Ways to Grow Love

Ryan Hart #2

by Renée Watson, Niña Mata (Illustrator)

Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson continues her charming young middle grade series starring Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit and sunshine.

Ryan Hart and her family are back in another installment of stories about a Black girl finding her way and her voice as she grows through change and challenges. In this book, Ryan finds herself waiting on lots of things -- like for her new sister to be born healthy, for her new recipes to turn out right, for that summer camp trip to go better than she fears! And of course Ryan is facing these new challenges and new experiences in her classic style -- with a bright outlook and plenty of spirit!

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Contemporary

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 27, 2021

About the author

Renée Watson is the author of the children’s picture book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen (Random House, June 2010), which was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Her middle grade novel, What Momma Left Me debuted as the New Voice for 2010 in middle grade fiction by The Independent Children's Booksellers Association.

Renée’s one woman show, Roses are Red, Women are Blue, debuted at New York City's Lincoln Center at a showcase for emerging artists. Her poetry and articles have been published in Rethinking Schools, Theatre of the Mind and With Hearts Ablaze.

When Renée is not writing and performing, she is teaching. Renée has worked in public schools and community organizations as an artist in residence for several years, teaching poetry, fiction, and theater in Oregon, Louisiana, and New York City. She also facilitates professional development workshops for teachers and artists.

One of Renée’s passions is using the arts to help youth cope with trauma. She has facilitated poetry and theatre workshops with young girls coping with sexual and physical abuse, children who have witnessed violence, children coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and children who relocated to New York City after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Renée graduated from The New School, where she studied Creative Writing and earned a certificate in Drama Therapy.

Renée currently lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 rosy, loving stars for this second book in the Ryan Hart series. I ended up reading the two books in the series back to back so I got to enjoy extra time with the Hart family. Book #2 picks up right where Book #1 left off. Ryan finishes 4th grade and is looking forward to a fun summer. But with a new baby on the way at her house, some of her plans are not working out the way she expected. Can Ryan live up to her name and have a memorable summer? I love her interest in cooking, time at church bible camp, and especially her persistence in the summer reading challenge at her library. An especially poignant scene occurs when Ryan's grandma explains how to be a rose. Great advice for girls of all ages.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Childrens and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

Read my full review on my blog.

Many thanks to Bloomsbury for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

[Kate Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly the cutest, sweetest thing. ❤️ I'm loving this series! I ended up feeling so nostalgic for my own childhood. The themes in this one were especially cool.

[✧ hayley (the sugar bowl) ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

➳ 3 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

so i accidentally read this not knowing it was book two lol oops so that’s why it’s only a 3 star read. but i still enjoyed it and it was super cute so i call it a win and who knows maybe i’ll pick up book one 🎀



୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I liked how it showed it in a sort of timeline and how it only had like 2 or 3 time skips.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughters absolutely loved the first book in this series! I was so excited to get an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher of the sequel! They are already asking for book three!!!

This cute, middle grade novel is the perfect read for young girls. Ryan Hart is a charismatic and bubbly character that just warms your heart! This story has so many gems for young children to learn from and grow.

I am just as excited as my girls to continue reading Ryan’s journey. This book is full of Black girl magic and definitely sparks joy!!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these books, and can't wait for more of Ryan Hart. A bonus to the book is that the illustrations are so adorable!

[Becky Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet continuation of Ryan and her family negotiating new friends, new family member and new ‚old‘ house.

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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.


* Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC. Release date: 4/27/21

[Lost in Book Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello!

We are a little over halfway through September already somehow! I feel like thus far September has been one of my best reading months of 2022. I have been reading a ton of books and really enjoying most of my reads (I say most as there are definitely one or two I will be unhauling). One of the more recent reads I picked up, was the next book in the Ryan Hart series! There is a third book that is coming out (that I was super fortunate to be able to get an ARC of thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, which is coming very soon)! But for today, let’s rewind a bit and talk about Ryan Hart’s adventures in book two!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Ryan is kind of entering a new stage in her life! She is going to be a big sister very soon, but the waiting is taking forever. She is also going to get to go to camp for three days this summer and she wants to do the reading challenge at her local library! Lots of big things are happening but there will also be lots of big changes. With a new little sister coming, they will be making space for her in the home, and Ryan will need to go to the library with her dad and grandmother instead of her mom all the time. It also means that some summer traditions such as spending a day at the amusement park might not happen as normal. With so many new things happening Ryan is excited but also nervous about all the changes this summer. But she will soon be a big sister and that might just be the best change of all!

