Ways to Grow Love by Renée Watson (review)

Rising fifth-grader Ryan (from Ways to Make Sunshine, BCCB 4/20) is back, still waiting for her new baby sister to come. Episodic chapters follow her and her older brother, Ray, through household bickering and helping that doesn’t always help; the main focus in this book, though, is Ryan’s experience at overnight church camp, where she’s in a cabin with best friends Amanda and KiKi but also Amanda’s friend Red, who was snotty to Ryan at their previous meeting (chronicled in the prior title). When summer’s ended and school starts, Ryan has many memories to share with class, and soon she has a new little sister as well. Ryan continues to be an engaging heroine, with a creative streak and a take-charge attitude that believably can serve her or hurt her. The camp plot offers plenty of camp-style fun and also some authentic growth in Ryan’s relationship with Red, without completely redeeming Red’s tendency to be self-serving. Mata’s scratchy, ebullient monochromatic vignettes are perfect accompaniments to Ryan’s energetic adventures. While new readers will find pleasure here, it’ll be Ryan’s existing fans who will understand the backstory and revel in watching their girl find her feet in new situations.