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Miles Lewis #1
King of the Ice
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 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?
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 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?
96 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2022
About the author
Kelly Starling Lyons
54 books109 followersKelly Starling Lyons is an award-winning author whose 17 titles for children span easy readers, picture books, chapter books, fiction, nonfiction, and series. For more than a decade, Lyons has been creating inspiring books that center Black heroes, celebrate family, friendship and heritage and show all children the storyteller they hold inside. Her acclaimed titles include Going Down Home with Daddy, Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations, Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon, Tiara's Hat Parade and the Jada Jones chapter book series. Her new easy reader series with illustrator Nina Mata, Ty's Travels, debuts September 1. The first book, All Aboard, earned a starred Kirkus review.
Lyons counts Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, Best of the Year and state award lists, Junior Library Guild selections, a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor among the accolades her books have received. Two of her books, Hope's Gift and Going Down Home with Daddy, have represented the states of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively, at the National Book Festival's Parade of the States.
Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a team dedicated to raising awareness of Black children's book creators, a Raleigh-Durham co-ambassador for The Authors Guild, and a teaching artist who visits schools, libraries, conferences and festivals nationwide. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and children where she facilitates a book club for boys that salutes literary treasures from Black authors and illustrators of today and the past. Learn more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.
Lyons counts Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, Best of the Year and state award lists, Junior Library Guild selections, a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor among the accolades her books have received. Two of her books, Hope's Gift and Going Down Home with Daddy, have represented the states of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively, at the National Book Festival's Parade of the States.
Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a team dedicated to raising awareness of Black children's book creators, a Raleigh-Durham co-ambassador for The Authors Guild, and a teaching artist who visits schools, libraries, conferences and festivals nationwide. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and children where she facilitates a book club for boys that salutes literary treasures from Black authors and illustrators of today and the past. Learn more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 1, 2022
A super fast-paced story about an athlete that tries ice-skating for the first time with some Black history mixed in.
March 24, 2024
Miles struggles with a competitive friend who challenges/bets him to not fall on his first ice skating trip. He also worries that his grandma wants to move out and is looking for a senior community to move to. A little background info on black history in ice hockey, which was a good addition.
November 8, 2023
This "Jada Jones" spin-off series focuses on Jada's friend, Miles Lewis, who lives with his parents and grandmother and loves science. When a schoolmate challenges Miles to a friendly competition that plays out on a field trip to the ice skating rink, Miles reluctantly accepts. But as the field trip nears, anxiety about the bet strains their friendship. At home, Miles worries that his beloved grandmother might be moving out and searches for ways to convince her to stay.
This chapter book includes cartoon-style illustrations and oversized text, making it a good choice for readers in grades 1-3. Lyons rounds out the warm and realistic story with a subplot that incorporates a bit of Black history.
This chapter book includes cartoon-style illustrations and oversized text, making it a good choice for readers in grades 1-3. Lyons rounds out the warm and realistic story with a subplot that incorporates a bit of Black history.
June 4, 2023
Easy reader. BIPOC. Ice skating.
Story: Miles' third grade class is taking a field trip to go ice skating. Miles has never ice skated and his friend challenges him to a bet that he will fall.
Language: contemporary, USA (refers to baseball hall of fame and American sports stars), school and home.
Characters: Miles, bf, black history teacher dad, mom, Nana.
Great! Ordinary school kids and life with a small lesson on a black ice hockey star. Nice side plot involving Nana. Hope we see more of Miles.
Story: Miles' third grade class is taking a field trip to go ice skating. Miles has never ice skated and his friend challenges him to a bet that he will fall.
Language: contemporary, USA (refers to baseball hall of fame and American sports stars), school and home.
Characters: Miles, bf, black history teacher dad, mom, Nana.
Great! Ordinary school kids and life with a small lesson on a black ice hockey star. Nice side plot involving Nana. Hope we see more of Miles.
May 18, 2023
There's a lot packed into this book -- Black excellence, love for grandma, anxiety, dealing with friendship dynamics as well as sports (ice skating) and science. I love that the physics teacher is the one planning a field trip to the ice rink. I love that when Miles' friend pressures him into a bet, he eventually finds a way to stand his ground and set some friendship boundaries without losing the friend. I love how close he is with his grandma. Its a great story.
