From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spinoff series perfect for STEM fans! Miles Lewis loves science and sports. But when his teacher announces a class field trip to an ice skating rink to learn about physics, he isn't so excited. He's never ice skated before, and his friend RJ won't let him forget it. RJ even challenges him to a bet: If Miles skates without falling, RJ will put a “Miles is the man” sign on his backpack. But if Miles falls, he has to put one on his that says the same about RJ. Miles can barely focus on the bet, though, because he suspects his beloved Nana has plans to move out of his family's house—and that's just too much to bear. Can he keep his cool with all the pressure from RJ while finding a way to make his grandma stay? Gr 2-5-From the author of the "Jada Jones" series comes a new chapter book series set in the same group of friends. Focusing on Jada's friend, Miles Lewis, these titles give readers a look at a confident fourth grade Black boy who lives with his parents and grandmother. Miles enjoys science and being the best at everything he tries. King of the Ice focuses on Miles's first time ice skating during a class field trip. What starts as a friendly competition between Miles and his best friend becomes a much more anxiety-inducing event for Miles. Whiz Kid centers around the common stressor of navigating group projects as the fourth graders head into the school science fair. The books include a sprinkle of Black history, courtesy of Miles's father, a Black history professor. Spencer's cartoon-style illustrations are detailed and warm and add to the plot, which is relatively text-heavy, though it features large print. VERDICT Ideal for growing independent readers, this is highly recommended for fans of "Jada Jones" or Kara West's "Mia Mayhem" series.-Monisha Blairα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. A School Library Journal Best Chapter Book of the Year! A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Younger Readers selection! "A thoughtful protagonist makes his series debut; sports lovers and the athletic-averse alike will be charmed." — Kirkus "Ideal for growing independent readers, this is highly recommended for fans of “Jada Jones” or Kara West’s “Mia Mayhem” series." — School Library Journal Kelly Starling Lyons (she/her) is the award-winning author of the Jada Jones and Ty's Travels series and picture books including Sing a Song: How "Lift Every Voice & Sing" Inspired Generations and Hope's Gift . She lives in North Carolina. Find out more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com Wayne C. Spencer (he/him) is a cartoonist, illustrator, and dinosaur enthusiast. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he nurtured an abiding compulsion to draw characters and tell stories about them. Originally from North Carolina, he currently lives in Florida with two powerful daughters and a mighty wife. Chapter One Game On Skating is serious business in my family. My mom and dad can glide backward, spin in circles, bop to the music. They said the roller rink was the place to be when they were growing up. They love to tell people they met at a spot called Spinning Wheels back in their hometown of Pittsburgh. I know. Kinda corny, but it makes me smile. Me? I like skating okay. But bike riding, that’s my thing. Coasting down a hill with the wind in my face, pumping my legs as I jet down a trail—I’m with that any day. That’s why I sighed at first when my teacher, Miss Taylor, said that our next field trip was going to the rink. My boy RJ caught me. “What’s wrong, Miles?” he whispered. “Nothing,” I said. “I just hoped we were going someplace different.” All around me on the orange-and-blue carpet, my friends cheesed. Jada, Lena, and Simone nudged one another. Carson whispered to Gabi. Soon, our class rumbled with energy like a crowd getting hyped before a big game. Fourth grade already had more field trips than third. I guess skating wasn’t so bad. “Class, class,” Miss Taylor said to settle everyone down. “Yes, yes,” we answered. “I know you’re excited. Let’s go over the details. We’re not going to just any skating rink. We’re going ice-skating. Did you know that skating can teach you a lot about physics?” Did Miss Taylor say physics? I sat up straight. Now we were talking. If there was something I liked as much as riding bikes, it was science and technology. Rock collecting, doing experiments with my chemistry set, building robots, and flying drones. Maybe this field trip would be better than I thought. “Has anyone gone ice-skating before?” Miss Taylor asked. “Gabi and I are on hockey teams,” Carson said. My friend Jada raised her hand. “I went ice-skating with my cousins when we were visiting family in New York City,” she said. “I fell a few times, but I got it by the end.”
