This series brings me so much joy. The best part about this book is the imagery. I enjoy that there’s a small focus on the importance of memories because that’s exactly what the book evokes for me. It reminds me of my own childhood. Such as going to summer church programs. I can still remember songs we would sing. I like the theme throughout the series of living up to the meaning of her name. In this book, we see her begin to gain confidence in who she is and step up as a leader at church and even in small ways at school. I like how her friend group all have their ways of expressing their feelings. I also like how her parents show they value her thoughts and opinion. I loved the moment she believed she could handle holding her sister. This book warms my heart and I’m looking forward to the next one.

WAYS TO GROW LOVE by Renee Watson is a delightful continuation of this series and the character of Ryan Hart.

Young readers will be entertained by Ryan’s antics, but even more importantly they will learn how to deal with the ups and downs of relationships. As with the first installment, it a perfect choice for elementary and younger middle school students who are dealing with changes at home (new siblings) or changes at schools (new friends or friend group transitions). It sparks joy from the first chapter and is very well worth reading.

This is a definite purchase for elementary school libraries where the first book is popular.
Suggested Ages: Grades 3-5

I loved the first book in this series and was not disappointed by the second one. Renee Watson takes a beautiful story about a Black girl finding her way and her voice as she grows through change and challenges

Delightful and so heartwarming. Renee Watson is unmatched and it’s wonderful to see her write for a new age group.

I adore Ryan Hart. She's such a perfect character for the new generation looking for something like Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary but as an awesome Black girl living her life. This book was super fun and I can't wait to read more about her stories.

Ways to Grow Love by Renee Watson is a perfect fit for upper elementary and middle grade book for kids who part of a family welcoming a new sibling.

Another delightful story about Ryan Hart and her family. This is the second book starring Ryan, and I highly suggest you read the first book as this book picks up right where the first concluded. Ryan has finished the fourth grade and is looking forward to a great summer - completing the library's summer reading challenge, attending summer camp and the arrival of her new baby sister. But everything isn't running smoothly - but one thing you can guarantee on is Ryan always looking for the sunshine. When her mother is put on bed rest, Ryan wonders if she will be able to enjoy their special trips to the library and when a prank goes wrong at summer camp, she begins to question a friendship, Despite these bumps in the road, Ryan always keeps a positive (although sometimes impatient) attitude. I love the family relationships, especially Ryan and her grandmother. I look forward to spending more time with the Hart family in the future.

4.5 Stars

This lower middle grade series follows in the literary tradition of Ramona and Beezus or Junie B. Jones, but for the up-and-coming generations, and with a particular focus on celebrating and uplifting young Black characters!

I think this series perfectly captures the highs and lows of childhood. It really encompasses that childlike feeling where everything is huge, everything is important, and every change feels insurmountable until you go through it. There are moments of joy, moments of confusion, moments of frustration, and most importantly moments of growth.

To see a young Black girl like Ryan learning to express herself, speak up for herself, and establish boundaries is going to be something that sticks with a lot of young readers potentially throughout their entire life. It's so important for young readers to see their stories and their experiences reflected, and to see that characters who look like them and live like them have agency, have wonder, and have the ability to make a difference.

Most importantly, this story emphasizes the importance of learning how to afford other people—and yourself—some grace, even when it's difficult. I think that's a really important lesson for young readers, and to see Ryan face her fears and confront discomfort in her life is empowering. As the title suggests, love is something that needs to be learned, cultivated, and grown, and that's what makes this installment so wonderful to read.

I have loved the first two installments in this series and I can't wait to read the next one! If you're a parent or someone who knows a young reader, you should definitely read this series with them!

This is a great start to a younger series of books about Ryan Hart! It'll be a great addition to classrooms and homes for anyone in grades 3 and up! Ryan learns a lot about herself and her friends in this installemtn as she goes away to sleepaway camp for the first time! When she's with her friends, she must decide how to handle some new "friends' and has to navigate if everyone can work things out in the end. Great lessons on life for the early middle grade readers!

