Pet Sitter #5

Miles Lewis #5

by Kelly Starling Lyons, Wayne Spencer (illustrator)

From the award-winning author of the Jada Jones chapter books comes an illustrated spin-off series perfect for STEM fans!

When Miles and his classmates welcome a few frogs as class pets, it's a reminder that what he really wants more than anything is a dog to call his own. But his parents don't think he's ready, and his attempts to show them that he truly can care for critters all end in disaster. Can Miles pull it together and prove that he's responsible enough for a pet once and for all?

96 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2025

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

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

In this latest installment of this early chapter book series, Miles is envious of the other students in his class. Ms. Taylor has gotten three frogs for the classroom, and at circle time asks the children to share about their own pets. Everyone seems to have one but Miles. He had asked his parents to consider getting a dog, and they agreed to think about it if he could be more conscientious about his chores around the house, which he was not. When his great aunt Dee plans to go away for the weekend, Miles sees a golden opportunity in watching her dog, Mo. He can hang out with the dog AND prove to his parents that he is responsible. He forgets to take Mo out because he is busy with other things, and there are some indoor accidents. He also gets the opportunity to watch his friend RJ's hamster Herbie, but he doesn't put the lif on the cage and Herbie gets out. Luckily, the hamster is found, but Miles realizes that he might not yet be ready for a pet. He does get another opportunity to watch Mo, and does learn a bit about what makes a responsible pet owner.

I enjoyed Lyons' note at the end that talked about her own pets, and acknowledged that pet ownership is not always easy. Most books for young readers end with children who want pets getting them, but that's not always the reality. As much as I love my dog, he can be a lot of work! It's good to offer a realistic portrayal of this experience to young readers.

Spencer's two color illustrations that are spread throughout are fun, especially since we get to see all of the pets! This has a larger font, which makes it perfect for readers of other early chapter books like English's Carver Chronicles, Mills' Franklin School Friends, or Dillard's J.D. and the Barber Battle.

Miles' father is a professor of African American history, so it's fun to see the historical facts and brief biographies of famous people spread throughout these. I'm a huge fan of early chapter book series, since they can offer readers a familiar and comforting face, and encourage them to continue reading books. The nice thing about Miles' portrayal is that while he is clearly in elementary school, both his attitude and his adventures are also interesting to emerging middle school readers who might struggle with longer books. I always look forward to his new adventures.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles Lewis wants a dog really badly. After participating with his class in the arrival of some class pets, he's inspired to prove to his parents that he's ready to get a pet of his own. But when his attempts don't go so well, he wonders if he's truly ready after all. This enjoyable early chapter book presents young readers with a relatable story about a boy and his desire for a pet. Despite Miles's efforts, he discovers that being a responsible pet owner is more work than expected and mishaps are bound to occur. The ending showed progress towards his goal and a reminder that persistence is often required to get where one wants to go. Blue and gray illustrations throughout the book highlight Miles' efforts and his family and friends. The books theme of persistence is also highlighted through examples of real-life people who worked to achieve their own goals. An realistic tale that young readers will be able to relate to in many ways.

[Jacqui]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This well written beginning chapter book features Miles Lewis, an only child of a father professor of Black History and a techie mother, who both work at the same university. Miles' grandmother also lives with them. Essentially she is a third parent. Miles attends a STEM school. Each installment ends with five facts about important people and events. I like how his father told him some things but most of the time told him to look it up.

In this installment, Miles’s class gets a class pet or pets, three African dwarf frogs. This spurs a unit on pets. Well Miles wants a dog. He tries to take care of his aunt’s dog but it doesn’t go well. He also has a mishap with his friend’s hamster. Will Miles ever be allowed to get a pet?

I took Mile’s father’s advice and looked up these people. Boy, did I learn a lot. Miles’s Five Facts in this novel was about scientists.
Charles Henry Tanner was an American zoologist, entomologist, educator, and comparative psychologist, known for his studies on the behavior of insects, particularly bees and ants. Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner The story of Charles Henry Turner, by Janice Harrington, is a kid friendly read. He was the first Black entomologist — a scientist who studies bugs — is told in this fascinating book for young readers.
Roger Arliner Young was an American scientist of zoology, biology, and marine biology. She was the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology.
Craig Saffoe is the curator at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Saffoe has worked at the Zoo for over 20 years. Starting as an intern in 1994, he worked his way up to animal keeper, biologist and now curator. Saffoe now leads a team that has been incredibly successful at breeding large carnivores–boasting multiple successful litters of lions, tigers and bears (Andean) ... oh my!
“Nothing beats a can’t but a try.”