Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Ways to Make Sunshine: Ryan Hart, Book 1

Top positive review

This was the first book in my Summer Book club with my daughter.

Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2020

We have enjoyed this book tremendously. The authentication of having a Black author write about a Black childhood experience cannot be ignored. I loved it as an adult, and my daughter cannot wait for the second installment. Fantastic work, Renee Watson!

22 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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This book is not uplifting for brown and black girls

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2021

I wanted to find more books that my daughters could relate to. However this book encourages misogynistic and racist ways of life for black and brown girls. For example, it promotes straightening afro and curly hair for, "special occasions". It's implying that our natural hair is not good enough or beautiful enough. I teach my girls to embrace their natural styles especially for special occasions.
Also, the main characters name is Ryan. Which is fine. However, her family named her Ryan, which means "king", so she would embrace being a good leader. Seriously? As if kings or men are the only ones who can be good leaders.
The list goes on.
I will be using this book to explain what NOT to do. This book is NOT pro-black.

36 people found this helpful

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837 global ratings | 12 global reviews

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From the United States

Natalie P.

This was the first book in my Summer Book club with my daughter.

Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2020

Verified Purchase

22 people found this helpful

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Curl6

Beautiful book for my little girl!

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I love Ryan and I hope we see many more books about her, her brother, and her friends. Kids that happen to be Black, just living their life and going through their small dramas and joys. We need more books like this that allow our Black kids to just be kids. Beautiful.

19 people found this helpful

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Afoma

Delightful Middle-Grade Protagonist

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

Renee Watson’s Ways to Make Sunshine is an absolutely delightful early middle-grade book with a memorable protagonist. I would recommend this book to any who enjoy strong female leads, books about female friendships, and heartwarming sibling dynamics. This book also excellently handles the issue of a family dealing with financial difficulties, and finally, it reminds Black girls that they are not their hair. Highly recommend, and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

12 people found this helpful

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Olivia C.

Lovely

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021

Verified Purchase

I loved this book. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson is an honest and authentic story of an African American child just being a kid who finds positive ways to maneuver through life's ups and downs. Race is eloquently woven into 11 year old Ryan's everyday world. It affirms African American culture. It generates confidence and support. Ryan explores common issues like the connection between swimming and "Oh no! What happened to my hair!" as well as the magic of the African American beautician in her grandmother's shoes. Ryan's creative approach to life says, "This is my world and I am more than okay." Her experiences challenge her to step forward even when her father has to take a lower paying job and the family must move to a less expensive home.
Ryan finds herself surrounded by friendship and family love which she creatively reciprocates.

Watson's Ways to Make Sunshine reminds me of the Gaither Sisters Trilogy,(One Crazy Summer,P.S. Be Eleven and Gone Crazy in Alabama). This series concerns an African American family with a different family dynamic lightly interspersed with the events of the 1960's and how these events affect the family. Watson's Ways to Make Sunshine celebrates modern times, without the current events. Both authors incorporate similar family values
with sprinkles of wisdom as each family strives to make a good life for themselves.

If you enjoyed this series, you will love Watson's Ways to Make Sunshine, a well written story and a memorable,delightful experience.

One person found this helpful

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Betsy

Fabulous book

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020

Verified Purchase

My 6 year old grandson LOVED this book!!! I’m going to see what else the author has written!

7 people found this helpful

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mwhetstone

Good book

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2020

Verified Purchase

Good book , my granddaughter enjoyed it .

4 people found this helpful

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Camille Barnett

My granddaughter enjoyed this book.

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2020

Verified Purchase

Great book for young girls.

6 people found this helpful

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Customer

Ryan Hart is such a wonderful character!

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021

Verified Purchase

Ryan Hart is such a relatable character for young girls. She's got challenges like anyone, but her positive attitude is something I can't wait to share with students.

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