This book is younger than the middle grade I typically read (it's more intermediate elementary-geared, some have called it a "chapter book"), and so I'm not sure I'm the best reviewer, but I shall try. Part of the reason for this is that I felt that it lacked an overarching plot, which tends to be a big thing in MG to hook readers and keep them compelled to read--but instead this book is a bit more like sequences of events, loosely thematically related. In that regard, it reminded me of Meet the Austins, although its stories were shorter. I also now see all the Ramona comparisons and think it's a great addition to that legion and I hope there will be more about Ryan and her family. Apparently, the Ramona books also take place in Portland but are very white, and Watson grew up there and shows us a very real Portland filled with black and mixed-race characters.

I loved the depth of the characters--they're not likable all the time, because why do they have to be?--and it doesn't underestimate its readers. The message about how Ryan was beautiful no matter what her hair was so lovely, but overall the book doesn't lean into overly sweet messages about making the best out of being poorer than you were before. Ryan is allowed to feel complicated emotions, and her ultimate lessons from them come within herself, not from adult lectures. And not everything in her life revolves around her new circumstances, either--she still deals with normal kid stuff like figuring out what to do for the talent show, an older brother who doesn't want her to tag along, and having to give a whole speech in front of the congregation on Easter. Watson shows so much care for her characters and readers--I can't fully imagine how impactful this will be to a little black girl out there. Also, the illustrations are adorable.

This book is suited for my students that have just emerged from third grade and are ready to read in fourth grade! I loved that this was a quicker read and the word choice was also not too complex. It will be a great transition book for my students who are not quite ready for intricate plot-based books. Ryan's name is special to her. Her parents teach her that from the start. Her name is to be a leader, to be a queen or king. There isn't a heavy-set plot of this book but it does encompass some interesting battles that Ryan has to overcome. She feels frustrated and opinionated on several moments in her life in Portland. First, she has to move to a "house" that is a lot smaller than her current one at the beginning of the book. She had a hard time understanding why they couldn't just purchase her old house from the landlord. With this move came a lot of change for her and her family. She had to leave a friend, lack space for her sous-chef table, and her father had to get a new job which required him working overnights and no longer being able to drive her to school. Throughout the story she also deals with a classmate who doesn't speak before he thinks, a friend of a friend who thinks she's better than Ryan, forgetting her speech at church for Easter, a change in the brand of food they can buy and how often they can buy food, and an eerie box of random things left from the previous house owner. But most of all, she has to overcome everything and more when she receives two huge pieces of news that will change her. Renée did a wonderful job with this book and I cannot wait to share it with my students. They will want more after finishing this one, for sure!

I'm read this book and am writing this review during the end of week 6 of quarantine, so I have to say, it feels like there aren't a lot of ways to make sunshine at the moment. But Ryan and co. definitely gave me a refresher on how to make good things out of less-than-ideal situations. I loved this book -- it made me so happy.

Sweet book about finding where you fit, how to be brave, how to dm deal with family and change. Great middle grades book.

"Ways to Make Sunshine" is a lighthearted, feel-good Middle School read. The main character, Ryan Hart, experiences relatable challenges while facing the normal struggles of middle school and growing up. I enjoyed the realistic and warm family relationships, the humor, and the illustrations included in the book. Even though this is marketed as a middle grade book, it would be a great fit for 4th and 5th graders as well.

This was a feel-good story, perfect for readers who enjoy Ramona and Anna Wang books. It fills the gap nicely between transitional chapter books and middle grade chapter books. As a Pacific Northwesterner, I appreciated connecting to this book geographically. I think the author really captured the 4th-grade persona--grown-up enough to have their own opinions and issues with friends/family, but still young enough to want to play.

Ryan Hart is a little fourth grader trying to find her place during a move and with a new sibling on the way. She knows that her family gave her that name to be a leader, but she struggles to actually live up to her name sometimes. Thought it was cute, but simple. However, I saw that Ms. Watson wanted this to be her version of the Ramona series, it totally made sense. Would recommend for grades 3-5.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Renée Watson's latest book is the first of a series that introduces us to bright young girl named Ryan Hart. "Ways to Make Sunshine" hits shelves April 28.

Reading this book was almost like looking in a mirror because there were so many similarities between Ryan's family and my own. Ryan is going through some big changes in her life, in addition to dealing with life in middle school. It was such a pleasure to get know Ryan and see how she deals with everything that's going on around her. Not only has her father changed jobs, they've had to move and, as we learn at the end, there's going to be a new member of the family!

What's refreshing is that the book is very real and relatable, but also very warm. Ryan deals with the ups and downs that many of us have gone through. The Hart Family isn't perfect and their life isn't perfect, but together they make a loving home.

I can't wait to see what's next for Miss Ryan Hart and I guarantee you'll fall in love with "Ways to Make Sunshine".

A sweet, pleasant, gentle book about a young girl and the usual trials of childhood. Comparisons are made to the Ramona Quimby series which are apt, there are few serious and/or dramatic plot points here, but all of the stories are ones that would matter intensely to the child experiencing them. Hopefully this will become a new standard text for elementary school classrooms and libraries.

I loved this book! I was already a fan of Renée Watson's young adult writing, and I loved this title for younger readers as well. This book is a perfect slice-of-life story, and Ryan is a wonderfully relatable protagonist. Young readers will identify with her missteps and triumphs. I hope we see more of the Hart family in future titles!

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One way to make sunshine? Read Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson. I was drawn to read this sweet and spunky middle grade when I heard Renee speak at a Middle Grade Magic web conference. Renee's voice was warm and poetic during her talk... and that voice follows her into her writing. I also admired how she was influenced by Beverly Cleary's Ramona series, one of my own favorites. But apart from Ramona, Ryan (the main character in this book) is her own person with her own everyday adventures and emotions and troubles. A fun and uplifting read. (And seemingly just the beginning of a new series!)

Thank you Bloomsbury Children and NetGalley for sharing this ARC of Ways to Make Sunshine. As a writer and educator, I am thrilled to see an increase in the selection of books with children of color. Kids love to see themselves represented in the pages they read, and Ryan is no exception.

Renee Watson's character is a fourth-grader whose life is going through a lot of changes. Her father lost is job at the post office and recently found a new job for less money. Her family has to move to a new house. And, plan to sell one of their cars. Life experiences. But what makes Ryan so likable is her precociousness nature. She is opinionated, determined and creative, all of which makes her a wonderfully dynamic character.

Young readers that grew up reading Junie B. Jones will find Ryan and all of her adventures a great transition as they move to older grades. Move over Junie B. Jones and Ramona Quimby...here comes Ryan Hart and she needs a spot on our classroom bookshelves.

Ways to Make Sunshine is a sweet story about a girl named Ryan who loves to cook, but is not happy about moving to a new house and a new school. The characters, and their relationships, feel very realistic.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e arc of this book.

This is the sunshine I need in my life right now! Ryan is such a fun character, full of life and fun! You definitely want this one on your shelves!

This is one of those rare realistic fiction books in which the author successfully writes for her audience of real-life kiddos; I think Renée Watson wrote a wonderful debut middle-grade novel.

While the circumstances of Ryan's life aren't great on the surface--her family needs to move to a not-so-new house, sell their car, and make other sacrifices--the tone is full of hope. Ryan adjusts to her new life in a very fourth-grade way: by continuing to tease her brother, cook with her family, play games with her friends, and being involved in her school's talent show. The book doesn't preach about income disparity, nor does it try to impart a heavy, moralistic lesson or theme, making it more accessible for middle-grade readers.

What a great juvenile fiction debut for Renee Watson. I loved Ryan and her family and am so excited to read more installments in this series. I have young cousins who are African American and I think it's so important for them to see themselves represented in chapter books. I recently saw Renee Watson speak as part of a webinar and she was fantastic!

I cried at the end of this: not because it's sad but because it's the book I've been waiting for almost my whole career. It's a realistic fiction book written for real-life kids.
There's no:
-Dead parent
-Dead pet
-Deep trauma
-Overly dramatic, moralistic theme

There is:
-Siblings messing with each other
-Friendship that's fun and life-giving
-A mystery
-Yummy food
-A talent show that doesn't take over the whole book and in the end doesn't mean that much
-Good-natured humor
-Kind, responsible parents

It's a wonderful book that wraps itself around your heart. More of this series, please! I need more Ryan Hart in my classroom and library!

Oh I love Renee Watson! This book is adorable and sweet and I loved everything about it, except that the protagonist is in 4th grade...which was nothing against the book. My 6-8th middle schoolers will not read about a 4th grader. Even my little 6th graders won't read "down." I wish there were more of a distinction between "middle grade" and "middle school" books. This book is awesome and I thought there was so much great stuff going on with Ryan and her brother, parents, and friends. I just wish the pronounced flaunting of her 4th-grader status in the talent show wasn't as apparent because otherwise this would be a great book for my students.

Ryan Hart's name means "king." Her parents gave her that name to remind her to live up to the expectations of being a leader. What do you do when your family moves to an (old) new house and your dad is now working the third shift for less money than before? Make the best of what you can of course!

Renee Watson's new middle-grade novel will appeal to 3rd-6th grade students looking for a realistic fiction read with heart.

I enjoy Renee Watson’s writing and this is a nice story about a young girl’s family going through financial challenges and a baby is on the way. Ryan also has public speaking fears and is facing friendship issues.