Ways to Build Dreams

by Renée Watson, Nina Mata (Illustrator)

Overview

Dream big and grow up boldly! Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award winner Renée Watson continues her bestselling young middle grade series starring Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit and sunshine.

Middle school is just around the corner for Ryan Hart, which means it's time to start thinking about the future-and not just how to prank her brother, Ray! During Black History Month, Ryan learns more about her ancestors and local Black pioneers, and their hopes for the future, for her generation. She wonders who she wants to be and what kind of person her family hopes she becomes. Drawing on the ambitions of those who came before her and her own goals, Ryan is determined to turn her dreams into reality.

Grow and shine and share with Ryan Hart in this series that brings ever more humor, more love, and more fun.

Acclaim for Ways to Make Sunshine

A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year | A Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year | A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year | A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year | A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year | A WORLD Magazine Best Book of the Year | An Amazon Best Book of the Year

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547614905
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	10/01/2024
Series:	Ryan Hart Series
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	273,313
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include the Ryan Hart series, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, cowritten with Ilyasah Shabazz, Watch Us Rise, cowritten with Ellen Hagan, and Love Is a Revolution, as well as acclaimed picture books: Maya's Song, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, written with Nikole Hannah-Jones, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen, and Harlem's Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée splits her time between Portland, Oregon and New York City.

www.reneewatson.net

@reneewauthor

Editorial Reviews

Renée Watson's Ryan Hart series demonstrates timeless, universal appeal while examining the worries of all sizes that loom large in its protagonist's life. It proves Watson—recipient of both a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award—to be a more-than-worthy successor to Beverly Cleary, creator of the beloved character Ramona Quimby.” —BookPage

“Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another neighbor you have to meet!” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE

“Beautifully rendered. . . . A strong start to a new middle-grade series.” —Booklist, starred review, on WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE

“Watson warmly weaves together slice-of-life moments that capture youthful doubt alongside moments of loss and joy, showing a tight-knit family navigating difficulties with plenty of courage and plenty of love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE

“A fresh beginning to a new chapter book series featuring a girl who can coax out sunshine from behind the darkest storm.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review, on WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE

“One can only imagine that Ramona Quimby would have a lot of fun cooking up adventures with this new girl in town.” —New York Times Book Review, on WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE

“Watson's heroine is smart and courageous, bringing her optimistic attitude to any challenge she faces. . . . The second installment in this spirited series is a hit.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on WAYS TO GROW LOVE

From the Publisher

11/01/2023

Gr 3–5—Ryan Hart, first introduced in Ways to Make Sunshine, is back. It's almost the end of the school year, and Ryan and her friends are looking forward to all the closing activities before heading to middle school. Ryan is a thinker supported by a loving family. Nuggets of wisdom emerge throughout, as Ryan tries to determine what kind of person she wants to grow into, a more important consideration than what she wants to do as adult. But that doesn't mean she isn't still thinking about the perfect prank to get her older brother Ray! By the end of the school year, Ryan realizes that her final Black History Month project, the study of an Oregonian named Beatrice Morrow Cannady, has implications for today. She also comes to realize that her former nemesis Brandon isn't so bad and has aspirations of his own. Helping Ray practice his poetry brings them closer; finally, Ryan learns that she and Kiki will attend the same middle school. Although this is a reflective book, readers will appreciate the recognizable daily activities, the kids' concerns, and the warm relationship among them. There is a real charm to the characters and how they interact, demonstrating plausible growth in a effortless way. VERDICT This novel can stand alone and is a sweet, solid purchase for both school and public libraries.—Maria B. Salvadore

School Library Journal