What is SSYRA?
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.
How does it work?
Students may check out the books from our Forest Ridge Elementary Media Center, the Citrus County Public Library, or parents may purchase them.
After reading the book in its entirety, student will login to AR on their iPad. If they pass the test, they will receive a brag tag!
More Info
What are the Titles for 2024-25?
What are the SSYRA Jr. Titles for 2024-25?