Federle made a vow a week before he turned 30 to write a novel.

CNN: 'Idol' fans will love 'Better Nate Than Ever'

For Nate and for Federle, a love of musical theater is what sets them apart from their classmates, but it's also their life-saver.

CNN: 'Idol' fans will love 'Better Nate Than Ever'

Federle hopes readers find "Nate" especially relevant in a day where many kids who want to perform on stage are bullied or picked on for being different.

CNN: 'Idol' fans will love 'Better Nate Than Ever'

While Federle ultimately made his Broadway dreams come true, after 10 years performing on stage, he found himself closing in on his 30th birthday and feeling like he was stuck in a creative rut.

CNN: 'Idol' fans will love 'Better Nate Than Ever'

Dr Federle and his colleagues argue that the complex arrangement of pegs and channels around the hexagonal cells has evolved to drain the mucus rapidly away from the toe pads, allowing the tree frog to grip.

ECONOMIST: How tree frogs keep their grip

Federle says desire, talent and hard work are all part of the equation, but what he really wants readers to take away from his book is to dream big, be brave and hold on to hope.

CNN: 'Idol' fans will love 'Better Nate Than Ever'

Whether it's musical theater, sports or academics, Federle encourages young people to find that thing that makes them unique and hold on to it, because it could very well be their ticket to greatness and success as an adult.

CNN: 'Idol' fans will love 'Better Nate Than Ever'