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Ryan Hart #3
Ways to Share Joy
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 is caught in the middle. She has an older brother and a new baby sister, and she's in a friendship tug-of-war with two friends who both want to be her best best friend. How can Ryan think about being kind to a classmate who is relentless with his teasing? Or be her signature sunny self when her brother, Ray, pulls the ultimate prank?
But even when it seems like nothing is going her way, Ryan still looks for a way to see the bright side of things, refusing to let anything steal her joy, and finding ways to share it with everyone she meets.
Ryan Hart is caught in the middle. She has an older brother and a new baby sister, and she's in a friendship tug-of-war with two friends who both want to be her best best friend. How can Ryan think about being kind to a classmate who is relentless with his teasing? Or be her signature sunny self when her brother, Ray, pulls the ultimate prank?
But even when it seems like nothing is going her way, Ryan still looks for a way to see the bright side of things, refusing to let anything steal her joy, and finding ways to share it with everyone she meets.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published September 27, 2022
32 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Renée Watson
36 books1,669 followersRenée 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 29, 2022
This Ryan Hart series is such a breath of fresh air. As the middle child, she grows weary at times of "being in the middle." And her sibling rivalry with older brother Ryan is getting into some dangerous prank territory. Baby Rose is beyond adorable and I love the relationship Ryan has with her grandmother. We also see a healthy family dynamic with Ryan's parents AND their family regularly attends church -- a habit that is not often represented in MG reads these days. Ryan is in the 5th grade and has the normal middle grade struggles with annoying boys and good friends who want to do different things. Ryan's grandmother gives her excellent advice and labels her besties as "true" friends so no one feels slighted. There is a surprise party being planned for Grandma on Thanksgiving. Since they spend so much time with her it is hard to keep it a secret. Will they make it to the party without spoiling the surprise?
July 6, 2022
I would give it a hundred million stars if I could. I love this series so much.
Ways to Share Joy. Renee Watson. 2022. [September] 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence: I am a girl in the middle. Stuck in between my older brother, Ray, and baby sister, Rose. Being in the middle means I have my brother bossing me around telling me to do this, do that. It means I am called on to help out with baby Rose when she needs to be rocked, fed, changed.
Premise/plot: Ways to Share Joy is the third book in the series by Renee Watson. The first two books are Ways To Make Sunshine and Ways to Grow Love. (Both highly recommended). So Ryan, our WONDERFUL heroine is in fifth grade now. The book occurs between October and November of her fifth grade year. The book begins with a Halloween/harvest festival at church and ends with a lovely Thanksgiving celebration/birthday weekend. (Her grandma is having a big, super-surprise birthday). Time is divided between Ryan's life at home (with her immediate and extended family) and at school.
My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, crazy love this series. I do. It would be awesome to sit down and read all three books back to back to back. (Like I used to do with the Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary.) Ryan Hart has to be one of my all-time favorite heroines. I love Ryan's family. (Though Ray is quite a STINKER in this one.) I love seeing her and her family celebrate. The characterization is so well done in this one. Please let this series never end.
Quotes:
"How about, for every piece of chocolate, we have to tell something we're afraid of," Then I say, "You start," because I realize for the first time that I have no idea if Dad has any fears. He's always the one coming to the rescue. I don't know what makes his heart pound, his palms sweat. .... "I'm afraid moments like this won't happen as you get older." "What do you mean?" I ask. "I'll never say no to chocolate for breakfast." "No, what I mean is--well, you're in the fifth grade now. Next year, you'll be in middle school and I...I just hope you always remember that your daddy loves you. I know I'm missing out on a lot because of my work schedule, but, well, all this hard work is for you."
I can't believe Kiki doesn't like elephant ears [funnel cakes]. We've been friends our whole lives and somehow I didn't know know this. I guess there is always something to learn about a friend, even the friends you know really, really well.
In these photos, she is just a girl. Just a girl who doesn't know she will marry one day and have two daughters and that her grandchildren will love her more than the stars love to cling to the sky.
Joy is something deep, deep down. Joy isn't always based on how you feel, but what you know. And sometimes Joy is happening even when frustration and sadness is happening. So, that's why I said what I said. Today, I am reminded of how much this family loves me. And my heart is truly overjoyed.
Ways to Share Joy. Renee Watson. 2022. [September] 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence: I am a girl in the middle. Stuck in between my older brother, Ray, and baby sister, Rose. Being in the middle means I have my brother bossing me around telling me to do this, do that. It means I am called on to help out with baby Rose when she needs to be rocked, fed, changed.
Premise/plot: Ways to Share Joy is the third book in the series by Renee Watson. The first two books are Ways To Make Sunshine and Ways to Grow Love. (Both highly recommended). So Ryan, our WONDERFUL heroine is in fifth grade now. The book occurs between October and November of her fifth grade year. The book begins with a Halloween/harvest festival at church and ends with a lovely Thanksgiving celebration/birthday weekend. (Her grandma is having a big, super-surprise birthday). Time is divided between Ryan's life at home (with her immediate and extended family) and at school.
My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, crazy love this series. I do. It would be awesome to sit down and read all three books back to back to back. (Like I used to do with the Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary.) Ryan Hart has to be one of my all-time favorite heroines. I love Ryan's family. (Though Ray is quite a STINKER in this one.) I love seeing her and her family celebrate. The characterization is so well done in this one. Please let this series never end.
Quotes:
"How about, for every piece of chocolate, we have to tell something we're afraid of," Then I say, "You start," because I realize for the first time that I have no idea if Dad has any fears. He's always the one coming to the rescue. I don't know what makes his heart pound, his palms sweat. .... "I'm afraid moments like this won't happen as you get older." "What do you mean?" I ask. "I'll never say no to chocolate for breakfast." "No, what I mean is--well, you're in the fifth grade now. Next year, you'll be in middle school and I...I just hope you always remember that your daddy loves you. I know I'm missing out on a lot because of my work schedule, but, well, all this hard work is for you."
I can't believe Kiki doesn't like elephant ears [funnel cakes]. We've been friends our whole lives and somehow I didn't know know this. I guess there is always something to learn about a friend, even the friends you know really, really well.
In these photos, she is just a girl. Just a girl who doesn't know she will marry one day and have two daughters and that her grandchildren will love her more than the stars love to cling to the sky.
Joy is something deep, deep down. Joy isn't always based on how you feel, but what you know. And sometimes Joy is happening even when frustration and sadness is happening. So, that's why I said what I said. Today, I am reminded of how much this family loves me. And my heart is truly overjoyed.
January 1, 2023
A perfect way to end the year. Renee Watson never disappoints.
March 8, 2025
Another adorable installment in this series! The emotions surrounding shoe shopping and the moment when she watches Grandma taste her bake were especially relatable. 💜
CW: sibling rivalry and pranks.
CW: sibling rivalry and pranks.
October 9, 2025
Another warm installment for the Hart family. I really enjoyed Ryan’s grandmother and her wise advice and the realistic friendship woes between Ryan and her friends. I appreciate that the author keeps a timeless feel by saying things like “a favorite song” or “a popular song” and not listing artists or titles. My only quibble with this one was the mother’s insistence that too much holding of the new baby will “spoil“ her. You can’t spoil a newborn!
I have been reading this series via Overdrive on my Kindle while I put my son to sleep at night and a few minutes before I fall asleep, and they are just the right tone for relaxing and falling asleep. Warm, comforting, never too tense or dramatic.
I have been reading this series via Overdrive on my Kindle while I put my son to sleep at night and a few minutes before I fall asleep, and they are just the right tone for relaxing and falling asleep. Warm, comforting, never too tense or dramatic.
October 1, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ Beautifully well written story of a young girl learning about being the middle child, having 2 good friends, keeping a secret about her grandmothers birthdays party and not messing up her surprise gift. Can she make it, I liked reading the story and seeing how Ryan’s acts. She is not perfect but is very et mature and learns a lot along the way.
I was even more excited to read it close to Halloween and Thanksgiving, this mentions both and is fun to read near the holidays 🦃 🎃
I was even more excited to read it close to Halloween and Thanksgiving, this mentions both and is fun to read near the holidays 🦃 🎃
September 27, 2022
with the most charming illustrations by Nina Mata.
Ryan Hart is the one perpetually in the middle: between her prank-loving big brother Ray and her new baby sister Rose, and between her two best friends KiKi and Amanda. Fortunately, Rose is a little sweetheart, even if she does seem to take up almost all of Mom's time and energy. Ray, however, is your typically self-centered older brother. When a prank war between the siblings backfires and threatens to ruin not only Thanksgiving but also Grandma's birthday surprise, will Rose be able to maintain her trademark sunny demeanor?
As if that isn't enough for a fifth-grader's plate, she also has to deal with a kid at school who will not stop teasing her. Ofc, his shenanigans fade to nothing compared to the demands of one of her best friends, KiKi. Since their other best friend Amanda moved away to a new school, KiKi has become increasingly needy about being Ryan's best best friend. How will Ryan reconcile what she knows to be true with her desire to preserve her friendships?
Luckily, Grandma and co are there to help Ryan figure out not only how to keep calm but also how to keep spreading joy. These are great lessons for any kid, told with kindness and heart in Renée Watson's latest middle-grade novel. It's especially refreshing to see a Black girl take center stage, as well as to absorb all the intricacies of her life growing up in blue-collar Portland, Oregon. While the book series and its heroine have been compared to the immortal Ramona Quimby, I think a more relevant comparison belongs to the even older Pollyanna series of books, with Ryan serving as the modern update. And by no means do I say that pejoratively, as the jaded and more worldly might. Ryan is a deeply lovely child, and while she doesn't have a Glad Game of actively seeking out the positive, she is naturally more inclined to look for the good in a situation than to focus on the bad, an outlook which can help anyone build both inner strength and character.
I actually really appreciated the fact that Ryan even kindly disagreed with her mom regarding one tenet on raising baby Rose. Mom insists that too much holding will spoil Rose, an idea that 100% raised an eyebrow for me: fortunately, Ryan also agrees with me that this is most likely nonsense, while still respecting her mother's wishes. Ms Watson deftly walks a tightrope of depicting a loving, if strictly budgeted life with a generosity of spirit from many corners.
I'm going to add this book to my kids' growing pile of things I think they should read: perhaps they will grow to be more fervent readers in future! They will definitely enjoy Ways To Share Joy once they do. In the meantime, this is a terrific and timely read -- spanning the Halloween to Thanksgiving seasons -- for anyone who enjoys goodhearted fiction.
Ways to Share Joy by Renée Watson was published today September 27 2022 by Bloomsbury Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
Ryan Hart is the one perpetually in the middle: between her prank-loving big brother Ray and her new baby sister Rose, and between her two best friends KiKi and Amanda. Fortunately, Rose is a little sweetheart, even if she does seem to take up almost all of Mom's time and energy. Ray, however, is your typically self-centered older brother. When a prank war between the siblings backfires and threatens to ruin not only Thanksgiving but also Grandma's birthday surprise, will Rose be able to maintain her trademark sunny demeanor?
As if that isn't enough for a fifth-grader's plate, she also has to deal with a kid at school who will not stop teasing her. Ofc, his shenanigans fade to nothing compared to the demands of one of her best friends, KiKi. Since their other best friend Amanda moved away to a new school, KiKi has become increasingly needy about being Ryan's best best friend. How will Ryan reconcile what she knows to be true with her desire to preserve her friendships?
Luckily, Grandma and co are there to help Ryan figure out not only how to keep calm but also how to keep spreading joy. These are great lessons for any kid, told with kindness and heart in Renée Watson's latest middle-grade novel. It's especially refreshing to see a Black girl take center stage, as well as to absorb all the intricacies of her life growing up in blue-collar Portland, Oregon. While the book series and its heroine have been compared to the immortal Ramona Quimby, I think a more relevant comparison belongs to the even older Pollyanna series of books, with Ryan serving as the modern update. And by no means do I say that pejoratively, as the jaded and more worldly might. Ryan is a deeply lovely child, and while she doesn't have a Glad Game of actively seeking out the positive, she is naturally more inclined to look for the good in a situation than to focus on the bad, an outlook which can help anyone build both inner strength and character.
