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.

Ways to Make Sunshine is such a fitting title because in the end you are left with a huge smile on your face!  This is a book so many kids will fall in love with- Ryan is such a relatable character on many levels!  She is fun, has a great heart, but also isn't afraid to realize and learn from a mistake.  Ryan's family is wonderful- one that I would love to come over and visit any time!  This will definitely have a place on my library shelf and couldn't be more excited to hear this will be a series!

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***

Renee Watson has written a winner with this title with hopefully, many more to follow!
Ryan is the kind of kid you'd like to know.   She gets in and out of "predicaments" but always holds
on to her optimistic outlook on life!    Kids (and adults) will be able to relate to the things that happen in Ryan's life,
from her dad losing his job to typical sibling bouts to not giving up!
Ryan is the protagonist in middle school literature that we're ready for!

Ways to Make Sunshine is a beautifully written, gentle story of a fourth grade girl coming to terms with changes in her family--and doing so with grace and courage.  Ryan Hart is a spunky little sister, a chef-in-the making, and the kind of friend everybody needs, It is a touching story of a family looking out for one another.  Perfect for elementary aged readers.

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.

Thank you NetGalkey and Bloomsbury for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. As a middle school teacher, I have students who are at so many different levels of reading. Some are emerging readers and are easily intimidated by stories that are longer or have difficult vocabulary. Sometimes too many perspectives is confusing. I also have students who are more mature and ready for a challenge. They love to dive into the larger books with more complex characters. Unfortunately, most of the popular books are geared towards the second type of reader-the more mature reader. I am so glad I read this book by Watson because it is a perfect book for my emerging readers. It has a story with many small conflicts and shows great character growth, but it is short and sweet. It has illustrations. Also, and really most importantly, it does not feel childish. I am so glad that this book is in the world! Thank you.

What a fantastic book that I can't wait to share with students! The main character, Ryan, is often reminded by her parents that she should live up to her name (which means "king") and be a leader. In this story, Ryan thinks about what it means to be a leader, especially since she can't even speak in front of a group of people!  As her older brother points out, Ryan's talents are quiet, but that doesn't mean they are any less important and wonderful,  Like Ryan, this is a quiet book, but no less important.  We see Ryan grow through her experiences in 4th grade, seeing herself and others differently, pursuing her interests, practicing friendship - and it turns out, leadership too.    I really loved the humor, the family relationships, and Ryan's decision-making process as she makes choices and works through everyday life struggles.   I know many students will love and connect with Ryan.

Ryan's world is tipped sideways when her parents announce they will be moving to a different house.  Even though her dad has been out of work for awhile, Ryan didn't see this coming and is taken by surprise.  The surprises keep coming when they get to the new house and she sees that it is a downgrade in more ways than she'd like.  
On top of everything that is happening at home, Ryan is trying her best to navigate school and friendship and stay positive.  It's a good thing she has cooking and the kitchen to keep her positive!  But is cooking her only talent?  The upcoming talent show forces her to think a little more about what things she does best. 

This is a sweet story that I enjoyed reading.  I would recommend it to late elementary students, but don't think it transitions well to middle grade.  That said, I would still add it to my collection because I think it addresses some important topics and will be the just right book for someone right when they need it!

A wonderful middle grade novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.