The Sunshine State Young Readers Award program is designed to increase reading motivation for students in grades 3-8. This book club focuses on the 15 books chosen for upper elementary learners (grades 3-5); however, more advanced students in grades 1 & 2 would also certainly enjoy this club!

Each week, we will have activities and discussions centered around the novel. There will be a specific focus on literary elements and vocabulary.

Students are welcome to drop in for particular books they are interested in reading and can skip books that do not sound interesting to them. All students are encouraged to join the challenge of reading all 15 books though!

Each book will be dedicated two meetings over two weeks (except for the August book). It is expected that students read half of the book before the first meeting and finish the book by the second meeting.

Novel Schedule:

August
 - August 27 & September 3: Manatee Summer by Evan Griffith

September
 - September 10: The Aquanaut by Dan Santat
 - September 17 & 24: The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney

October
 - October 1 & 15: The Cursed Moon by Angela Cervantes
 - October 22: The Girl Who Built a Spider by George Brewington

November
 - October 29 & November 19: Bound for Home by Meika Hashimoto
 - November 26: Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
* Week off for Thanksgiving*

December
 - December 3: Home Away from Home by Cynthia Lord
 - December 17: The Grip by Marcus Stroman

January
 - January 7: Penny Draws: A Best Friend by Sara Shepard
 - January 14: Future Hero: Race to Fire Mountain by Remi Blackwood
 - January 21: The Shelterlings by Sarah Beth Durst
 - January 28: Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment

February
 - February 4: The Ultimate Goal: The Good Sports League by Tommy Greenwald
 - February 11: When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn