Ways to Make Sunshine
A Review by Amanda Kendall
Bibliography:
Watson, Renee. 2020. Ways to Make Sunshine. Ill. by Nina Mata. New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books. ISBN 1547606657
Plot Summary:
Given a name to live up to is a big responsibility, especially when your name means "king." But Ryan Hart is up for the challenge. She is determined to be a leader no matter what life throws at her. The story begins with Ryan's parents offering ice cream before dinner, a sure sign that bad news is coming. After Ryan's father lost his job with the post office months prior, he accepted a new job making less money. So, the family will have to downsize which means selling a car, moving to a smaller house, and cutting back on expenses. The story continues with Ryan enduring one spontaneous disaster after another including a failure at church, a contest to prove her loyalty to a friend, and a struggle to showcase her gift for cooking at the school's talent show. As Ryan copes with the changes and challenges in her daily life she finds sunshine in creating new recipes, spending time with family and friends, and finding the positive in every situation.
Critical Analysis:
From the very first page, Ryan Hart's first person narrative welcomes readers into her world. She is smart, spunky, and determined to live up to her name. The novel unfolds as a series of short episodes where inevitably something goes terribly wrong for Ryan. From forgetting her lines at the Easter service (again!) to ruining her hair in the pool at a sleepover, Ryan finds herself in one unfortunate situation after another. Yet each time she pulls through with grace, humility, and positivity. Watson's writing style is engaging and clear. The short chapters read quickly keeping readers engaged in the text and eager to read one more chapter. The grayscale illustrations are a window into Ryan's world and add to the authenticity of the text throughout the novel. One illustration shows Ryan's grandmother straightening her hair, honoring the cultural tradition of family and the importance of hair in the African-American culture. Another illustration shows Ryan sleeping in her head scarf to protect her hair. Yet another illustration beautifully captures the love of the Hart family with them all dancing and cooking together.
Ryan's story focuses on the everyday ups and downs of childhood including spats with her older brother, moving to a new (old) house, and being paranoid that she's lost her best friend. Watson's story has great universal appeal, but also captures the life of a 10 year old Black girl living in Portland with her family. The main characters are richly developed, free of stereotypes, and show all sides of the human experience. One of Ryan's greatest gifts is compassion. She frequently shows empathy to the people around her, but it doesn't keep her from succumbing to jealousy at a friend's house and getting into a swimming contest with her nemesis. She's a real character, but not perfect and learning through her experiences alongside the reader.
Ryan's experiences also reflect distinct cultural experiences of a Black girl. Ryan struggles to see herself with her natural hair as beautiful and loves when her grandmother spends hours straightening it. But when she is pushed to her limits at her friend's sleepover, she jumps into the pool and consequently ruins her hair. As soon as it gets wet, her straight hair is gone and her "puffy" (Watson 2020) hair is back. She's upset and embarrassed so she runs off. But in true Ryan fashion, she finds her confidence, pulls her hair into "a big, big Afro puff" (Watson 2020), and rejoins the group saying she is trying to be the "beautiful person my Grandma says I am" (Watson 2020). This theme of beauty standards that oppress and make Ryan feel less than are one of the many cultural markers gently woven into this story.
Other important themes that reflect the African-American experience throughout the story are the effects of unemployment, loyalty and obligation to family, and the power of friendship. The effects of unemployment are threaded throughout the story. When Ryan is at the grocery story with her mother she doesn't ask for any special ingredients or spices for her recipes. She doesn't say a word when her mother puts the generic brand of cereal into the shopping cart and when Ryan burns the chicken, her mom quietly mumbles about the cost of the chicken, but tells Ryan it will be alright. For Ryan's family the loss of income has direct effects on their daily lives and that shows throughout the story, but it is always shown in a way that shows the family's love, respect, and loyalty to each other. Another important theme is friendship. Ryan has amazing friends that stick by her in every situation. When Ryan's hair is ruined in the pool and she runs off, only her friend, Amanda, can make her feel better. "Then Amanda comes to the floor. She doesn't knock or ask me if I'm okay. She just sits on the floor. I know it's her because she is the only one that when I'm upset, I don't want to talk about it" (Watson 2020). It is grandmother's advice that kindness is what makes a person beautiful
and Amanda's unwavering support that gives her the strength to
return to the party and join the fun. Throughout the novel, Ryan's friends and family are the foundation for her sunshine. Ways to Make Sunshine shows how positivity, kindness, and support from family and friends can make all the difference. Ryan continually lives up to her name by leading with kindness, compassion and heart for herself, her family, and her friends.
Review Excerpts & Awards:
BOOKLIST (March 15, 2020) "More than a window into the everyday experiences of children of color,
this ensures that African American girls in particular feel seen."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (March 20, 2020) "From Easter speeches to African American hair care, this book will give those whose lives are like Ryan's an opportunity to feel seen. For those whose lives are different, this book provides a clear window into a nuclear family dealing with familiar topics in a unique way."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (March 20, 2020) "From Easter speeches to African American hair care, this book will give those whose lives are like Ryan's an opportunity to feel seen. For those whose lives are different, this book provides a clear window into a nuclear family dealing with familiar topics in a unique way."
KIRKUS REVIEWS (February 15, 2020) "Each episodic chapter confronts Ryan with a situation; intermittently
funny, frustrating, and touching, they should be familiar and accessible
to readers, as when Ryan fumbles her Easter speech despite careful
practice. Ryan, her family, and friends are black, and Watson continues
to bring visibility to both Portland, Oregon, generally and its black
community specifically, making another wonderful contribution that
allows black readers to see themselves and all readers to find a
character they can love. Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another
neighbor you have to meet!"
- Bluebonnet Award Nominee - 2021
Curricular Connections:
- Ryan loves to cook and create new recipes. Encourage students to cook a new recipe at home with family or create their own version of a family favorite by adding or swapping ingredients.
- Create a keepsake box out of an old shoe box. Encourage students to select 3-4 artifacts that are meaningful to them to put in the box and share. Use the items in the box as inspiration for writing.
- Make a list of "Ways to Make Sunshine" in your own life and share with the class.
