Ryan Hart is finishing up the last months of fourth grade at Vernon Elementary in Portland, Oregon. Through the 178 pages, we get to know Ryan as she is experiencing change: moving during the school year (but staying in the same school), financial troubles since her father lost his job at a post office branch that closed down, her father starting a new job that is a third shift position, and her mother who has her own news at the end of the book. We also get to meet her two best friends: Amanda who moved to a new nicer neighborhood with her family before the school year started and Kiki, whom she gets to walk with to school each day now that she moved closer to her.

An adorable younger middle grade novel full of heart, this is a great one to give to those that are advancing up to longer chapter books. Full of friendship, family including loving parents, and sibling shenanigans, this is a delightful bildungsroman. What I particularly love about this book is that is shows a Black family in such a positive light highlighting the strong, engaged parents Ryan and her brother, Ray, have along with their grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Anyone adult who is a fan of Ramona--this is a perfect book to give to a student or child that you want to experience those feelings Ramona evokes AND put more diverse characters into their hands at the same time.

Ryan Hart has heart. She's full of love and kindness for her family and friends. Most of all she loves to cook for her family and friends. I wish I could've read this book when I was young. There's a part where she goes swimming at a friend's house that is so relatable, I feel like it was taken from my own memory. Black girls with natural hair will know what I'm talking about. This book is pure sunshine and accurately portrays the childhood growing pains through friends and family dynamics of a young black girl living in Anytown, USA.

Thank you for the approval, Renee Watson is amazing and it was a pleasure to meet Ryan Hart. I hope there will be a sequel soon!

Ryan Hart's name means king and her parents are always encouraging her to live up to it. Ryan knows she is supposed to be a leader, but it can feel hard to lead sometimes. Still, she tries to make the best of bad situations by making sunshine for her family.

Like Ramona Quimby for a contemporary audience, this episodic novel introduces us to a new, sure to be beloved character. The stories that make up this quick read are funny, touching, heartwarming, and frustrating. The "slice of life" stories that make up this book are a refreshing and long overdue look at a close-knit Black family. The love and support that Ryan receives from her dad, mom, and even her bossy older brother Ray are palpable. I grew up loving Ramona Quimby and I am excited to share this new series and character with a new generation.

Super adorable MG book that I hope becomes a series. It’s Ramona Quimby for this generation and I’m here for it. Ryan is adorable and rolls with the punches, facing her fears head on. A great role model for girls to look up to. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Watson brings us a bright fun new character. Great for fans of school fiction books. If you are looking for a new middle grade series, give this one a try.

I did not get a chance to finish this before my access expired. COVID-19 distance teaching sucked way more time out of my life than anticipated. However, I love the main character's voice in this book. I could "hear" the tone in Ryan's conversation and interactions. I think this would make a great class read aloud.

The main character, Ryan Hart, is an all around great kid. She loves hanging with her friends and family, create recipes, while facing reality of a normal student. Even when things start to get a little tough in her life, she continuously finds ways to make sunshine!

I enjoy Watson's books geared toward older readers in middle school and high school. This one seems more for middle grade and it was not as good in my opinion. I felt the main problem was not explored enough or resolved.

Definitely a new one to add to any school or classroom library. Such a wonderful story with an amazing voice. Perfect for kids ready to move beyond chapter books.

I'm grateful to Net Galley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. What a joyful read reminding me about everyday growing up milestones, like sleepovers, talent shows, moving, holiday get togethers, parades, church, new babies, etc. This is an easy and enjoyable chapter book that mainly highlights life with a family and all the ups and downs that come along with it. I especially loved the focus on the characters names and living up to their meanings. So sweet.

Renee Watson's writing is high on my excellence list. This book is so wonderful and a much, much needed addition to junior fiction series. I look forward to recommending these and to the next books in the series!

In book, Ways to Make Sunshine, Renee Watson brings about topics of strong family ties, friendship, tradition, as well as many life lessons that we can all learn from. I highly recommend this book, which had me rooting for Ryan, the main character, at the turn of every page. Did she find her way to make sunshine after all, or did the storms in life prevent that? I loved how family pulled together through different situations and how friends relied on each other to get through thick and thin. A great read for upper elementary and middle grades!

This was a book that brought so many smiles to my face. Ryan and her family are going through some changes. Having to make do with less money is something many families experience and I'm sure young readers will be able to connect with that. Ryan is not happy about all of the changes, but she is good at adapting and making the sun shine in her life and that of the people around her.

Ryan's story is not full of big adventures, but is a lovely one filled with friends, family and more than a few laughs. This book is like a nice big hug. I'm looking forward to getting this book in the hands of my students.

Ryan will charm readers into a happy place. Everything is changing but her family is her center and they find a way to make everything work.

Ryan Hart is the spunky 10-year-old narrator of Renee Watson's latest book, Ways to Make Sunshine. Although the family is experiencing difficult times, (her father losing his job and having to move to a smaller house), Ryan tries to see the best in every situation and finds ways to bring sunshine to the people she loves.

Summary from the publisher:

Ryan Hart has a lot on her mind--school, self-image, and especially family. Her dad finally has a new job, but money is tight. That means some changes, like selling their second car and moving into a new (old) house. But Ryan is a girl who knows how to make sunshine out of setbacks.

I enjoyed this tale of Ryan as she navigates several transitions while maintaining a tenacity and curiosity that is sure to inspire younger readers. I appreciate that this narrative centers a working-class protagonist yet shies away from focusing on the hardships that are associated with the family's economic troubles. Watson does not pretend that those challenges don't exist for Ryan, but they are not the focal point of the story. Ways to Make Sunshine highlights the beauty of family and friendship and has realistic situations. I appreciate that the characters do not seem superhuman in their maturity and ability to overcome obstacles, making it more relatable to young readers.

***I was provided a complementary, time-limited digital version of this title from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

I liked this story of Ryan, a young black girl in Portland, Oregon whose family moves to a smaller house. In many ways this is a gentle, episodic read with strong parallels to the Ramona series, but that's more of a way to sell adult readers than children. I'll need to describe individual scenes and sites of trouble that Ryan gets up to to convince young readers to pick this up. Luckily, there's no shortage of those!

Ways to Make Sunshine follows the story of Ryan Hart. She is a sweet and spunky young girl who loves to cook, has an annoying brother and has to deal with the stress and emotions when moving to a new home. This is a wonderful read for any upper elementary age student. It reminds me of Ramona Quimby, but Ryan is much sweeter. It is great to see a diverse main character. I know many of the students in my library will be able to relate to Ryan and enjoy her story.

Watson brings her writing skill to the story of 4th grade Ryan Hunt, a girl with a boy's name, who adjusts to changes in her family after her dad loses his job. The challenges are definitely part of the story, but at its core, this is a pleasant family/school story with a lot of everyday drama and fun. My biggest complaint: Ryan actually seems younger than 4th grade. In light of that, I this will be most popular with 2nd and 3rd grade readers.
Review based on an ARC received from the publisher through NetGalley.