Summer Reads for KidsUnpublished

Sunshine State Jr. Books for Grades K-2

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.

Sunshine State Books for Grades 3-5

The Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Program is a statewide reading motivational program for students in grades 3 through 8. 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.

Updated June 13, 2025

St. Lucie County Library System

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Squirrel-ish

Edlund, Bambi, author, illustrator.

Paper Book

An enterprising rat discovers the joy of being true to himself At the park, people give squirrels free peanuts. And nobody screams when a squirrel crosses their path. But for Rat, it's all screams and no nuts ... until he comes up with a plan: be more like a squirrel--squirrel-ish! ...

Luigi, the spider who wanted to be a kitten

Knudsen, Michelle

Paper Book

From the New York Times best-selling creators of Library Lion comes a warm (and delightfully fuzzy) storybook about learning to be--and be loved for--exactly who you are. On a street of old houses, a big hairy spider is searching for a home with dark corners to hide...

Mavis the bravest

Fraser, Lu

Paper Book

This is a laugh out loud story about a bonnet wearing, would-rather-be-knitting chicken who embarks on a high stakes chase to save her friend, Sandra the sheep. Mavis is not like her adventurous friend Marge. Mavis is a chicken who finds EVERYTHING scary (night-time and...

The man who didn't like animals

Underwood, Deborah

Paper Book

*A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year!* *An Amazon Top 20 Children's Book of the Year!* Who was Old MacDonald before he had a farm? A New York Times bestselling duo brings us this freshly imagined origin story about the storied farmer...

Orris and Timble: The beginning

DiCamillo, Kate

Paper Book

From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl--and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his...

Rise of the green flame

Mensah, Bernard (Children's author)

Paper Book

Magic, adventure, and friendship come together in Kwame's Magic Quest, an action-packed, fully illustrated early chapter book series perfect for fans of Dragon Masters! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly...

Wildfire rescue

Rajan, Rekha S.

Paper Book

The Disaster Squad is ready to save the day in this action-packed early chapter book series perfect for fans of the Magic Tree House series, or for kids who aren't quite ready to read I Survived! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line...

The adventures of Invisible Boy!!!(!)

Horner, Doogie, author, illustrator.

Paper Book

In this hilarious debut middle grade graphic novel, when an impossible wish comes true, a wild adventure begins! "Can't be missed!" --Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth Think your wildest wish can't come...

Clementine Fox and the great island adventure

Luna, Leigh

Paper Book

Meet Clementine Fox, Professional Amateur Adventurer! Clementine is supposed to be on her way to school... but why not go out for a day of adventure and exploration instead? She recruits her friends Nubbins Squirrel and Penelope Rabbit and heads to the beach, where Jesse Otter is...

Dogtown

Applegate, Katherine

Paper Book

The New York Times bestseller, Indie bestseller, and Amazon Best Children's Book from beloved authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko and with illustrations by Wallace West, Dogtown is at once an uplifting story and a page-turning adventure, sure to find a forever home...

The guardian test

Soontornvat, Christina

Paper Book

From three-time Newbery honor recipient Christina Soontornvat comes a thrilling fantasy series about kids who can transform into amazing animals! Young Plum is shocked to discover that she's been accepted to the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island, an elite school where kids learn how to...

The lost library

Stead, Rebecca

Paper Book

Now a New York Times bestseller and a #1 Indie Bestseller, readers won't want to miss this story of a little free library guarded by a cat, and a boy who takes on the mystery it keeps. A TODAY SHOW Kids' Read Pick! * The Amazon #1 Best Book for Kids * "A...

The mystery of locked rooms

Currie, Lindsay

Paper Book

*Instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller!* Crack the codes. Find the treasure. Escape the house. From the acclaimed author of Scritch Scratch and What Lives in the Woods comes a action-packed adventure novel about three friends who team up to find a hidden treasure in an...

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Summer Reads for KidsUnpublishedShare

Summer Reads for KidsUnpublished