Empowering Florida's Future
Blog
Read our blog for a summary of the SSYRA Books and Orange Blossom Nonfiction Books. We’ve included teacher resources and parent discussion guides for each book.
Welcome to Our Blog
The Truth Must Be Told: “Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson
Consider this your formal warning. Fish are everywhere. They are in our oceans, our rivers, our aquariums. They smile at us from behind glass with their fishy little faces. And we have been far too trusting. "Don't Trust Fish" by Neil Sharpson is a nature guide gone...
When the Party Comes to YOU: “The Great Dinosaur Sleepover” by Linda Bailey
Every kid who has ever loved dinosaurs—and that is most of them—will recognize Jake immediately. He doesn't just like dinosaurs. He loves them with his whole heart. So when his birthday rolls around, there is only one possible party theme: a dinosaur sleepover. And...
Roots, Tanks, and Magic: “Growing Home” by Beth Ferry
"Growing Home" is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. It begins with a goldfish who is baffled by ivy, and somehow ends with a meditation on what it means to truly belong somewhere. Beth Ferry has a gift for finding magic in the ordinary, and this story is her art...
A Good Dog’s Final Gift: “Forever Ripley” by McCall Hoyle
Prepare your heart. "Forever Ripley" is the kind of book that breaks it open—gently, beautifully, and with enormous love. It's narrated by Ripley, a devoted German Shepherd on a mission she will not abandon, even as her own time runs short. One Dog, One Promise...
Finding Joy Beyond the Scoreboard: “Curveball” by Pablo Cartaya
"Curveball" is a graphic novel that refuses to follow the predictable sports comeback story. There's no triumphant return to the field, no game-winning moment—and that's exactly what makes it so honest, and so good. When the Game Is Taken Away Elena Rueda is a serious...
Bug Defenders and Booby Traps: “The Bug Bandits” by Jenni L. Walsh
What if the best defense against a heist wasn't a security system—but a bombardier beetle? That's the delightful premise at the heart of "The Bug Bandits," a fast-paced middle grade adventure that combines real insect science with a Home Alone-style caper and a whole...