King of the Ice

Miles Lewis #1

by Kelly Starling Lyons, Wayne Spencer (Illustrator)

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?

Genres: Sports, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Family, Friendship

96 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2022

About the author

Kelly 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.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super fast-paced story about an athlete that tries ice-skating for the first time with some Black history mixed in.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Katie Cat Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Tam Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Claire Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles is a kid who is great at sports, but his class is going to do something he’s never done before: ice skating! He juggles a bet with a friend with the suspicion of his grandma leaving home all while learning about Black historical figures like the first Black hockey player in the NHL. The book features several Black characters and is filled with education and heart.

[Sara Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Competitive friends, home-life worries, trying something new and black hockey players to live up to in a realistic fiction story. Miles may be in fourth grade, but the font is large and the language suitable and simple enough for 3rd graders.

[Michael Haley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like to feel good when reading books. Yet what makes me feel great is when the author makes an effort beyond just writing feel-good words and, ya know, TRIES. If Prufock asked if he should dare disturb the universe, Miles Lewis answered “No thanks!”

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute. There's science, Black history, and a loving family. Great stuff.

[T-Rex Slash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Nothing wrong. I would recommend it to other people.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is short and sweet with great characters and illustrations.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so lovely, I loved Miles and his love of science and family!! Also, brilliant having some real history woven in!!

[Amy Seufert · Rating 3 out of 5]

KCR book for Nov.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the history lesson. Otherwise, this chapter book is perfectly fine but didn't compel me to read more.

[Beverly Zearley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, fast read. I’m so glad kids have such a huge selection of books to choose from nowadays ❤️

[Shankar B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when Miles skated on ice.

[Paige Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boys are weird. The grandma is cool. Meh.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockessin Library 5 & 6 year old book group - March 2024

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockessin Library - 5 & 6 Year Old Book Group - March 2024

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Miles #1 to be better than Jada #1

[Kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

90 pages not 96. You got it wrong. I know that cause i just finished the book that i read as a book not as a ebook or audiobook

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun. A nice step up from an early reader.

[Annette Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written book! I liked Miles and could relate to him. I think it's a book worth checking out! And, there are more in the series!

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-paced plot with lots of intricacies - social-emotional, historical, familial. I think this is a super engaging read!

[Mara Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!