When I was asked to write a piece for School Library Journal about the ­anniversary of COVID, my first thought was, my God, has it been five years?! Followed by, are we finally ready to talk about the trauma that we survived? To this day, there are few events that send as much of a chill down my spine as COVID. Not only did we have to live with complete uncertainty over when life was going to return to “normal,” but we had to put up with bizarre plot twists that made every day infinitely more challenging: the manhunt for ­toilet paper! The hoarding of milk and eggs! Using a bathrobe belt around my face as a mask, because there weren’t any. OK, maybe the last one was just me.

But then I started thinking about all the stories I received over the years from kids after the publication of my novel New from Here. I wrote New from Here during publish them on my website the pandemic. It’s based on my real-life experience moving to the United States with my kids. It details in ­hilarious and heartstring-tugging candor how my kids adjusted to a new country, new school, new life—all during COVID.

[READ: Finding Our Way: How We Navigated the Chaos and Challenges of COVID-19 | 5 Years On]

I never expected the book to touch so many people, but as I received emails and stories from kids sharing their COVID experiences, it made me ­realize just how brave and courageous we all were, trying to keep our chins up and get through the unimaginable. There were stories of kids battling cancer during COVID. Clinging to the hope that they might one day go back to school. Making masks to support their mom, who worked in a grocery store. Being incredibly, incredibly bored on Zoom. Starting a hospital for worms in the backyard! Making a new friend playing Fortnite!

The stories were so heartwarming and special that I decided to publish them on my website. Collectively, the stories are a time capsule that ­forever show the power of the human spirit. I’m so proud of every ­single kid who got through this difficult time. I know it wasn’t easy—and I’m grateful for all the friendship bracelets, the new puppies, the sledding, and the books that provided hope. Books. What a small but powerful gift. As I read email after email, it was clear to me what a lifeline books were during the pandemic. As one kid, Ethan, age 11, wrote, “Books. Give. Me. Hope.”

[READ: Five Years After the Global Pandemic, Students, and Educators Need Support | 5 Years On]

I couldn’t agree more, Ethan. As my experience writing New from Here taught me, ­stories are what bond us. They’re what give us hope and light when our tank is empty. They’re what make us feel seen, so we know we’re not the only ones going through something. We’re not alone. As Nikka, age 9, wrote, “It was a difficult time, but I took comfort in knowing that every kid in the world felt the same way.” I’m grateful for all the stories that COVID gave us, the bravery, the resilience. The new friendships. The time with family. And of course, the deep, profound appreciation that we’ve all acquired for toilet paper!