At ACS Athens, our students constantly inspire us with their creativity, curiosity, and determination. One such student is Ethan Chen, a fifth grader who has already accomplished something remarkable – he has written his own book titled “How to Read Effectively”.
Ethan joined ACS Athens in October, after moving from Beijing, China, where he previously attended Keystone Academy, an international school. Although he has only been part of our community for a short time, he has already shown an impressive passion for learning, writing, and innovation.
From an Idea to a Book
The inspiration for Ethan’s book began with something many students enjoy reading: graphic novels.
One day, while reading a graphic novel on his Kindle, Ethan had a small disagreement at home about graphic novels, which often have more pictures and less text than traditional books. This discussion got Ethan thinking about the many different ways people read and understand information. Inspired by that moment, Ethan went back to his room and began reflecting on his own reading habits—and soon the idea for his book began to take shape.
“I wanted to show that there are many ways to read effectively,” Ethan explained.
By dedicating about 30 minutes a day to writing, Ethan completed nearly 10,000 words in just two months.
Helping Others Become Better Readers
Ethan’s book includes 12 chapters focused on practical reading strategies. His goal is to help students – and even adults – develop stronger reading habits and better remember what they read.
One of the key ideas in the book is that re-reading can be more effective than trying to understand everything perfectly the first time. Ethan encourages readers to preview a book, understand its structure, and re-visit chapters to strengthen comprehension.
He also developed his own reading framework called the CIA Framework, which focuses on three stages:
- Constructive – understanding the main ideas
- Installation – understanding the information more deeply
- Application – using what you learn in real life
Through these ideas, Ethan hopes readers will not only improve their reading skills but also develop a positive mindset toward learning and help the world through reading.
Balancing School, Hobbies, and Writing
Despite his impressive accomplishment as a young author, Ethan enjoys a wide range of activities outside the classroom.
He plays tennis at ACS Athens, enjoys mountain biking, and has a unique hobby: building high-performance radio-controlled vehicles.
Ethan assembles RC cars, boats, and airplanes using motors, batteries, and electronic components—some capable of reaching impressive speeds. His passion for building and understanding how things work reflects the same curiosity and discipline that helped him complete his book.
Looking Ahead
Ethan’s book, “How to Read Effectively,’ is currently available for pre-sale as a digital edition, with the full release expected by April 2026.
When asked what advice he would give other students who want to write a book, Ethan shares a simple but meaningful message:
“Put your own experiences into your writing and express yourself.”
While he is proud of finishing his first book, Ethan says that in the future he hopes to become an engineer, continuing to design and build innovative things.
Celebrating Student Creativity
At ACS Athens, we are proud to celebrate students who turn their ideas into meaningful projects. Ethan’s dedication, creativity, and willingness to share his knowledge with others make him a wonderful example of student initiative and curiosity.