Ways to Build Dreams (Ryan Hart Story #4)

by Renée Watson (Author) Nina Mata (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Ryan Hart Story

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

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Hardcover
$17.99

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Review quotes

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

Realistic snapshots of love in action are peppered with funny mishaps and small mistakes, all of which add up to an uplifting, reassuring read. —Booklist, starred review, on WAYS TO GROW LOVE

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. A fabulous purchase that celebrates the awesome power of love, kindness, and being true to oneself. —School Library Journal, starred review, on WAYS TO GROW LOVE

Renée Watson

Renée Watson is a New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include Love is a Revolution, Ways to Make Sunshine, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, co-written with Ilyasah Shabazz, and Watch Us Rise, co-written with Ellen Hagan, as well as two acclaimed picture books: A Place Where Hurricanes Happen and Harlem's Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée grew up in Portland, Oregon, and splits her time between Portland and New York City.

www.reneewatson.net
@harlemportland (Instagram)
@reneewauthor (Twitter)

Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781547610181
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publication date
October 17, 2023
Series
Ryan Hart Story
BISAC categories
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV011010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JUV013000 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | General
Library of Congress categories
African Americans
Family life
Schools
Portland (Or.)

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