I actually really appreciated the fact that Ryan even kindly disagreed with her mom regarding one tenet on raising baby Rose. Mom insists that too much holding will spoil Rose, an idea that 100% raised an eyebrow for me: fortunately, Ryan also agrees with me that this is most likely nonsense, while still respecting her mother's wishes. Ms Watson deftly walks a tightrope of depicting a loving, if strictly budgeted life with a generosity of spirit from many corners.
I'm going to add this book to my kids' growing pile of things I think they should read: perhaps they will grow to be more fervent readers in future! They will definitely enjoy Ways To Share Joy once they do. In the meantime, this is a terrific and timely read -- spanning the Halloween to Thanksgiving seasons -- for anyone who enjoys goodhearted fiction.
Ways to Share Joy by Renée Watson was published today September 27 2022 by Bloomsbury Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
March 28, 2024
Part of a series of books about Ryan Hart, Ways to Share Joy is a fun middle grade novel that reminds readers it's ok to take chances and make mistakes, but being a part of a great family and having wonderful friends, and sharing joy together, makes the tougher moments better. I love that Watson has created this series that is generally pretty light hearted but also takes on difficult topics such as microaggressions and racism, in a way that young readers can interact with and reflect on. I would recommend this book for readers in the age 7-10 range and while I have not yet read this one aloud, I have read the first book in the series as a class read aloud in Grade 3 and the students really engaged with it and enjoyed it. There were also lots of great opportunities for discussion. I feel this book would land similarly and would recommend it to students who have enjoyed the other books in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
February 6, 2024
I absolutely LOVE this series. My only complaint is that the copy editor failed to correct the dozens of times the author wrote “me and….” It is NEVER correct grammar to put yourself first. Never. It’s like nails on a chalkboard pouring lemon juice on paper cuts to read that. My daughter and I were reading this aloud, and I had to edit as I read because I just couldn’t read those sentences as written. I could understand if it were a dialogue style choice, but the rest of Ryan’s narration and dialogue were grammatically correct, so this stood out in a bad way.
Otherwise, these books are fantastic stories of family and friendship set right here in Portland. My daughter was blown away by the idea that I had actually been to Saturday Market and the Skidmore Fountain. 😂
Number three in the series should be read in series order and feels a bit unresolved, like it’s needing book four to hurry along immediately afterward.
Otherwise, these books are fantastic stories of family and friendship set right here in Portland. My daughter was blown away by the idea that I had actually been to Saturday Market and the Skidmore Fountain. 😂
Number three in the series should be read in series order and feels a bit unresolved, like it’s needing book four to hurry along immediately afterward.
September 6, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books through NetGalley.
Ryan's story continues as the family prepares for Thanksgiving and Grandma's 70th birthday surprise party. She and her two best friends are also figuring out how to make a trio continue to work. I'm impressed with how Watson handles this and offers subtle suggestions for readers. The author continues to develop these characters in situations that are relatable for middle grade readers. We see how the family is coping and making it work after her dad's job loss, the new baby arrived, and mom is back to work as well. It's a realistic portrayal of this family's life underscored by love but not sugar coating challenges and struggles. Looking forward to the next book.
Ryan's story continues as the family prepares for Thanksgiving and Grandma's 70th birthday surprise party. She and her two best friends are also figuring out how to make a trio continue to work. I'm impressed with how Watson handles this and offers subtle suggestions for readers. The author continues to develop these characters in situations that are relatable for middle grade readers. We see how the family is coping and making it work after her dad's job loss, the new baby arrived, and mom is back to work as well. It's a realistic portrayal of this family's life underscored by love but not sugar coating challenges and struggles. Looking forward to the next book.
July 25, 2022
Ryan Hart is back!
🧁
Ryan is officially the middle child with her older brother Ray and little sister Rose, who loves Ryan best. As Ryan settles into this new role at home, she’s also dealing with two best friends competing for her attention, her Grandma’s surprise birthday party and her brother pranking her before the big event. How will she get him back?
🧁
Ryan Hart stories are like one big hug. I love these middle grade books because they just have so much joy, love and sunshine infused into every page. I love Ryan’s family and how she deals with the changes in her life. Can’t wait for the next installment! This MG book releases 9.27.
🧁
Ryan is officially the middle child with her older brother Ray and little sister Rose, who loves Ryan best. As Ryan settles into this new role at home, she’s also dealing with two best friends competing for her attention, her Grandma’s surprise birthday party and her brother pranking her before the big event. How will she get him back?
🧁
Ryan Hart stories are like one big hug. I love these middle grade books because they just have so much joy, love and sunshine infused into every page. I love Ryan’s family and how she deals with the changes in her life. Can’t wait for the next installment! This MG book releases 9.27.
July 18, 2023
My daughter and I loved the first two books, so we were thrilled when a new third book came out! This was just as good as the others. I like the way the author observes what it’s like growing up as an African American kid in a predominantly white city(Portland), but in a non-judge mental way, and yet also making us realize how much we all have in common. As a mom, I enjoyed Ryan’s relationship with her parents and grandmother. There were several times my daughter and I laughed out loud because it was so relatable and funny. Such a sweet, lovely series.
December 30, 2024
The sweet third book in the Ryan Hart stories, this time Ryan is excited to make her grandmother's birthday cake which happens to be a surprise birthday party on Thanksgiving, which is doubly exciting however her older obnoxious brother ends up ruining a few things along the way.
Regardless, Ryan is adjusting to life in the middle now that baby Rose was born. She's navigating friendships as well and is preparing to enter middle school soon.
Lovely, family-oriented, and a celebration of wholesomeness and goodness.
Regardless, Ryan is adjusting to life in the middle now that baby Rose was born. She's navigating friendships as well and is preparing to enter middle school soon.
Lovely, family-oriented, and a celebration of wholesomeness and goodness.
August 25, 2022
I loved book three in this series. So sweet. I received a digital version of this title and it was one of the few times I have ever highlighted sections in a Kindle book. They struck me so deeply I wanted to remember them. From a children's book no less. The author did a fantastic job of portraying every day life for any child in a way that was meaningful and fun. Love this new version of Ramona!
October 16, 2022
Once again, the daily life dramas of Ryan, her friends, and her family, did bring me joy. And once again, the only note that seemed slightly off was Ryan's age. We're told she's going into 5th grade, but often she seemed younger. The friendship drama and how it is resolved, as well as the way Ryan solves her own problems make this a great choice for struggling middle grade readers.
Review based on an eARC received through Edelweiss.
Review based on an eARC received through Edelweiss.
December 20, 2022
Ryan is very relatable. She explains in real life examples of what it is like to be the middle child. I like how she presents it using pros and cons. Somehow even the negatives sound positive. Ryan is a real Pollyanna., sharing sunshine with everyone.
In this story Ryan does struggle with wanting everyone to be happy. She lives up to her last name Hart. She is full of heart. She shows that helping and being kind to others makes you feel good too. Ryan learns that joy is “deep down” that never leaves you ever though hard times.
In this story Ryan does struggle with wanting everyone to be happy. She lives up to her last name Hart. She is full of heart. She shows that helping and being kind to others makes you feel good too. Ryan learns that joy is “deep down” that never leaves you ever though hard times.
December 21, 2022
My daughter and I have read all three books in this series together and we agreed this was our favorite so far. The issues Ryan faces - feuding with her brother, trying decide who is her best best friend, etc. - rang so true to my daughter and led to some great bedtime conversations! Neither of us cared for the final chapter (we agreed it should have ended with the penultimate chapter!), but it was still a lovely shared reading experience.
January 7, 2023
I haven't read a kids book for awhile, but I wanted to read this one written by a Portland author and set in Portland. It was reminiscent of Beverly Cleary. The story is told by 5th grade Ryan, a middle child with an older brother and a baby sister. Just a regular family, regular kids doing regular kid stuff. Ryan is very likable little girl. Apparently this author has written other books about her.
