This statewide program promotes reading for students in third through eighth grades. The titles are chosen each year by 20 school librarians across the state of Florida.
"The purpose of the SSYRA Program is to encourage students to read independently for pleasure and to read books that are on, above, and below their reading level in order to improve their reading fluency," according to the program's website. "Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation."
Sunshine State Young Reader (SSYRA) Junior books are a mix of picture and early reader books that have been published within the last year. Reviewed by Librarians across the state, they are selected for consideration for the SSYRA Jr. Award.
Who chooses the winner you ask?
The kids!
Read the selected titles and tune in later in the year to vote and select the 2022 SSYRA Jr winner.
Our holding of the SSYRA Jr. titles can be found here: SSYRA Jr. (K-2)
It is quite an adventure to decide the winner. Students from across the state of Florida read the books and talk about them with family, friends, and teachers. In the spring, students vote to decide who deserves this prestigious award.
Read the selected titles and tune in later in the year to vote and select the 2022 SSYRA 3-5 winner.
Our copies of the SSYRA 3-5 titles can be found here: SSYRA Elementary (3-5)
Past winners of this famous award include: City Spies by James Ponti and Restart by Gordon Korman.
Every year it is a challenge for students across the state to read all 15 books during the summer and school year and make the tough call of who deserves to win.
Do you have what it takes to decide the winner?
Take a look at our copies of the titles under consideration here:
Originally Posted by JohnJ on April 30, 2021