Ways to Make Sunshine
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4.4 • 22 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson, the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine.
Ryan Hart can be and do anything. Her name means "king", that she is a leader, and she is determined to keep growing into the name her parents gave her. She is all about trying to see the best in people, to be a good daughter, sister, and friend. But Ryan has a lot on her mind. For instance: Dad finally has a new job, but money is still tight. That means some changes, like moving into a new (old) house, and Dad working the night shift. And with the fourth-grade talent show coming up, Ryan wonders what talent she can perform on stage in front of everyone without freezing. As even more changes and challenges come her way, Ryan always finds a way forward and shows she is a girl who knows how to glow.
Acclaimed author Renée Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, one starring a Black girl and her family, in this start to a charming new series.
Acclaim for Ways to Make Sunshine:
A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year | A Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year | A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year | A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year | A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year | A WORLD Magazine Best Book of the Year | An Amazon Best Book of the Year
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this series opener, a loose reimagining of Ramona Quimby's exploits, Watson (Some Places More Than Others) adroitly captures the uncertainty of growing up amid change through the eyes of an irrepressible black girl. Fourth grader Ryan Hart's name means "king," and her parents encourage her to live up to it ("Dad is always telling me our people come from royalty... their strength is running through my veins"). Ryan tries her best, but it's hard sometimes, as when classmates tease her about having "a boy's name" and when her father loses his job, precipitating the family's move to a smaller, "not new at all" home. Despite the changed circumstances, Ryan brings optimism to everything she does: racing bikes against her "bossy and nosy" big brother, facing her fear of public speaking, and serving as her mother's sous chef. In vignette-style chapters, Watson warmly weaves together slice-of-life moments that capture youthful doubt alongside moments of loss and joy, showing a tight-knit family navigating difficulties with plenty of courage and plenty of love. Occasional illustrations by Mata (She's Got This) emphasize the story's joyful realism. Ages 7 10.
Customer Reviews
So good 10/10 would def recommend
This book is so interesting it shows the growth of the main character Ryan and there are so many twists and turns you just can’t stop reading! It’s truly an incredible/interesting story.