Ways to Make Sunshine

By Renée Watson and Mechal Roe

From New York Times-bestselling and multi-award-winning author Renée Watson comes the start of a character-driven, young middle grade series starring a black girl and her relatable and lovable family

'Without ever shying away from difficult topics such as racism and financial hardship, this is a positive, optimistic story. For readers who are going through tough or troubling times, this book will be a welcome dose of happiness' BookTrust Great Books Guide 2021

Ryan Hart and her family live in Portland, Oregon, and her dad lost his job a while ago. He finally got a new one, but it pays less, and he'll have to work nights. And so they're selling the second car and moving to an (old) new house.

The Harts are an everyfamily – a family with siblings who bicker, parents who don't always get it right, but a family that loves. A family working hard to make it in tough economic times, a family with traditions and culture, a family that tries new things. This is a black family growing up in middle class America.

And Ryan is a girl who has much on her mind – school, family, friends, self-image – but who knows how to make sunshine out of setbacks.

Packed with humour and heart alongside meaningful and thoughtful moments, Ryan Hart is the character everyone will want to be best friends with.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Jul 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781526613738

Renée Watson

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her young adult novel Piecing Me Together received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her children’s picture books and novels for teens have received several awards and international recognition. Her picture books include A Place Where Hurricanes Happen, Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills, Summer Is Here, and The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, written with Nikole Hannah-Jones. Renée grew up in Oregon and splits her time between Portland and Harlem.

Reviews for Ways to Make Sunshine

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Super sweet book about a smart and feisty young lady. Love the centering on an African American family, and the values that the parents are passing down. Love the coping mechanisms they share as well. I think the comparisons with Ramona Quimby's hijinks is exactly spot on -- great readalike for fans of Penderwicks, Ramona, Cleo Edison Oliver, Family Fletcher. Good stuff.

[ldecher-918638 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really, really enjoyed the way Ryan reacts to all of the changes in her life. She has that magical skill to take a second look at an unwelcome challenge and put it in perspective. Ryan is a very believeable character--we've all felt disgruntled when unexpected setbacks appear. She is also an admirable character. She has grace under pressure. Renée Watson has drawn her thoughts and actions in a way that gives you hope that it might be possible for you to be more graceful under pressure too.Clear prose, warm family relationships--This is destined to be a classic series.