Ways to Make Sunshine

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.