COVID-19

As we mark five years since COVID-19 emerged in the United States and consider the lasting impacts of the global pandemic, this list of books for young readers of all ages features representations of anxiety, grief, coping techniques and, most of all, hope.

Comics didn’t just survive COVID-19, they thrived. Despite the strain the pandemic placed on the industry, the audience for comics, graphic novels, and manga grew—and is still growing.

Absenteeism is at an all-time high, challenging school districts across the country. How to get students back? The school library could play a role, providing a safe space and sparking engagement.

With expertise, empathy, and innovation, librarians have supported students and patrons through COVID-19.

SLJ asked librarians, authors, and illustrators to reflect on their pandemic experience: the impact on them, their students, and readers; the innovations that stuck; the memories that linger; and the lessons we learned.

As the American education system continues to work toward recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say it’s vital to properly frame what happened and understand the multifaceted reasons behind the continued struggles.

Author Kelly Yang shares her unique COVID-19 experience, which reminded her of the power of stories, which "give us hope and light when our tank is empty."

March 2025  will be five years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We will mark the anniversary by sharing your memories of spring 2020 and the months that followed or thoughts on the impact that you still see today.

Early learning offerings by informed staff and programs extended from the height of the pandemic can help all young children thrive.