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Jada Jones #4
Dancing Queen
Jada Jones is back for the fourth book of this popular, celebrated series perfect for STEM fans!
When the student council decides to host a dance as their next fundraiser, Jada feels nervous and queasy. She's excited to give back, but she can't dance! Still, she's determined to help the cause and show she cares. She practices her moves, gets help from friends, and even does research at the library to prepare--but will it be enough to help her create change in her community?
When the student council decides to host a dance as their next fundraiser, Jada feels nervous and queasy. She's excited to give back, but she can't dance! Still, she's determined to help the cause and show she cares. She practices her moves, gets help from friends, and even does research at the library to prepare--but will it be enough to help her create change in her community?
96 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2019
8 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Starling Lyons
52 books114 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 27, 2024
I'm really liking this series. In this book the kids work together to do a Caring campaign. The goal is to have everyone be kinder to other people, but also to get gently used coats and money for warm clothes. As a part of student council,Jada and Miles see a need and plan a school dance to raise money. There is a pledge for different dances and Jada really doesn't like to dance in front of people but he overcomes her fears for the sake of others.
November 27, 2019
Jada Jones is back for the fourth book.
This time the Student Council faces a challenge to share kindness and raise money for fellow students who need winter coats. They hold a dance, coat drive and a Kindness Week.
Jada faces the need face to face when she realizes a new friend is one of those who needs a coat. She also struggles as she is not a good dancer. She overcomes her fear and takes on the dance challenge with the help from her new friend, Hallie.
Positive messages throughout - be kind; try new things; don't worry about making mistakes.
This time the Student Council faces a challenge to share kindness and raise money for fellow students who need winter coats. They hold a dance, coat drive and a Kindness Week.
Jada faces the need face to face when she realizes a new friend is one of those who needs a coat. She also struggles as she is not a good dancer. She overcomes her fear and takes on the dance challenge with the help from her new friend, Hallie.
Positive messages throughout - be kind; try new things; don't worry about making mistakes.
October 5, 2019
Kindness is catchy
June 12, 2021
Although this is part of a series, the book certainly stands along and stands out! It is so refreshing and realistic to see Black middle class kids as the main book characters-- with goals, problems, and finding ways to solve the problems. Kids who are ready for chapter books will enjoy reading this series. The message about helping others and working together comes through loud and strong through the story.
I particularly loved how the author incorporated some culture and history of Black Americas into the story.
I particularly loved how the author incorporated some culture and history of Black Americas into the story.
April 6, 2019
I received this ARC from the publisher through SLJ's Middle Grade Magic Virtual Conference in exchange for an honest review. This book was fine. Is a sweet story of Jada who as a student council member reads a note in the suggestion box that makes her aware that some kids in her school don't have the money for new coats. The book is geared toward lower readers than would typically be considered "middle grade." To say that it's for fans of STEM is a bit of a reach.
December 30, 2019
“Don’t worry about what everybody else is doing. Just do you.”
Jada is a member of the student council and this time they are working to raise money for coats for students who need them. They plan a week of kindness that culminates in a dance to help raise money and get coat donations. But Jada is not happy about this because she can’t dance and she’s embarrassed. But she knows how important this fund raising is.
Jada is a member of the student council and this time they are working to raise money for coats for students who need them. They plan a week of kindness that culminates in a dance to help raise money and get coat donations. But Jada is not happy about this because she can’t dance and she’s embarrassed. But she knows how important this fund raising is.
March 31, 2020
3/31/2020 ~ Quirky character having a hard time hearing the advice to "just do you." But don't so many of us have that concern about how we might appear to others? In this volume, the characters plan a dance-off to purchase coats for those in need.
I love the homage to Jackie Woodson's Each Kindness and the posters of African American leaders.
I love the homage to Jackie Woodson's Each Kindness and the posters of African American leaders.
May 9, 2021
This school-based story in realistic style has Jada & her friends in Student Council raising money for warm coats & other supplies for members of their community, by soliciting donations for a dance contest.
The reading level is solidly 2nd-3rd grade, and the publisher says it's for ages 6 to 8 on the back-cover.
Am I wrong to think that most kids who attend a school that has a Student Council that undertakes self-directed fundraising and hosts a dance with a DJ to run a contest will be older than 8 years?
If my guess is correct, the age reader who will most match the large font, cartoon-style illustrations, & short, predictable, & very tidy story arc will perhaps look up to kids who do these activities but won't realistically see themselves in those activities.
I don't know if that's a bad or good thing for the readers! But it's something to think about when you share it with kids.
It's also possible that a 9-12 year old who reads below grade level is a better audience for this book.
The reading level is solidly 2nd-3rd grade, and the publisher says it's for ages 6 to 8 on the back-cover.
Am I wrong to think that most kids who attend a school that has a Student Council that undertakes self-directed fundraising and hosts a dance with a DJ to run a contest will be older than 8 years?
If my guess is correct, the age reader who will most match the large font, cartoon-style illustrations, & short, predictable, & very tidy story arc will perhaps look up to kids who do these activities but won't realistically see themselves in those activities.
I don't know if that's a bad or good thing for the readers! But it's something to think about when you share it with kids.
It's also possible that a 9-12 year old who reads below grade level is a better audience for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2019
Jada has to overcome her fear of looking foolish when she participates in a Ten-Dance Challenge to raise money for "Coats for Caring". An adequate, rather predictable short chapter book for 2nd-3rd graders.
Review based on an ARC through NetGalley.
Review based on an ARC through NetGalley.
October 24, 2020
While there is nothing wrong with this book, I wouldn’t recommend it to people who are very high readers. This book seems better for early-readers are beginners. The storyline does get kind of boring from time to time, but overall and okay book.
January 10, 2024
Another great Jada Jones book! I love the message of kindness and pushing past your comfort zone!
Review from my 7 year old: I’m a dancer. I love to dance. I liked how she was dancing and moving. She had fun but she was a little scared. I think that is a good choice to give other people coats.
Review from my 7 year old: I’m a dancer. I love to dance. I liked how she was dancing and moving. She had fun but she was a little scared. I think that is a good choice to give other people coats.
July 23, 2024
Jada’s rules at the end are perfect for anyone to follow at any age. However, the fourth book in this series loses one star, unlike the others that earned three, because it was just so predictable. Still a good series overall, especially for black pre teens.
August 18, 2019
Not much science on this one but lots of Jada's big heart. A great read.
January 7, 2020
My kids love this series!
November 21, 2020
Jada Jones is giving back in this one and I love it. This shirt read is one that can lead to a great discussion on doing for others, with nothing in return intended. Great story. Up next, Sleepover.
November 25, 2021
Liked this one quite a bit.
April 22, 2019
Jada is on Council Crew at school and she’s excited to give back When a note gets dropped in the suggestion box asking for a new winter coat for the cold weather, the council decides to have a school dance to raise the money. Jada is nervous, however, because she can’t dance. Can the council raise enough money to provide coats for all those in need? Can Jada overcome her fear of dancing in public to support the Council Crew and those in need? This is a short, fun easy read. The characters are likable, the plot is engaging. Fans of realistic fiction, dancing, and doing good will enjoy reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews