Ways to Share Joy by Renée Watson
A Review By: SS
Bloomsbury presents Ways to Share Joy by Renée Watson, read by Sisi Aisha Johnson.
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.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2022
An installment in a Series? Yes
Narrator (s): Sisi Aisha Johnson
Another fun installment in the Ryan Hart series! Readers grow with Ryan as she adjusts to life “in the middle.” She is no longer simply a little sister to Ray but is now also a big sister to baby Rose. Since becoming the middle child, Ryan begins to question her position in the family dynamic. Unfortunately for Ryan, she also finds herself in the middle of her two best friends who both want to be her #1 friend. She loves them both and does not want to choose. With love and guidance from her family, Ryan learns that there are many ways to share joy, and she will always have a special place in her loved ones’ hearts.
Renee Watson once again presented topics that many readers who are Ryan’s age may face: adjusting to life in a growing family and maintaining friendships, These are real life issues and they are presented with sensible solutions. I love that the family is tight-knit and always seems to work together to solve their issues. Ryan’s parents are firm, yet gentle, in the way they handle issues that arise. The relationships are loving and believable. These characters are authentic and Sisi Aisha Johnson does a superb job bringing Ryan’s emotions to life, as well as those of the other characters.
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: 4 (It’s lit!)
Content Warnings? None
