Ways to Make Sunshine

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2020

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-7

Chapters 8-11

Chapters 12-15

Chapters 16-19

Chapters 20-23

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Chapters 1-3Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Summary: “The Girl Who Could Be King”

Protagonist Ryan Hart introduces herself by explaining that her regular fourth-grade classroom teacher is absent, and that the substitute teacher is confused when she does roll call and Ryan answers. A classmate of Ryan’s, Brandon, explains that Ryan has a “boy’s name” (3) and Ryan retorts that her name is her own and that “Ryan means ‘king’ and that means I am a leader–” (3) before the substitute cuts her off.

Brandon continues to bother Ryan, teasing her that her last name, Hart, is “spelled wrong” (4), and while Ryan rolls her eyes at Brandon, she remembers that her mother and father always encourage her and her brother, Raymond, to “be who we named you to be” (4-5) and live up to her name. Ryan chooses to be a leader and ignores Brandon. Ryan explains that Raymond’s name means “protector” but that mostly Raymond just annoys her.

At recess, Brandon challenges Ryan to a race, and bets her a package of green apple Jolly Ranchers that she cannot beat him. Feeling like she has to prove herself, Ryan agrees, but says that if she wins Brandon has to buy her a Twix instead of Jolly Ranchers. They begin racing, and Brandon pulls slightly ahead. Ryan pushes herself and surpasses Brandon, but just as she is about to reach the finish line she falls and scrapes her knee. Brandon rushes past Ryan on the ground and claims victory. Ryan realizes that she tripped over her shoelaces and concedes to Brandon. Ryan’s father notices her ripped jeans when he picks her up after school. On the way home, Ryan asks to stop at the store and buys a pack of Jolly Ranchers for Brandon, and a Twix bar for herself.

Chapter 2 Summary: “The Thing About Ice Cream”

At home, Ryan suspects something is up because her parents have set up bowls and spoons for ice cream before dinner. Ryan and Ray exchange a look and Ray asks their parents what is wrong. Their father explains that they are breaking their “no-dessert-before-dinner rule” (12) because they are celebrating some good news: the Harts will be moving to a new house.

Ryan’s father reveals that he recently got a new job after losing his job at the post office that he held for fifteen years. The problem is that this new job pays less than his earlier job, so the family will need to make some adjustments. Ryan begins to cry, not wanting to move, and her mother comforts her, assuring her that “It’s okay to be sad. Change is scary” (14). Trying to lighten the mood, Ryan’s father explains that she and Ray will no longer have to share a room in the new house. He also reveals that they will be able to walk to school now since their new house will be closer, and that since he will be working the midnight shift, he will not be home to drive them to school anymore. This news also upsets Ryan as she likes her dad driving them to school. Ryan’s mother explains that they will live closer to one of Ryan’s best friends, KiKi, and that the three of them will walk to school together.

While Ray is unperturbed by this news, Ryan anxiously runs through a list of questions in her mind, wondering about all the recent changes facing their family. Sensing her upset, Ryan’s mother reminds her that their family is staying together and that “Home is wherever we go” (16). Ryan looks down at her bowl and sees that her ice cream has melted and thinks that she does not want it anyway. Ryan wonders why her parents had to ruin her favorite dessert with their news and thinks about the fact that no matter how great ice cream is, it cannot take away the sadness she feels.

Chapter 3 Summary: “Saying Goodbye”

The Hart family piles into their Toyota for one last ride, as they plan to sell the car in order to save money. As they drive, Ryan and Ray play a game where they tag each other whenever they see a license plate that is not from Oregon. The siblings start bickering and their father and mother scold them when Ray pulls Ryan’s hair, and she pushes him back.

The family stops at the river and looks at the birds through binoculars. Ray looks out for Ryan when she jumps up on a big rock in order to get a closer look at a bald eagle. On the way home, Ryan chooses a song she knows Ray wants to listen to on the radio. When they arrive home, everyone except Ryan gets out of the car. Ryan stays seated a little longer, reminiscing about all the memories their family has had in the car over the years, and Ryan’s mother watches her from the front doorway. As Ryan gets out of the car and walks into the house, she turns around and waves goodbye to the car.

Chapters 1-3 Analysis

In these first chapters, the narrative sets up the main points of conflict that will affect protagonist Ryan Hart and her family for the duration of the text. The most important of these changes is that Ryan learns her family will be moving to a new house. The Hart family’s financial situation initiates their move. When Ryan asks her mother why they cannot buy the house from their landlord, her brother Ray interjects: “Ryan, we can’t afford to buy a house. Dad is not working anymore. Stop asking so many questions. They told us things might change” (13). As the older sibling, Ray's parents often task Ray with looking out for Ryan, which creates tension between the siblings. In this quote, he illustrates his authority over her as the older sibling, and also reveals that the Hart family currently has financial struggles.

The title of the text, Ways to Make Sunshine, lends insight to each plot element. In these first chapters, Ryan and her family experience moments of turbulence or challenge which Ryan will need to learn to navigate and make the best of. Despite the challenges facing Ryan and her family, the narrative sets up the loving foundations of the Hart family. Even though Ryan is upset and nervous about the changes coming her way, her mother offers support and understanding: “Mom squeeze my hand. ‘It’s okay to be sad. Change is scary’” (14). Both Mr. and Mrs. Hart have elevated expectations for Ryan and Ray even though they validate their emotions.

Ryan illustrates this in the way she carries herself. When questioned by a school substitute and a classmate about her name being “a boy’s name” (3), Ryan responds with confidence that stems from the way her parents have raised her: “I do not have a boy’s name. I have my name. My name is Ryan and Ryan means ‘king’ and that means I am a leader–” (3). This quote illustrates the self-assuredness Ryan’s parents have instilled in her. By giving her a strong name with a powerful meaning, as well as their reminders to “Be who we named you to be” (4-5), Ryan’s parents have raised her to believe in her own power and worth. Situations Ryan encounters throughout the story will challenge her sense of self and confidence, but by relying on the foundations laid for her by her parents Ryan can aspire to be who her parents named her to be.