Even thought I have not read Ways to Make Sunshine, I was captivated by young Ryan Hart and her adventures. I usually don't like books that try to make interconnected stories into a novel, but this one kind of work. There were some tales that were more successful than others, but overall I enjoyed the collection.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Ways to Grow Love by Renee Watson. Ways to Grow Love is a simple story of friendship that will appeal to younger elementary students. The second story about Ryan Hart continues her adventures navigating family and friends. Although the book is the second book in this series, it can easily stand alone. This is a book that will be easy to recommend!

This book is such a great read for this age group. Ryan Hart is a very realistic characterization of a girl this age. I adore her.

DARLING! This was SUCH a sweet chapter book for emerging readers and I love the personal values throughout the book! Any elementary kiddo can relate to Ryan's character!

This is book two in the Ryan Hart series. I haven't read book one, but this works as a stand alone and introduces enough of the previous book to make it make sense. Ryan is celebrating the summer with her friends and eagerly awaiting her new baby sister. She's a little disappointed though, because her mom is on bed rest and so she can't do all the great summer traditions. Ryan knows she can make the best of it though and spends her days reading, cooking, and playing with her friends. A few incidents at summer camp give her relationship struggles, but she perseveres and displays some great leadership and friendship skills. It's a very gentle read, with an emphasis on Christian values, and shows the importance of family and community. If you have a middle grader that just wants an easy read with some great lessons, this is a good series to start with.

Ryan is looking forward to her summer vacation, but her mom’s pregnancy is throwing things off. Her mother is on bed rest, she has to quickly pick books out at the library, never gets to go to the supermarket, and her family is struggling financially. Is there room in her life to love someone new? The illustrations are well done, the plot is well written, and the character dynamics were realistic. Lessons of tolerance and learning to love others are great for young readers to learn. Readers who enjoy realistic fiction and family stories will enjoy reading this book.4 stars, Grades 4 to 7

I received a complimentary copy of Ways to Grow Love from NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

What a sweet novel! I love this book—it is perfect for the intended audience. Ryan realizes that love can grow and change as she awaits the arrival of her soon-to-be baby sister—whom she resents a little before her birth, yet truly loves afterwards.

Yet another beautiful story of Ryan Hart. She learns many ways how to grow love for those around her—even if it may be a bit difficult. This story opens up where the previous story left off. The anxious feelings for being a big sister are still there. I think young readers with new siblings on the way will truly connect with Ryan. What I loved most about this one was Ryan's realization that being a big sister is going to mean so many more special memories will be made. It made my heart swell when Ryan got to help name the baby too. So much love for this series and this growing family.

Charming follow-up to "Ways to Make Sunshine". Bound to be a hit summer read with thoughtful lessons in empathy and the challenges of friendship and big sisterhood. Ryan is so perfectly spunky and petty in the best soon-to-be fifth-grader way. I just love her and I expect so many young readers will too.

Ways to Grow Love is a very fun and cute book about family and friendships, empathy, and overall how to be better to others while also having your boundaries. I would recommend this book to any child, but especially to those dealing with anxieties that come up when you're about to be an older sibling, friends getting new friends, or figuring out ways to help people through acts of kindness, no matter the size.

This story has a realistic portrayal of what it might be like to become an older sibling and the impacts it's going to have on one's life. It also shows healthy ways to deal with these feelings, as well as how to deal with your best friend's new friend, and handles conflict resolution positively.

A portion of the book is spent at bible camp, so obviously religion has a big part in the story. However, it's done fairly well in that, while it sort of leans toward preachy, it's done wonderfully and the message is beautiful. It emphasizes thinking of others, how you treat them, how you interact with them, and how you can make the world a better place.

I did not read the first book in the series, but this read perfectly fine without it. A bonus of this book was it takes place in Portland, and it was fun to see mentions of places I actually know.

4.5/5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley.

“Ways to Grow Love” is a wonderful companion/follow up to “Ways to Make Sunshine.”

When the story starts, school has just ended, and Ryan is excited about the summer reading program at the library (LOVE), carrying on with some fun family traditions, trying new recipes, and getting ready to go to her church summer camp for the first time. And most exciting of all: she is waiting for her baby sister to be born, even though being a big sister will mean some big changes for Ryan.

I am not religious at all, and I thought the church/church camp aspect of the story was handled beautifully - strong messages about kindness and caring without being preachy.

The family dynamic is so sweet and loving but still realistic - Ryan’s brother Ray is *such* an older brother. (And the pickle situation was hilarious.) Ryan is such a relatable character for kids, and I think this is a perfect realistic fiction book for elementary school kids.

Ryan Hart is back and takes on summer, a new baby, and changing friendship dynamics. This is a perfect feel-good, summer read.

I have not read the first book in this series but didn't feel like it was a major hinderance to reading book two. I loved how Renee did such a wonderful job of creating a sweet, down to earth story written from a perspective other than mine. This book reminded me of "Meena Meets Her Match" and the "Ramona" books. Just a nice story that will make any child feel cozy and at home.

I received a free digital ARC through NetGalley. I just love this series, I hope it keeps going. Renee Watson is a master storyteller for all ages.

The 2nd book of Renee Watson with Ryan Hart! This one did not disappoint! Ryan prepares to become a big sister and gets used to the changes that her family will face. The summer before 5th grade becomes a summer she won't soon forget. With sleep-away camp and her 2 best friends, Ryan has been looking forward to this time. But one of her friends brings another into their circle and Ryan has to learn how she will handle it. Her parents named her Ryan meaning "leader" and she finds ways to live up to that name. Adding this to the summer reading list for incoming 5th graders!

Your reader will be engaged with strong characters and the opportunity to explore their friendship challenges. It's somewhat also a coming of age with summer camp culminating in issues of getting along, honesty and exploring leadership as a community.

This story is a sweet and charming tale of a girl adjusting to change, big sisterhood, and a summer where nothing seems to go her way. I found the characters real and delightful. I really rooted for Ryan.

Ways to Grow Love is a sweet follow up to the first installment of the Ryan Hart series. Readers will be entertained by Ryan's antics even as they learn how to navigate the ups and downs of relationships with grace and kindness for others. This is a perfect elementary school/young middle grade book for kids who have mixed feelings about welcoming a new sibling and will appeal to those dealing with friendship issues or learning to share their besties with new friends. Overall, very well worth reading.

Ways to Grow Love is a sweet follow up to the first installment of the Ryan Hart series. Readers will be entertained by Ryan's antics even as they learn how to navigate the ups and downs of relationships with grace and kindness for others. This is a perfect elementary school/young middle grade book for kids who have mixed feelings about welcoming a new sibling and will appeal to those dealing with friendship issues or learning to share their besties with new friends. Overall, very well worth reading.

For soon-to-be fifth-grader Ryan, this summer seems to be full of unwanted changes. Ryan’s mother is pregnant, and while Ryan looks forward to being a big sister, she also feels frustrated when her mother is too fatigued to spend time with her. Ryan’s summer outlook brightens when she learns that she will be allowed to go to a sleep-away camp for the first time. However, her spirits are quickly dampened when she is told that she will have to share a cabin with Red – a girl who made unkind remarks about Ryan’s hair at a mutual friend’s birthday party.

I really loved the gentle tone of this novel. Ryan is completely believable as a little girl who is negotiating the transition from being the youngest to becoming a big sister. I also appreciated the realistic way in which Ryan’s relationships with her friends and the initially-loathed Red evolve over time.

One additional note: Mata’s illustrations were joyful and charming.