Chapter 7 (Pizza Night)

 🗣️ Discuss

• What happened to Ryan’s dinner? How did Ryan turn it into a positive?*

• On page 51, Ryan's mom says "Like we have money to waste…" quietly when she has to throw out the chicken.  Why do you think she says this?  What do you think Ryan feels when she hears it?

• Have you ever tried something new and failed?  What did it feel like to fail?  How did you handle it?

 🍲 Prepare

Ryan accidentally burned a new recipe for rosemary chicken wings.  Be careful when you try the recipe by clicking on the image below.

Chapter 8 (Afro Puffs)

 🗣️ Discuss

• Why did Ryan dread Easter? How was this year going to be different?*

• What does it mean to be beautiful?*

• On page 54, Ryan describes what Easter is really about to her.  Think about a holiday that you or your family celebrates.  What is that holiday really about for you?

• On page 59, Grandma says "How you wear your hair is your choice and no matter what you choose, it's not going to determine if you're beautiful or not.  The only thing that will determine that is how you treat others.  If you are mean to people, if you act ugly toward them, that's what takes your beauty away."  Do you agree or disagree with Grandma?  Why or why not?

▶️ Watch 

On page 56, Grandma says "You are a Black girl and you have Black hair…"  Check out this Oscar winning short film that inspired a picture book called Hair Love.

▶️ Watch 

Ryan and her family are getting ready to celebrate Easter.  Check out this video with 10 facts about Easter!

Chapter 9 (What Easter Means to Me)

🗣️ Discuss

• Describe what happened when Ryan got on stage to give her speech? How did Mom try to make Ryan feel better after her speech?*

• Why do you think Ryan was able to recite her speech in the car?*

• Was there ever a time that you had to stand up and say something in front of other people?  Some people get scared or upset like Ryan or Gary, others enjoy it like Kiki or Ray.  How did you feel or would you feel if you spoke or performed in front of people?

• On page 66 and 67, Ryan says the Sunday school classroom is her favorite "...because of the pictures of brown angels that hang on the wall."  Do you see people that look like or have the same skin color as you in pictures in the places you go?  School, church, stores, home?  How does it make you feel to see or not see people that look like or have the same skin color as you in those places?

 🛠️ Do!

Try memorizing a speech or poem!  If you are feeling it, try reciting it for friends or family. 

▶️ Watch 📣 Listen

On page 69, Ryan says that Kirk Franklin's voice fills the care on the gospel radio station and inspires her to say her speech.  Check out one of his songs in this video. 

Chapter 10 (How to Make a Home)

🗣️ Discuss

• How is their Easter dinner different from past Easter dinners?*

• What can you learn about Amanda from the Easter egg hunt?*

• On page 73, Mom says "Thank you for christening (Definition) our home."  Christen can mean to use for the first time or to name or dedicate.  What is something you have christened?

• On page 76, Ryan says "Mom told me it's people who make a place a home.  Without love, all you have is a house.  Mom is right about so many things."  Who makes the place you live a home?

🎮 Play

Ryan and family do an Easter egg hunt.  Play the Make an Easter Egg game. 

 🍲 Prepare

Ryan makes a carrot cake for the celebration.  Try out making your own with this recipe by clicking the picture below. 

Chapter 11 (Water)

🗣️ Discuss

• Why was Ryan excited about Amanda’s party? Why was she nervous about Amanda’s party?*

• How did Ryan’s hair fit her actions?*

• On page 79, Ryan says "I wonder if I will be the only brown girl" when she is thinking about the slumber party.  Why do you think this is one of her questions?

• Have you ever met a new person and your personalities just don't match like Ryan and Red?  How did you handle it?

• On page 87 Ryan gets really upset.  She decides to be alone in the bathroom.  What do you do when you are upset or have other big feelings?

• On page 88, Ryan says "I think maybe I acted ugly today…" Do you think she is right?  What could she have done differently to act beautiful like her Grandma told her?

 💃🏽🕺🏾Dance

At the slumber party Ryan and her friends play a dancing game.  Check out these guided dances on Gonoodle and get moving! 

 🛠️ Do!

In the pool Ryan's hair gets wet because she is in a breath holding contest.  Check out this list of fun pool games and try one out the next time you are at the pool! 

Chapter 12 (Hannah Wilkerson Has Talent)

🗣️ Discuss

• What does Mom mean when she says, “I want you to be the best for you, not to show off” (p.92)?*

• How does Ryan feel about Hannah Wilkerson? How does it differ from KiKi’s opinion?*

• What was a time that you thought your caregiver (parent) was going to act one way, but they surprised you?

• What was a time you felt jealous of someone else?  What did they have or could do that you wanted or wanted to do?  What did you do about this feeling?

🔎 Investigate

Try out this random talent picker to see your hidden talent! 

Questions with an * borrowed from: 

HCS Reads Program. (n.d.). Ways to Make Sunshine - Chapter Questions. https://sites.google.com/hamiltoncentral.org/hcs-reads/chapter-questions?authuser=0