From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spinoff series perfect for STEM fans! Miles Lewis has been waiting forever to be part of a city-wide science competition. Now his dream is finally coming true, and he's even part of an all-star team that includes his good friend, Jada. He should be in his element, so he can't seem to figure out why he feels like the weak link instead. While everyone else is rocking the project, Miles keeps messing up, and the team bickers and loses momentum. Miles is filled with self-doubt, and he has to wonder: Is he really a whiz at science, or is he actually a flop? 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 Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Younger Readers selection! "An honest, inspiring STEM-focused story starring an incredibly relatable future scientist." — 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 Second Chance You know it’s science fair time when you see posters in the hallway showing kids with cool projects and people looking amazed. Erupting volcanoes. Soda bottle tornadoes. Bouncy eggs. As I checked out the pictures, a grin stretched across my face. Soon I wasn’t in the hallway of Brookside Elementary anymore. I could see myself onstage saying thank you as someone handed me a golden medal. Usually, I didn’t care about winning. But this was different. This was my do-over. I had to get it right. Last year, I created a switch that controlled the flow of electricity and turned a light bulb on and off. I couldn’t wait to set it up and let my friends try it out. Everybody said I was gonna get one of the spots to represent our school in the regional competition. But as I walked around, I saw other projects that put mine to shame. I cheered for the winners, but walked away knowing I could have done better. I promised myself I would try harder this year. I was a future scientist—time to show it. “What’s up, Miles?” my best friend RJ said. I almost forgot he was standing next to me. “You’re staring at that poster like it’s a puzzle you got to figure out. You coming to class?” “Yeah,” I said. “Just thinking about the science fair. I’m going to be ready.” We entered Miss Taylor’s sunny classroom and tucked our backpacks in our cubbies. My friend Jada was putting hers away, too. Jada and I were in science club together. I knew she would be as psyched as I was about the fair. “You know what time it is?” I asked. “Yep,” she said, her braids and beads bouncing as she nodded. “Science fair. I want to do something really special. I’m getting started on my project as soon as I get home.” “I know you’ll come up with something great.” “You will, too,” Jada replied. “Got any ideas?” “Not yet.” As we headed to our seats, I wondered what I might do. It had to be something interesting and creative that would wow the judges. What science question could I ask and investigate? After the announcements, Miss Taylor hit the chime that called us to the orange-and-blue rug for our morning meeting. Chirr. “