COVID-19

Children often turn to stories to make sense of the world, so books addressing COVID-19 can help them better understand their own experiences. Not only are these 12 titles relevant to contemporary readers, they paint a valuable picture of this historic event for future generations and will stand the test of time.

Elements of collaboration, relationship building, and creativity in the game world help shore up those strengths in the real world, including for kids whose SEL skills were dulled by pandemic-induced social isolation.

Schools respond to the dip in reading scores with more tutoring and summer school programs; new reading curriculum; additional co-teachers and reading specialists in the classroom.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress released its fourth- and eighth-grade assessment on Monday, showing a three-point decline in reading scores from 2019 testing. 

The National Center for Education Statistics study of COVID's effect revealed a significant drop in reading and math scores for 9-year-olds. Lower-performing students saw the steepest decline.

Read about a book donation project for students in Uvalde, TX; a plea to Congress from the education community; News Literacy Project's educator and student of the year; and IMLS research on public libraries during the pandemic in this edition of News Bites.

Betsy Bird reflects on the international publishing market via the Bologna Children's Book Fair. 

Author Rick Riordan wrote a blog post in response to fans upset with the Disney+ casting of Percy Jackson and the Olympians; publishers and educational organizations join ALA's Unite Against Book Bans; and more, in this edition of News Bites.

In his speech, President Biden spoke of a need to help youth with mental health and learning issues caused by the pandemic. The White House released details of the plans for funding and support.