experience with growth hormone deficiency into a learning tool for others. When reflecting upon the experience, she touches on the importance of vulnerability, encouraging others to avoid “feeling like you’re being held back by yourself,” and to “not worry about what other people think.” By exemplifying this advice through Gabby’s Way to Grow, Zoe hopes to make a positive impact on children similar to her. “When I was diagnosed, I felt very alone. If I had this, I would feel like I could relate to someone.”