Part of a series of books about Ryan Hart, Ways to Share Joy is a fun middle grade novel that reminds readers it's ok to take chances and make mistakes, but being a part of a great family and having wonderful friends, and sharing joy together, makes the tougher moments better. I love that Watson has created this series that is generally pretty light hearted but also takes on difficult topics such as microaggressions and racism, in a way that young readers can interact with and reflect on. I would recommend this book for readers in the age 7-10 range and while I have not yet read this one aloud, I have read the first book in the series as a class read aloud in Grade 3 and the students really engaged with it and enjoyed it. There were also lots of great opportunities for discussion. I feel this book would land similarly and would recommend it to students who have enjoyed the other books in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

I adore Ryan Hart and her family! This trilogy is so sweet and perfect for ‘tween’ readers. I preordered this one for my library as soon as it was announced, I just knew it would be as wonderful as the first two.

I have read every book in the Ways to. Are Sunshine collection, and they all have been so cute. Ryan is a great chapter that my students love, and that I love to pull into our classroom small groups. Ryan is a character with strength, good conscious, and she has great inner monologue as she learns and grows through the plot of the story. I love that she is a real, strong kid that I can trust is a good chapter role model for my students.

I just love Ryan Hart and the third book in the series did not disappoint. She is so relatable to children and their daily experiences.

I really love this series of books, and I love that there are books like this one out there. Representation matters for students that need to see themselves in the books they choose. Ryan's struggles are identifiable and show really nice family dynamics that remind me of old 80s TV families that is as comfortable as chicken noodle soup. Her parents are the ones we all wish we had growing up. I just wish that families of color had this kind of representation back then. Ryan's whole series is one I wholeheartedly recommend for read alouds for 2nd and 3rd graders or a lower level book for 5th and 6th graders.

Ryan is very relatable. She explains in real life examples of what it is like to be the middle child. I like how she presents it using pros and cons. Somehow even the negatives sound positive. Ryan is a real Pollyanna., sharing sunshine with everyone.

In this story Ryan does struggle with wanting everyone to be happy. She lives up to her last name Hart. She is full of heart. She shows that helping and being kind to others makes you feel good too. Ryan learns that joy is “deep down” that never leaves you ever though hard times.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was another great addition to the Ryan Hart series. I have the first two in my classroom library, and I have many students who enjoy reading her stories. They are such quick reads, but they each have great lessons within them. In this third story, Ryan is facing new challenges, such as adjusting to being a big sister, figuring out how to handle friend jealousy, and keeping her grandmother’s surprise birthday party a secret. Watson portrays real, day-to-day life in such a way that kids can relate to Ryan.

I highly recommend this to any middle grade reader! This was a good reflection on the things that bring you real joy.

Another fabulous addition to the Ryan Hart series. My students absolutely love these books. The realistic scenarios and overall positive vibe of the book really strike a chord with them. Can't wait for the next!

I received an electronic ARC from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books through NetGalley.
Ryan's story continues as the family prepares for Thanksgiving and Grandma's 70th birthday surprise party. She and her two best friends are also figuring out how to make a trio continue to work. I'm impressed with how Watson handles this and offers subtle suggestions for readers. The author continues to develop these characters in situations that are relatable for middle grade readers. We see how the family is coping and making it work after her dad's job loss, the new baby arrived, and mom is back to work as well. It's a realistic portrayal of this family's life underscored by love but not sugar coating challenges and struggles. Looking forward to the next book.

I recommend any book by Renée Watson and frequent use her work in my classes. This series is well-written, published in a wonderful chapter book format, and features characters and themes that kids need to see in classrooms. Lovely writing from this engaging author.

I loved book three in this series. So sweet. I received a digital version of this title and it was one of the few times I have ever highlighted sections in a Kindle book. They struck me so deeply I wanted to remember them. From a children's book no less. The author did a fantastic job of portraying every day life for any child in a way that was meaningful and fun. Love this new version of Ramona!

Renee Watson is bringing her irrepressible heroine Ryan Hart back in “Ways to Share Joy.” In this third entry of the Ryan Hart series, Ryan is facing new challenges, such as adjusting to being a big sister, figuring out how to handle friend jealousy, and keeping her grandmother’s surprise birthday party a secret. This gentle slice-of-life story is as comforting as a warm hug, with realistic and age-appropriate dilemmas that are handled with care. This is an enjoyable addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the next book.

"Ways to Share Joy" is a realistic fiction early-middle grade novel by Renée Watson which is due to be released on September 27, 2022.
I am honored to have received an eARC from NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books.
"Ways to Share Joy" is the third book in the Ryan Hart series. Having read the two previous Ryan Hart books, I can honestly say that this third book does not disappoint. Ryan is growing up, learning to adjust to being a middle child, dealing with friendship issues, and sharing lots of interactions amongst all members of her family.
Overall, I recommend this book for early-middle grades, starting at 2nd grade. I think we all could benefit by reading this book and reflecting on our own lives and the things that bring us true joy.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a quick read and the title definitely fits the main character,Ryan. I like how she likes trying new things and her friends along with family are always there for her. She realizes that even when friends move; they can still remain friends.

First sentence: I am a girl in the middle. Stuck in between my older brother, Ray, and baby sister, Rose. Being in the middle means I have my brother bossing me around telling me to do this, do that. It means I am called on to help out with baby Rose when she needs to be rocked, fed, changed.

Premise/plot: Ways to Share Joy is the third book in the series by Renee Watson. The first two books are Ways To Make Sunshine and Ways to Grow Love. (Both highly recommended). So Ryan, our WONDERFUL heroine is in fifth grade now. The book occurs between October and November of her fifth grade year. The book begins with a Halloween/harvest festival at church and ends with a lovely Thanksgiving celebration/birthday weekend. (Her grandma is having a big, super-surprise birthday). Time is divided between Ryan's life at home (with her immediate and extended family) and at school.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, crazy love this series. I do. It would be awesome to sit down and read all three books back to back to back. (Like I used to do with the Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary.) Ryan Hart has to be one of my all-time favorite heroines. I love Ryan's family. (Though Ray is quite a STINKER in this one.) I love seeing her and her family celebrate. The characterization is so well done in this one. Please let this series never end.

Quotes:

"How about, for every piece of chocolate, we have to tell something we're afraid of," Then I say, "You start," because I realize for the first time that I have no idea if Dad has any fears. He's always the one coming to the rescue. I don't know what makes his heart pound, his palms sweat. .... "I'm afraid moments like this won't happen as you get older." "What do you mean?" I ask. "I'll never say no to chocolate for breakfast." "No, what I mean is--well, you're in the fifth grade now. Next year, you'll be in middle school and I...I just hope you always remember that your daddy loves you. I know I'm missing out on a lot because of my work schedule, but, well, all this hard work is for you."

I can't believe Kiki doesn't like elephant ears [funnel cakes]. We've been friends our whole lives and somehow I didn't know know this. I guess there is always something to learn about a friend, even the friends you know really, really well.

In these photos, she is just a girl. Just a girl who doesn't know she will marry one day and have two daughters and that her grandchildren will love her more than the stars love to cling to the sky.

Joy is something deep, deep down. Joy isn't always based on how you feel, but what you know. And sometimes Joy is happening even when frustration and sadness is happening. So, that's why I said what I said. Today, I am reminded of how much this family loves me. And my heart is truly overjoyed.