| By Dathan Kazsuk |
Raleigh children’s author Kelly Starling Lyons—known for her Jada Jones books and Ty’s Travels picture books—has a new chapter in her beloved Miles Lewis series arriving this fall. Miles Lewis #6: Top Chef serves up a sweet, STEM-flavored story for early readers on Tuesday, November 4 via Penguin Workshop.
In Top Chef, fourth-grader Miles teams up with his buddy RJ for the school bake sale. Miles is sure Nana’s tea cakes can bring home the prize, but RJ’s in it for more than bragging rights—he hopes the winnings can replace a treasured keepsake he accidentally broke. What follows is a warm, high-energy tale that blends kitchen science with big feelings. There are baking mishaps, honest conversations, and the kind of teamwork that shows how adding one special ingredient—love—can change the recipe entirely.
Illustrator Wayne C. Spencer—a North Carolina native now based in Florida— returns with lively two-color art that keeps the action moving and the humor front and center for readers ages 6–8.
The Miles Lewis universe has always been as curious as it is compassionate, and Top Chef stays true to that mission. Lyons threads in approachable STEM ideas—think mixing, measuring, and the why behind what happens in the oven—without slowing the pace.
Parents and teachers will recognize the series’ knack for sneaking learning into a story that kids actually want to read, while young bakers will see themselves in Miles’ desire to get it right and RJ’s determination to make things right. It’s a smart pick for classroom shelves, book club snack nights, or a Saturday kitchen experiment with the family.
If you’re new to the series, you’re in good hands. Previous entries have earned nods from major reviewers: King of the Ice landed on School Library Journal’s Best Chapter Books of the Year and Chicago Public Library’s Best Fiction for Younger Readers lists, while Matchmaker drew a starred School Library Journal
review for pairing STEM fun with a lesson in giving back. Kirkus Reviews has praised the books for relatable characters and inspiring, science-forward storytelling. Those accolades hint at what makes Miles such a winning lead—he’s curious, kind, and never afraid to learn from a mistake.
Lyons, who calls Raleigh home, continues to center community, culture, and heart in her work. That local connection makes Top Chef an easy recommendation for Triangle families looking to support a hometown author whose stories reflect everyday victories and challenges with warmth and humor. It’s also a reminder of how vibrant our children’s lit scene is here—one that celebrates curiosity and compassion as much as accomplishment.
Miles Lewis #6: Top Chef publishes on November 4 in hardcover ($16.99). For families building early reading confidence—or anyone with a young chef in the house—this new installment is a sweet addition to the stack.