June 27, 2023
This series is just so dang heartwarming. It tackles big, important things and little bitty things and just focuses with great tenderness on a young girls' life. Ryan, now in 5th grade, is feeling out her in-the-middle place -- in between a big brother and a new baby sister; in between two best friends; in between the last of elementary school and the start of middle school. She's got a great sense of humor, and her elders really help her to know her own mind. Great stuff.
October 12, 2023
Renee Watson does it again! The incredibly relatable Ryan Hart is a joy to read. Ryan deals with real life feelings and relationships. It's so nice to read about a character who is dealing with tricky emotions and reacting in human ways. I'm grateful to have this window for my daughter to look into another person's life growing through these experiences. I cannot wait for Ways to Build Dreams to get here!!!
November 23, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
This was another great addition to the Ryan Hart series. I have the first two in my classroom library, and I have many students who enjoy reading her stories. They are such quick reads, but they each have great lessons within them. In this third story, Ryan is facing new challenges, such as adjusting to being a big sister, figuring out how to handle friend jealousy, and keeping her grandmother’s surprise birthday party a secret. Watson portrays real, day-to-day life in such a way that kids can relate to Ryan.
I highly recommend this to any middle grade reader! This was a good reflection on the things that bring you real joy.
This was another great addition to the Ryan Hart series. I have the first two in my classroom library, and I have many students who enjoy reading her stories. They are such quick reads, but they each have great lessons within them. In this third story, Ryan is facing new challenges, such as adjusting to being a big sister, figuring out how to handle friend jealousy, and keeping her grandmother’s surprise birthday party a secret. Watson portrays real, day-to-day life in such a way that kids can relate to Ryan.
I highly recommend this to any middle grade reader! This was a good reflection on the things that bring you real joy.
May 22, 2023
Contemporary fiction for ages 7-10, this is the third book, but they are quick and such a joy that I keep reading them. Life, love, lessons, laughter. So good. The family is Christian, and church life is an important part of the book. Being Black is also woven into the fabric. I figured this was going to be the last one, but it ended on a little cliff-hanger! More to come, I think.
August 1, 2023
Perhaps my favourite of the Ryan Hart series.
Grandma was in fine form with her wisdom. The relationship issues between her friends mature, and provide for some sweet moments of sharing. The pranks between her and her brother continue (they haven't learned their lesson yet), but the siblings also share some sweet moments.
Grandma was in fine form with her wisdom. The relationship issues between her friends mature, and provide for some sweet moments of sharing. The pranks between her and her brother continue (they haven't learned their lesson yet), but the siblings also share some sweet moments.
October 18, 2022
A gentle family story about Ryan - middle child, fifth grader, aspiring chef and baker - as she navigates school, changing friendships and regular family life. A breath of fresh air. I love this series.
October 30, 2022
I love the Ryan Hart series! Renee Watson writes beautifully, and I feel so greedy after finishing her latest book because I just want more!
These books are short which makes them really accessible to many young readers!
These books are short which makes them really accessible to many young readers!
November 2, 2022
Ryan Hart is a fifth grader and caught in the middle of an older brother/younger sister and 2 best friends. Even when things don't work out, Ryan has the maturity to make the best of things and see the good. A great story for upper elementary!
January 5, 2023
Read this as a read aloud with my kiddos and this entire series has been very well received!!!! After each chapter, they were begging me to read another and we couldn’t put it down. This is my first book finished of 2023!
February 4, 2023
I love how real the Hart family is. Real middle child issues, sibling rivalry-ish, and parents who are doing their best to keep all together. Ways to Share Joy is truly a joy to read. I hope Renee Watson adds more Ryan Hart stories to this collection.
April 27, 2023
This is the third in the Ryan Hart series, which is a very sweet, modern children's story, reminiscent of the Ramona books. They're quick, easy readalouds that my kids enjoy. There's always at least one scene that has us all laughing.
Want to read
June 24, 2023I adore Ryan Hart and her family! This trilogy is so sweet and perfect for ‘tween’ readers. I preordered this one for my library as soon as it was announced, I just knew it would be as wonderful as the first two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews