Chasing Lee
A Memoir of Raising a Neurodivergent Child
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Pub Date 27 Oct 2026 | Archive Date 31 Oct 2026
Description
The moment Jennifer Gay Summers’s adopted daughter, Lee, took her first steps, joy filled the house—and the chase began. Jennifer was swept into a whirlwind of motherhood with a bold, curious child wired without brakes.
Drawing strength and wisdom from her years of teaching at-risk high school students, Jennifer became Lee’s fiercest advocate. An ADHD diagnosis was just the beginning. Sensory and learning disabilities, along with anxiety and depression, followed, creating a mountain of neurodivergent challenges. With Lee stuck in a school system ill equipped to handle children with mental health struggles, Jennifer was forced to come to grips with losing every last traditional parenting expectation—and in doing so found a deeper meaning to her life, turning hardship into joy.
More than a memoir, Chasing Lee encourages parents of neurodivergent children to shift perspectives and find valuable survival tools using compassionate guidance and hard-won hope. Jennifer’s inspirational story shines a light on the humanity that connects us, no matter the disabilities or labels—and is a testament to the power of unconditional love and the freedom found in letting go.
A Note From the Publisher
INSIGHT INTO THE ADHD CRISIS IN THE US: Roughly 1 in 9 US children have been diagnosed with ADHD, with over 1 million more diagnoses recorded in 2022 than in 2016; as the numbers rise, the struggles of parents navigating children’s mental health challenges are pervasive and universal, making Chasing Lee both timely and relatable.
EDUCATIONAL VALUE: More than an inspiring memoir, Chasing Lee offers practical insights and real-life tools for parents navigating a child’s mental health journey.
PENNED BY A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSIDER: A UCLA alumna who grew up in Pacific Palisades, the author’s Southern California roots inform her storytelling, bringing authenticity to the communities, schools, and landscapes that shape her memoir.
PERFECT FOR BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION: Chasing Lee shines a light on today’s youth mental health crisis, inviting readers into powerful conversations about resilience, acceptance, and evolving parental norms.
Advance Praise
“A moving remembrance that clearly renders both a parent’s and child’s journeys.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Summers captures the beauty, pain and transformative power of
parenting in Chasing Lee.”
—Cassandra Lane, author of We are Bridges and editor-in-chief of L.A. Parent
“For parents just beginning this path, this book is a comforting
reminder that there is light ahead, and that you never have to walk
it alone. Bravo, Jennifer, for helping illuminate the way.”
—Navah Paskowitz-Asner, cofounder and executive director of the Ed Asner Family Center
“This is a must-read book for parents and educators wishing to help
an atypical child carve out their own unique pathway to success.”
—Dr. Anthony Rao, coauthor of The Way of Boys
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798896361602 |
| PRICE | $17.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 256 |