Gr 2–5—Miles and his class are set to go ice skating on a field trip to learn about physics. But Miles is distracted by
things happening at home. Chapter book readers will love the mixture of science and sports, as well as the
highlighting of Black history.

Recommended Ages: Gr. 2-4

Plot Summary: Miles and his classmates are very exciting to be going to the ice skating rink for a physics field trip. Miles can roller skate but has never been ice skating. His best friend RJ has been before and makes a bet that Miles will fall down. Miles isn't sure -- he knows his roller skating will help him and he doesn't like the idea of a bet, but he takes it anyway. The loser will have to put a sign on their backpacks. Now, RJ is doing nothing but talking trash about Miles losing the bet. It's worrying Miles a little bit, but not as much as thinking about his Nana moving out of his house! What can he do to keep her around? Will Miles keep the bet with RJ? Who will win?

Setting:

Characters:
Miles Lewis -
Momma -
Dad - Black history professor, makes Miles look stuff up on his own
Nana - lives with Miles and his parents

Recurring Themes: Black pride, Black history, friendship, betting, family

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: For a formulaic fiction book for this age group, the book is pretty good. I like the double plot problem, I like the authentic language between characters, especially at the beginning, and I like the character is willing to do the right thing at the end. However, I prefer longer books with more to discuss.

Genre: realistic fiction

Pacing: fast - 1/2 or full page picture on each page, larger font, shorter story
Characters: Miles and RJ are as developed as possible
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

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. ( )

Miles and his classmates eagerly anticipate a field trip to the ice rink to learn about physics, but when RJ bets that Miles will wipe out on the ice, it puts a dent in Miles' enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Miles suspects his beloved grandmother is planning to move out of the family's home. Then Miles' dad tells him about Black hockey player Willie O'Ree and he looks at ice skating in a whole new way. A science-loving Black boy who also appreciates history? More of this, please! ( )

A first-time ice skater frets about an upcoming field trip to the rink. When Miles’ friend RJ bets that Miles can’t skate without falling, Miles reluctantly accepts the challenge. After school, Miles learns that his nana, who lives with his family, was an ice skater when she was young; she tells him that though, as a Black woman, she didn’t see many skaters who looked like her on TV, she wanted to change that. At dinner, his father, a Black history professor, tells Miles about Willie O’Ree, the first Black man to enter the National Hockey League, and Miles researches O’Ree online. But soon Miles’ world begins to spiral out of control—a rift grows between him and RJ over the bet, and when he sees flyers for luxury apartments for seniors, he fears that Nana is thinking of moving. Readers of Lyons’ Jada Jones books will recognize her friend Miles in this new series spinoff. Miles is a smart, sensitive character in an all-too-relatable scenario: navigating friendship and learning to speak up for himself. Miles’ tightknit, multigenerational family exudes warmth, and Lyons deftly folds in information on a little-discussed but important Black trailblazing athlete. Bringing to life the text are black-and-white illustrations with pops of blue. Miles and his family are Black. A thoughtful protagonist makes his series debut; sports lovers and the athletic-averse alike will be charmed. (biographical information about Willie O’Ree) (Chapter book. 6-8)