Ways to Grow Love

February 15, 2021
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Ryan Hart returns in this charming sequel to Ways to Make Sunshine (2020), which begins the summer before she starts fifth grade. Many of her favorite summer activities, like going to the library with her mother and riding rides at the amusement park as a family, are on hold, or at least modified, because Mrs. Hart is pregnant and on bed rest. On the upside, Ryan is finally old enough to attend overnight church camp with her brother and best friends, Kiki and Amanda, though Ryan is not pleased to learn that Amanda's mean friend Red will be sharing their cabin. Prank wars and team-building exercises unfold alongside bible study, positively portraying the important role faith communities hold in many children's lives. Ryan feels young for a fifth grader, due largely to the fact that she's the baby of her family--for most of the story anyway. She nonetheless flexes her independence by cooking for her family and helping to prepare for the new baby's arrival. Ryan's grandmother also lends them a hand, and one particularly tender scene shows Ryan asking for advice as her grandmother braids her hair before bed. These realistic snapshots of love in action are peppered with funny mishaps and small mistakes, all of which add up to an uplifting, reassuring read.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Ways to Make Sunshine was released to great acclaim, and Watson's virtual author tour will act like Miracle Gro on her sizeable fan base.

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Starred review from April 1, 2021

Gr 3-5-This summer is shaping up to be different than any other summer, and Ryan Hart isn't sure how she feels about that. She always looks forward to her summer traditions, like checking out an armful of books from the library with her mom, and her family's annual trip to the Oaks Park amusement park-but nothing is quite the same now that Ryan's mom is expecting a new baby and has to take things easy. Still, there are some exciting things for Ryan to look forward to, like her first chance to go to sleepaway church camp with her two best friends, KiKi and Amanda. And of course Ryan can't wait to meet her new baby sister. Not everything goes as planned, but nevertheless Ryan finds that she is bursting with summer memories by the time school begins in September. This second installment in the "Ryan Hart" series is both relatable and inspirational. A young optimistic Black girl, Watson's irresistible Ryan models how to navigate a changing world with resilience, kindness, and love, all of which are reflected in Mata's delightful illustrations. Readers who are likewise awaiting a new sibling, or who are simply learning to adjust to an ever-changing world, will be heartened by Ryan's openness to making new memories and creating new traditions. VERDICT A fabulous first purchase that celebrates the awesome power of love, kindness, and being true to oneself.-Dana West, Nathan Hale H.S., Seattle

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2021
A new baby coming means Ryan has lots of opportunities to grow love. Ryan has so much to look forward to this summer--she is going to be a big sister, and she finally gets to go to church camp! But new adventures bring challenges, too. Ryan feels like the baby is taking forever to arrive, and with Mom on bed rest, she isn't able to participate in the family's typical summer activities. Ryan's Dad is still working the late shift, which means he gets home and goes to bed when she and her older brother, Ray, are waking up, so their quality daddy-daughter time is limited to one day a week. When the time for camp finally arrives, Ryan is so worried about bugs, ghosts, and sharing a cabin that she wonders if she should go at all. Watson's heroine is smart and courageous, bringing her optimistic attitude to any challenge she faces. Hard topics like family finances and complex relationships with friends are discussed in an age-appropriate way. Watson continues to excel at crafting a sense of place; she transports readers to Portland, Oregon, with an attention to detail that can only come from someone who has loved that city. Ryan, her family, and friends are Black, and occasional illustrations by Mata spotlight their joy and make this book shine. The second installment in this spirited series is a hit. (Fiction. 8-10)

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