I really enjoyed my time with book two in the Ryan Hart series. Revisiting Ryan and her family was lots of fun. I enjoyed getting to see Ryan have new experiences such as camp but also see Ryan try to help her mom in some interesting ways (I will not be giving any spoilers here but Ryan and her brother would like to help their mother out and they definitely achieved their goal)! I can not wait to see where the Hart family goes next!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

**Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book to review.

It was a joy to read the next installment in the Ryan Hart series and I hope there will
be many more to come. The main character is so endearing and relatable. This feel good book with its child friendly story is like a warm, comforting hug. The reading level and illustrations make this perfect for kids who are transitioning into middle grade novels or as a family or classroom read aloud.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another warm family story.
I liked that the author worked church camp and Bible lessons into the story in a way that felt very natural. This built on the previous volume but could also stand alone. It may be the Oregon connection, but some of the family dynamics remind me of the Ramona Quimby books. So far this is an enjoyable series I would recommend to anyone who enjoys school age/early middle grade domestic fiction.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in Renee Watson's Ryan Hart series is as delightful as the first. Ryan's summer doesn't go as planned--mom's on bed rest with the baby coming, grandma doesn't have enough time for the library, and her first trip to sleepover vacation bible school is just plain hard. Told with warmth and humor, Ryan's everyday adventures will appeal to kids who enjoyed Kevin Henkes The Year of Billy Miller and Beverly Cleary's Ramona books.

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this today and started book 3. This one was really good. I think all three of us are learning important lessons from this series. KJ said it’s relatable. And Marleigh said she liked that Ryan got to name baby Rose. And I haven’t mentioned it but Sisi Aisha Johnson is doing a great job with the narration, she’s got a great range of tones.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The children and I enjoyed this very much. Grandma in this story gives great wisdom to Ryan, her granddaughter, and the readers. For example, it's okay to tell people what you need or want, and our hearts can hold love for a lot of people. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Wendy Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice companion to to the first book. I think middle grade readers will love Ryan's summer adventures and the new sibling!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story that includes relationships, integrity, kindness and diversity.

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book! I wish I had read the first book first, but still really enjoyable.

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a sweet love filled book!

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4. Such a beautiful story!! A little sister learning her place as she is becoming a middle sister, having new people enter her life (not always good) and she has such good values. I hope there will be a third book to this series 🙂

[Ellen Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK!

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This lower middle grade series follows in the literary tradition of Ramona and Beezus or Junie B. Jones, but for the up-and-coming generations, and with a particular focus on celebrating and uplifting young Black characters!

I think this series perfectly captures the highs and lows of childhood. It really encompasses that childlike feeling where everything is huge, everything is important, and every change feels insurmountable until you go through it. There are moments of joy, moments of confusion, moments of frustration, and most importantly moments of growth.

To see a young Black girl like Ryan learning to express herself, speak up for herself, and establish boundaries is going to be something that sticks with a lot of young readers potentially throughout their entire life. It's so important for young readers to see their stories and their experiences reflected, and to see that characters who look like them and live like them have agency, have wonder, and have the ability to make a difference.

Most importantly, this story emphasizes the importance of learning how to afford other people—and yourself—some grace, even when it's difficult. I think that's a really important lesson for young readers, and to see Ryan face her fears and confront discomfort in her life is empowering. As the title suggests, love is something that needs to be learned, cultivated, and grown, and that's what makes this installment so wonderful to read.

I have loved the first two installments in this series and I can't wait to read the next one! If you're a parent or someone who knows a young reader, you should definitely read this series with them!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Nothing is the same. Now that Mom is pregnant, everything has changed. Before school let out for summer, Ms. Colby said to my class, “Have a great summer. I hope you have fun and that it’s full of special moments. I can’t wait to hear all about it next school year.” The way summer is going, I won’t have any great or fun or special moments to share because all the summer plans we made aren’t happening.

