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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.

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

  • 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 you 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!
  • 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." 

One School, One Story

The Library led school-wide reading program called “One School, One Story" challenges anybody and everybody that is part of the Grier community to read the same book as a shared experience.


To participate in One School, One Story, sign-up in the library.


This year’s title is:

Piecing Me Together
by Renee Watson


Borrow a copy from the library or order your own. It's also available as an ebook and audiobook on Sora.

Stay tuned for events, contests, and discussions!

Past Selections

Previous titles from the One School, One Story Program: 

2021-2022
Piecing Me Together - by Renée Watson.

2019-2020
Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game - by Abby Wambach

2018-2019
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World - by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick / Young Readers Edition

2017-2018
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race - by Margot Lee Shetterly

2016-2017
We Should All be Feminists -  by Chimamanda Ngozi Achibie

2015-2016
The Gospel According to Larry - by Janet Tashjian

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Grier School

2522 Grier School Rd. | P.O. Box 308; Birmingham, PA 16686-0308
Phone: 814-684-3000 | Fax: 814-684-2177