Oh my goodness did I love this story. Another masterpiece by Renée Watson. *chef's kiss*. The story is one that many older children go through when a new sibling is brought into the family. Watson does such a good job capturing the emotions and feelings of Ryan in a way that the audience can understand. I will be recommending it to kids ages 7+

Another great addition to this series! Students are really enjoying it as well and recommending it to others.

I connected more with this second Ryan Hart story than I did with the first. I still think she seems a bit younger than a rising 5th grader, but her first church camp experiences seemed point on; they brought back many memories. What I loved most in the book were the underlying notes of joy as we experienced family life and friendships through Ryan's eyes. I think she will join Beverly Cleary's Ramona, another Oregonian, as a childhood classic. Recommended for ages 8-10.

I am really enjoying the stories of Ryan Hart and her family and friends. My young readers will too!

One of my favorite books this year. This book was excellent. Renee Watson has created the next Ramona Quimby.

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Ryan Hart and her family in Ways to Make Sunshine. In the second book of the series, it’s summer and while Ryan has becoming a big sister and attending her church’s overnight camp to look forward to, she also realizes that the baby is changing everything. Because of her mom’s morning sickness, she has to go to the library with her grandma to pick out books for summer reading and it’s just not the same. Ryan has been impatiently waiting to go to summer camp but between her older brother Ray’s ghost stories and finding out her friend Amanda invited Red to join them, she is nervous. Red was mean to Ryan at Amanda’s birthday party and feels Red is competing with her to become Amanda’s best friend.

Ryan’s name means king and her parents remind her to live up to her name and be a leader. At summer camp, Ryan offers to be cabin captain and the direction of their skit. But when Ray and his friends continue to scare Ryan and her friends, Ryan goes along with something she knows is wrong. What I love about Ryan is she truly strives to do the right thing but readers get to see her struggles as well especially as she navigates changes in friendship and family.

Written in under 200 pages with short chapters, dynamic characters, an engaging plot, and Mata’s charming black and white illustrations, Watson’s series is so accessible to readers transitioning into middle grade novels. Thanks to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing an ARC with my #bookexcursion group. Ways to Grow Love released on April 27. 2021.

My daughters absolutely loved the first book in this series! I was so excited to get an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher of the sequel! They are already asking for book three!!!

This cute, middle grade novel is the perfect read for young girls. Ryan Hart is a charismatic and bubbly character that just warms your heart! This story has so many gems for young children to learn from and grow.

I am just as excited as my girls to continue reading Ryan’s journey. This book is full of Black girl magic and definitely sparks joy!!!

This is a stellar sequel. Perfect for a grade-school child trying to learn how to view the world through another's perspective. Highly recommend.

I was so excited to see another Ryan Hart book! I loved Ways to Make Sunshine and this one didn’t disappoint. Ryan continues to find her way in the world. I love her honesty and how true Renee Watson makes this character feel. Readers will appreciate what Ryan goes through - new sister, camping trip, pranks. Hoping there’s #3 in the works! E ARC provided by Bloomsbury on #netgalley.

Ways to Grow Love continues Ryan Hart's story that began in Ways to Make Sunshine. I love Ryan even more in this book, as she prepares to be a big sister, takes on leadership roles with friends, deals with disappointments, and learns from mistakes. I adore her positive attitude, generous heart, and her love for her family - I especially enjoyed seeing her relationship with her brother Ray grow in this book. Ryan has such a big heart, and her family is very relatable. This would make a great readaloud for classes and families alike. I also really enjoyed reading about her church camp experience - there is nothing preachy about it, but I loved the way Ryan internalized and then applied the lessons she learned to her own life. This is a sweet, special book, and I cannot recommend it enough!

This adorable little book is a follow up to Renee Watson's book about Ryan - Ways to Make Sunshine. In this story, Ryan's mom is pregnant and Ryan is vacillating between happiness at being a big sister and annoyance that the new baby is disrupting her life. She's also trying to figure out how to deal with her best friend's new friend. Leadership and good choices are a constant theme in the book. Ryan's parents are wonderful and supportive. This is a great addition to Ryan's story.