April 15, 2024
2025 Bluestem nominee. I am constantly looking for strong male protagonists where my biracial boys can see themselves as similar. Miles Lewis is one! If the pictures weren’t there, this could be any boy. His race has little to do with the story. He does research Willie O’Ree, the first African American to play in the NHL and may aspire to be like him. Otherwise, he’s a 4th grader who enjoys science and sports, who has college professor parents, and who has strong family values.
July 17, 2023
Solid for what it does - intergenerational story, some STEM, some SEL with a likeable main character. A little thinner than others in this category, but might pick up some nuance as the series progresses.
October 22, 2023
I finished in 10 minutes! Which means my kids might actually make it to the end in less than two weeks. Realistic portrayal of 4th-grade thoughts and problems with a Black protagonist; I am adding the series to my wishlist. And adding an extra star for being illustrated but not a graphic novel.
March 12, 2024
I have a hard time with the claim "for fans of STEM". There was like one paragraph that mentions how it's hard to stop on ice because of friction. I'm clearly not the intended audience, but I also can't imagine kids getting excited to read these books over and over again.
August 2, 2022
Super cute. There's science, Black history, and a loving family. Great stuff.
August 17, 2022
Amazing! Nothing wrong. I would recommend it to other people.
December 20, 2022
4 stars for this series starter. Miles is a fully developed character who looks like he'll be growing realistically with each entry in the series.
January 30, 2023
I enjoyed this even more than the Jada Jones series. Miles is smart and kind. I like the familial relationships and the inclusion of Black History.
April 2, 2023
It is short and sweet with great characters and illustrations.
October 29, 2023
This was so lovely, I loved Miles and his love of science and family!! Also, brilliant having some real history woven in!!
November 14, 2023
KCR book for Nov.
November 25, 2023
I appreciated the history lesson. Otherwise, this chapter book is perfectly fine but didn't compel me to read more.
January 21, 2024
Well written, fast read. I’m so glad kids have such a huge selection of books to choose from nowadays ❤️
January 28, 2024
I liked when Miles skated on ice.
January 31, 2024
Boys are weird. The grandma is cool. Meh.
March 19, 2024
Hockessin Library 5 & 6 year old book group - March 2024
March 26, 2024
Hockessin Library - 5 & 6 Year Old Book Group - March 2024
May 20, 2024
I found Miles #1 to be better than Jada #1
November 8, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus or Netgalley
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July 18, 2023Kelly Starling Lyons spins off her popular Jada Jones series by focusing on fourth grader Miles Lewis, his professor parents, and live-in grandmother. In this series starter, Miles and his best friend RJ struggle with mutual jealousy over a field trip to an ice skating rink; meanwhile, Miles' life is further complicated when he fears his grandmother might be finding a place of her own. Relatable relationship issue, real-life kid vernacular, and a smattering of Black History combine for an enjoyable read.
Number 13
Number 13
September 27, 2022
King of the Ice by Kelly Starling Lyons offers something for every kind of reader. The plot involves our protagonist, Miles Lewis, going ice skating for the first time. You may remember Miles as a character in Lyon's great Jada Jones series. As King of the Ice unfolds, Miles receives encouragement from friends and family members who introduce Miles to others who've found joy in the activity. Lyons does a great job of weaving a tale featuring positive family dynamics throughout. King of the Ice delivers a fun tale about Miles' debut on the ice.
March 12, 2023
(I didn't realize this is a spin-off series of Jada Jones. Miles in another kid in Jada's class.) Miles loves sports and science, so while he's nervous to try ice-skating for the 1st time, he's already good at rollerskating and likes learning the physics behind how it works. But, his friend RJ has made a bet that Miles will fall down, and the pressure causes him to avoid RJ and not look forward to the field trip. A relatable story about trying new things, friendship, and family while also including a little history about the 1st Black NHL player too! For fans of Yasmin, Mo, and Jada Jones.
September 1, 2022
A great new series featuring Miles from the Jada Jones books. This first book has an ice skating field trip and includes some great background information on Willie O'Ree, the first Black hockey player in the NHL. Highly recommended for grades 2 & up.
August 23, 2022
Miles Lewis is the new series that belongs in all classroom and school libraries!
August 30, 2022
Miles Lewis is an incredible African American young man whose family (grandmother, dad, & mom) encourage him to try something new like ice skating.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews