Third Place Books welcomes New York Times bestselling author Renée Watson—author of the NAACP Image Award-nominated Harlem’s Little Blackbird—to our Ravenna store! Watson will be discussing the newest installment in young Ryan Hart's story, Ways to Share Joy. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required in advance.
Copies of Ways to Share Joy and more books by Watson will be available for purchase at the store. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!
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for this in-person event
Award-winning author Renée Watson continues her charming Ramona-esque series starring spirited Ryan Hart and her loving family.
Ryan Hart is caught in the middle. She has an older brother and a baby sister, and she’s in a friendship tug-of-war with KiKi and Amanda who are both vying to be her best best friend. With all that’s going on, Ryan still finds a way to see the bright side of things. But it’s terribly hard to be cheery when her brother, Ray, pulls a prank and ruins her latest baking project. And who can think about being kind to a classmate who is relentless with his teasing? But Ryan is determined not to let anything ruin her mood, and to find a way to always find a way to share her bright spirit.
With more challenges, change, and more lessons learned, book three of the Ryan Hart Series has even more humor, more love, and more sunshine.
“Realistic snapshots of love in action are peppered with funny mishaps and small mistakes, all of which add up to an uplifting, reassuring read.”
—Booklist, starred review
“Relatable and inspirational. A young optimistic Black girl, Watson’s irresistible Ryan models how to navigate a changing world with resilience, kindness, and love, all of which are reflected in Mata’s delightful illustrations. A fabulous purchase that celebrates the awesome power of love, kindness, and being true to oneself.”
—School Library Journal, starred review
“Intermittently funny, frustrating, and touching. . . . 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!”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Renée Watson is a New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include Ways to Make Sunshine, Ways to Grow Love, Some Places More Than Others, Love is a Revolution, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, cowritten with Ilyasah Shabazz, and Watch Us Rise, cowritten with Ellen Hagan, as well as two acclaimed picture books: A Place Where Hurricanes Happen and Harlem’s Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée splits her time between Portland, Oregon and New York City. www.reneewatson.net; @harlemportland (Instagram); @reneewauthor (Twitter). (Photo credit: Shawnte Sims)
Want a signed edition of the featured book, but can't make it to the event? Order through our website or over the phone, and write your request for a signature or personalization in the comments field at checkout. Please call the hosting store if you're placing your order within 24 hours of the event.
Third Place Books Events Code of Conduct: Third Place Books is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of event attendees and guest authors, during both online and in-store events. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to refrain from engaging in inappropriate behavior and harassment of any kind throughout the course of this event (i.e. racial slurs, profanity, hate speech, spam comments, etc.). Please note that any participants who engage in inappropriate behavior or harassment of any kind will be immediately ejected from the event.
For media inquiries, access inquiries, or questions about our Covid-19 policies, please email events@thirdplacebooks.com or call our Lake Forest Park store at (206) 366-3311.
