Ways to Make Sunshine By Renée Watson (Grades 4-6)

When Renée Watson was seven years old, she wrote a 21-page story and her teacher told her, “I think you’re going to be a writer one day!” And she was right. Renée’s been writing ever since: poetry, plays, and books, including The Ryan Hart series. Ryan is bright, spirited, and ambitious. Ways to Make Sunshine gives young readers a happy story that also explores how a young girl deals with difficult situations like her own self-image, her family’s financial struggles, and arguments with her brother. Renée believes that words are powerful and she wants to use her words to inspire, heal, and change the world.