Florida Teens Read

Teens in Florida read and Florida school librarians know it! The Florida Teens Read (FTR) program is a student- choice reading award program to determine which YA book wins the annual award as the favorite of teens in Florida. The reading list is comprised of fifteen titles that have been chosen by a committee of fourteen school librarians specifically to engage high school students (grades 9 through 12) in reading and reflect their interests as well as represent a variety of genres, formats, reading levels, viewpoints, and ethnic and cultural perspectives. The committee meets in the spring to select the fifteen titles to comprise the next school year's list. They then immediately start to read YA books for the following year's list. In October, at the FAME annual conference, the committee narrows down the long list of hundreds of titles they have read that have a publishing date of the current and previous year to the short list of seventy-five titles. In the late spring, the committee meets again to discuss which books will make the final list of fifteen titles, taking into account their students' opinions as well student reviews.

This 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.

It is important for anyone using the Florida Teens Read list to understand that the titles are being chosen with students in grades nine through twelve in mind (young people from the ages of fifteen to eighteen). The titles are NOT chosen for a student’s reading ability, reading level or Lexile® level. The titles ARE chosen to engage high school students and to reflect their interests. Most of these books have main characters who are in high school and who are often going through mature teen and/or adult situations.

It is understood that all books on the list may not appeal to all teen readers; however, books selected for the list will be of interest to a general young adult audience and will deal with relevant issues and topics of interest in the lives of teenagers.

The list of books nominated for the Florida Teens Read Award is not intended for use as a state-wide collection development tool. Selection policies vary from district to district throughout Florida, and school library media specialists are encouraged to apply appropriate selection criteria for adopting and purchasing those titles that best meet the needs of their libraries and schools.

Contact FTR at: FloridaTeensRead@gmail.com

FAME is excited to announce this year’s award nominees. Media specialists representing all districts across the state work with integrity and heart to curate great lists each year, with the goal for each and every one of Florida’s students to find three books they want to read and with which they can connect. That’s all it takes for students to vote for their favorites: read at least three and vote. We are especially proud of these lists, knowing they are for our students first and believe that students will find at least three to read this year. We know that not every book is for every student, but we want every student to have the chance to find the book they need, whether it be a window, a mirror, or a door to another world. Many thanks to the media specialists who curate these lists, the media specialists across the state who promote free choice reading in their schools, and mostly to the families and students that participate in our program. Happy reading and have fun as you READ THREE!

Michelle Jarrett, President Florida Association for Media in Education.