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Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson continues her charming young middle grade series with "Ways to Share Joy".
By The Skanner News | The Skanner News
Published: 22 September 2022

"Ways to Share Joy" is the third in award-winning author Renée Watson's charming Ramona-esque series, starring spirited Ryan Hart and her loving family.

Renée Watson is a name that needs no more introduction in the world of children’s literature. The Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor winner is also a New York Times bestselling author, educator, activist, luminary, and poet. Watson’s high-profile partnerships of late include Chelsea Clinton (“She Persisted: Oprah Winfrey”) and Nikole Hannah-Jones of the 1619 Project (“Born on the Water”). Bloomsbury Publishing is home to Watson’s solo work, including the Ryan Hart series beginning with “Ways to Make Sunshine” and followed by “Ways to Grow Love”, and homage to and reimagining of beloved literary heroine Ramona Quimby.

The third installment of Ryan’s story, “Ways to Share Joy”, publishing September 27, again features our irrepressible girl living with her middle-class family Portland. This time, Ryan is caught in the middle – between her big brother and new baby sister, between two friends each wanting to be her best best friend. But it’s hard to be cheery with her brother, Ray, pulls the ultimate prank and ruins her latest baking project for Grandma’s birthday. And who can think about being kind to a classmate who is relentless with his teasing?

In her signature style, Watson puts joy front and center when writing and honoring her communities. Young readers will grow and shine with Ryan, who always finds a way to look on the bright side of things and bask in more humor, more heart, and more fun in this third book.

"Ways to Share Joy" is a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year.

"Move over Ramona Quimby, Portland has another neighbor you have to meet!"

The New York Times book review says, "This brave new world we're living in sure could use more stories about these bright and imaginative girls who specialize in 'making a way out of no way.'"

Renée Watson splits her time between Portland and New York City.

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