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Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA), Sunshine State Young Readers Jr (SSRYA Jr) and Florida Teens Read (FTR)

The Sunshine State Young Readers Award program is sponsored by FAME and the Florida Department of Education for students in grades PreK - 12. This program was first implemented in 1983. Florida Teens Read comprises of fifteen titles that are chosen by sch

Program Descriptions

Grades 3 - 8

The Sunshine State Young Readers Award program is sponsored by FAME and the Florida Department of Education for students in grades 3-8. This program was first implemented in 1983.  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. Sunshine State books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation.  The SSYRA committee is comprised of 20 qualified school librarians located throughout the state of Florida, subdivided into two committees- grades 3-5 and grades 6-8" (SSYRA - FAME).  

More information can be found here.

SSYRA Jr & Independent Readers

Welcome to the newest reading award program sponsored by FAME: the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. (SSYRA Jr)! The mission of the SSYRA Jr. program is to develop student interest in reading for pleasure by exposing them to a wide range of appropriate literature. Sunshine State Jr. books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. Students are encouraged to listen to these books read to them, read them in a small group setting, or read independently to develop skills in fluency and comprehension. Students will be eligible to vote in the spring after listening/reading at least three of the books. The winning author and illustrator will be recognized at the annual FAME conference. (SSYRA Jr-FAME)

More information can be found here.

Florida Teen Reads

Florida Teens Read program  is designed to entice teens to read. In order to engage their interest and to provide a spur to critical thinking, the book selections include those that involve sensitive issues. The content of some of the titles may be more mature than younger students may have previously encountered. Please recognize that this is a voluntary reading program. Not every book selected will suit every student. In a democratic society, a variety of ideas must find voice. As readers, teens have the choice to read the more mature titles or to close the book.( Florida Teens Read-FTR)

More Information can be found here.