by Jennifer Yoshikoshi

A Woodside Priory high school student has published a children’s book titled “In Tune,” a story that reflects the pressures that Asian-American students often face to meet parental expectations of success.

Adelyn Qian, 17, was inspired to write a book that accurately represented Asian-Americans allowing young children to see themselves in print.

Qian began brainstorming and researching for her story in 2023, during her sophomore year of high school. She spent late nights revising it while balancing her school work and extracurriculars. Qian also took time to speak with younger cousins, friends and community members about their experiences with Asian identity, family and belonging.

“I wanted to create a book where Asian kids weren’t just a side character, where they (weren’t) based on stereotypes or misassumptions,” Qian said.

She added that she’s experienced a lot of microaggressions which project the stereotype that all Asian youth are straight-A students and extremely scholarly. Qian said this was a common experience among her and her friends from as early as elementary school.

In her book, Qian wanted to remind young readers that despite the societal and parental pressures to succeed, everyone holds the power to “choose their own narrative.” She hopes that the story will remind children that they have their own voice and power to pursue creativity.

“In Tune” follows two Asian-American sisters, one who carries more creative pursuits and another who is the quiet straight-A student. Tensions begin to rise with the parents when the brainy sister expresses her desire to join her sister’s band for the talent show — defying the parent’s expectations of academic success.

To read the entire article: https://www.almanacnews.com/youth/2025/08/18/woodside-priory-student-published-childrens-book-on-asian-american-identity/