Premise/plot: Ryan Hart is going to be a big sister! Yes, Ryan and Ray are getting a little sister. Ryan, our lovely, adorable heroine, is coping. On the one hand, a baby sister has potential certainly. On the other hand, it might bring about some CHANGES to her plans and routines. Will Ryan have the summer of her dreams if everything is baby, baby, baby all the time?

My thoughts: Ways to Grow Love is the second book in a series. Though I haven't read the first book--YET--I warmed up to the heroine quickly. Going to the library is one of Ryan's favorite, favorite, favorite things to do.

"But who can be quick in a wonderland of words and pictures? It’s not that I don’t like spending time with Grandma, it’s just that Mom and I go to the library at the end of every school year and we pick out books and have a book club, just the two of us."

EXACTLY. Soon my feelings spilled over for the rest of her family and friends. By the end of the novel it was love.

I enjoyed the family dynamics of this one--the relationships the family has with one another. I enjoyed the narration--Ryan is great!

I enjoyed the fact that faith is built into this one subtly-not-so-subtly. It's not that the novel is preachy--it isn't. It's just that faith is just as present and natural as breathing air. (In this one, Ryan goes to a Christian summer camp with some of her friends. Each cabin has to do a skit and Ryan and her friends choose the parable of the Good Samaritan for their skit.)

I loved the special father-daughter bonding. I've read two books in a row with excellent fathers--I could really love a trend like this if it continues!

“I want to write about one of the memories with my dad, but I don’t know which one to choose.” Ms. Anderson says, “Choose the one that you wish could happen again and again.”

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

My school is currently reading Ways to Make Sunshine as a One School One Book program. The reading specialist and I (I'm the librarian) picked the book and staff, students, and families have responded so well. When I saw that there was going to be a sequel, I was so excited (as I know many of my students are as well). I checked Edelweiss and realized I could download the arc.
This book was just as good as the first! This one takes place in summer and it all about Ryan and her family preparing for a new baby. Ryan is also completing the Summer Reading Challenge at her library so I obviously loved that too! In the very first chapter, Ryan thinks "But who can be quick in a wonderland of words and pictures?" I love that!
Just like the first book, Ryan isn't perfect. I think that is what makes her such a great character (she isn't quite as mean/unremorseful in this book though). I was a little worried about the part where Ryan goes to a church camp and has to put on play about a scripture story (worried as in it might be seen as too religious) but I think it was done really well. That part just tries to give the message that we should treat others with kindness and doesn't push religion. I really hope there are more in this series because I just love Ryan, her family, and her friends.

[Brandi Rae Fong]

I liked the first book a bit better, but this was still an strong entry in what I hope will still be an ongoing series. The camp aspect, and learning to get along with new people, and the changes of a new baby were all universal things kids will relate to...however, I was not expecting the heavy Christian camp element (not sure if I missed that in the reviews or description). It was fine, and I know tons of kids who will relate and see themselves in that situation, but as someone who is not religious, it felt a bit heavy handed.

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ways to Grow Love by Renee Watson was a treasure. I’d read Some Places More Than Others and instantly fell in love with Amara and her family, so I had high expectations for this book. And I was not disappointed. The story follows Ryan and her family as they prepare for the arrival of their new baby girl. Watson beautifully captures Ryan’s excitement and longing for her new sister, the uncertainty of their changing family dynamics and the growing pains of friendship, leadership and doing the right thing. From her close-knit family and her love of cookbooks to her treasured memories and beloved keepsake box, I was struck by just how much I learned about being a good parent, treasuring what truly matters most, something I seem to do whenever I read one of Watson’s books.

And the best news yet? I figured out this was part of the Ryan Hart series and now have Ways to Grow Sunshine on the way to my mailbox.

[Bexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

Copy provided by NetGalley and publisher.

[Emelia Longjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book it was not hard to read and it was not to long and it is not to short and I love it so much I am reading the next book!!!