A novel themed around children’s lives throughout the lockdown imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Stay Home’ tells the story of Ruruko and the changes she experiences in both lifestyle and emotions during this challenging period – which many of the target readers (upper years of elementary school) will have gone through too.

At first, Ruruko feels a sense of relief at her school closing, albeit guiltily. School had always been a challenging place for her, but she had never been able to articulate why. Lockdown and the loss of the school space forces her to think about her relationship with the school and with friends, against a broader backdrop of social issues relevant to contemporary Japan.  

Author, Kaeko Kiji is a renowned YA author, most recently celebrated for her book ‘Robert, the Cat Paediatrician’.