Programs & Activities
PA Young Readers' Choice Awards
The Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Awards (PAYRCA) Program is an annual statewide program that gives students the opportunity to vote for their favorite authors. At Grier, students who participate in the program receive chances to win prizes throughout the school year.
To participate, students sign-up in the library between September and February and read titles from the list of fifteen nominees. Copies of the books are available through the library. Grier students vote before Spring Break and the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association declares winners in May.
What does "PAYRCA" stand for?
PAYRCA stands for Pennsylvania (PA) Young Readers Choice Awards. Sometimes it's also abbreviated PYRCA. I'm not sure how to pronounce either acronym. Let's just call it the "Reading Program."
What is PAYRCA?
PAYRCA is a reading program designed by a committee of Pennsylvania school librarians to give students a way to chose their favorite books. Each year, the committee reviews hundreds of books and selects fifteen titles for each grade range. The committee then asks students across the state to read books from these nominated lists and vote for their favorite.
Each school collects the students' votes and submits the votes to the committee at the state level. The votes from all the Pennsylvania schools are tallied and the state winner is announced in May.
It is a true honor for an author to win the PAYRCA award because the award means not only do adults think their work has merit, but it shows that students are also huge fans.
It sounds great; how do I join the PAYRCA reading program?
Sign-up in the library or email library@grier.org between September and February.
How many books do I need to read?
In order to vote for your favorite title and be eligible for additional prizes, you need to read three of the nominated books before Spring Break.
Just by signing up, you'll be entered in a prize drawing and each book you read gives you more entries for prizes, so even if you're not sure you can read three of the nominated titles, sign up anyway! There's absolutely nothing to lose!
Did yo say prizes? Tell me more...
All students are encouraged to participate by reading books and voting for chances to win prizes! For each book that is read, the student will earn a chance in the grand prize drawing and a sweet treat from the library treasure box! Students who read three books or more will be able to choose a book from the library book prize cupboard. All participating students will be required to vote for their favorite book from the nominated titles before Spring Break. All participants will receive a special library pin after submitting their votes. The drawing for the grand prize will occur before Spring Break.
The more you read, the more you can win!
How do I vote for my favorite book?
In February or early March, listen for announcements and look out for emails letting you know that voting is open. The email will give you a link to vote online. Voting is quick and easy!
