Mia Mayhem Learns to Fly! Page 2

  I pointed to Eddie’s open window.

  “We’re wasting too much time. I’m going in,” Penn declared.

  “No, that’s really not a good idea,” I said as calmly as possible.

  “Don’t worry. I can check this whole place in a flash!” Penn bragged. Then he took a few steps back, pushed off, and flew into Eddie’s room!

  UGH. Working with this kid sure wasn’t easy. But now that we were a team, there was only one thing to do. I flew through the open window and tumbled right into Eddie, who was gathering extra leashes and treats.

  “Yikes!” Eddie cried. “You said you were going to wait outside!”

  “Oh, I know, but someone was getting antsy,” I said as I shot Penn a sharp look.

  “Well, the dogs aren’t here,” said Eddie. “But I thought we could use some supplies for when we do find them.”

  “Great idea, Eddie!” I exclaimed.

  Penn studied the room, and then he said, “Hey! That’s a pretty good idea. What does your tracker say?”

  Eddie held it up and gave it a wave. “The dogs are on the move!”

  “Then so are we!” said Penn, and he flew out the window.

  I shrugged. “I think he’s really excited about finding the dogs.”

  “Yeah, I can see that,” said Eddie. “I’ll get my bike and meet you outside.”

  I flew back through the window, and a few minutes later, Eddie was out on his mountain bike.

  “According to my tracker, they’re headed across town!” Eddie declared.

  “To cover the most area, let’s split up,” Penn suggested.

  For once, Penn and I agreed on a plan. So we lifted into the air as Eddie raced away on his bike.

  As I glided along weightlessly, I was so relieved. Flying outside was actually totally AWESOME! Especially because the horrible feeling I usually got in my stomach was gone too!

  But then I looked down . . . and that big knot in my stomach came back.

  The next thing I knew, I lost control and almost crashed into a bird! As I took a turn, I flew through an open office building instead, and somehow I created a huge paper tornado! Luckily, no one saw me, and there was an exit on the other side.

  But this time, there was only one place for me to go: straight into a giant tree!

  “Oh, Mia! Are you okay?” Penn asked as he rushed to my side.

  I nodded as I picked leaves from my hair. “I don’t think I can do this, Penn,” I whispered.

  “Well, I think you can,” he said with a smile. “Remember what we learned in class?”

  “Stay balanced and steady,” I replied slowly.

  Penn reached down, grabbed my hands, and helped me up.

  Now, here’s something I wish I’d known before we left: Flying in the real world isn’t the same as flying in a wind tunnel. There are a lot of unexpected things you’ve got to look out for. But the good news is I learned that when a friend is right next to you, even your biggest fears can disappear.

  CHAPTER 8

  EDDIE’S WILD RIDE

  Penn and I zoomed across town. The wind rushing against my face was like nothing I’d ever felt before. The knot in my stomach finally disappeared, and I was able to really look around.

  We passed the post office, the movie theater, and even my favorite ice-cream shop! From up above, everything I knew so well looked completely different.

  When I dove a bit lower, I saw Eddie racing down the street. He easily hopped over a curb, pedaled down a slanted pipe, and skidded past a row of trash cans.

  But then he started to go down a random alley, and I knew he was in trouble. His tracker must have misled him . . . because he was heading straight into a construction site!

  “Look out!” I yelled over the booming noise of giant vehicles.

  Luckily, Eddie heard me just in time. He sped over a mountain of dirt, jumped a set of steel frames, and dodged a huge puddle of wet cement.

  I was so relieved that Eddie was safe . . . but then I heard him scream.

  “AHHHHH!” Eddie cried as a crane hook caught him!

  “Don’t worry, Eddie!” I yelled as I went into another dive.

  I swooped down and grabbed Eddie without his bike. Then I looked over and saw that Penn had caught it.

  Whew! What a close call!

  I’m so glad I’ve gotten used to flying because it looks like even great bike riders could use a pair of superheroes.

  CHAPTER 9

  THE FINAL DESTINATION

  Back on the ground I gave Eddie a huge hug. “Maybe keep your eyes on the road next time?” I suggested.

  He nodded as Penn came flying down with the bike. Right then the alarm on the tracker started going off. “Let’s find these dogs already,” said Penn. “I’ve got to get home soon. Even superheroes can’t be late for dinner.”

  We huddled around Eddie’s device and looked at the map. The red target was heading east, toward one of my favorite places in town.

  “Hey! I know where they’re going!” I yelled. “The park!”

  It was all beginning to make sense. Remember how my cat, Chaos, was leading the pack of dogs? And remember how I said that most cats like to lay in the sun? My cat does too. But here’s the thing: While most cats like to do that from a window, Chaos likes to actually lay outside.

  And if she’s outside, the park is her go-to place because, well, there’s lots of sun, plenty of things to scratch, and a big playground!

  Now that we had a location, it was time to get back off the ground. We decided to meet at the fountain in the park. Eddie handed us the leashes and treats.

  “You’ll get there before me, so I think you’ll need these,” he said.

  Penn took the bag and nodded. “Thanks, Eddie.”

  Then Penn and I lifted up into the sky.

  At the park, I let out a sigh of relief. Pax, Chaos, and the other dogs were really there! The park had been set up for the Downtown Dog Palooza tomorrow . . . and the dogs were running through everything!

  They raced through tents, knocked over all the chairs, and dug through trophy boxes. I spotted one bulldog chewing on a WELCOME banner while a poodle got tangled up in a pile of streamers.

  If we didn’t do something fast, the dog show would be ruined!

  Luckily for Penn and me, there were no people in sight. We just needed to get things under control before anyone saw us!

  So we took the leashes and treats and started flying around. But as expected, a pack of hyper dogs (and a cat) is way too much mayhem—even for a team of two superheroes!

  That’s when I looked over and locked eyes with Penn. “It’s time to use your special trick!” I told him.

  Penn nodded and lifted two fingers to his lips.

  But just as he took a deep breath, a loud whistle that sounded nothing like Penn’s echoed from behind us.

  CHAPTER 10

  THE DREAM TEAM

  When I turned around to see who it was, my jaw dropped to the floor. It was my dad! And unlike Eddie, my dad had seen me in my supersuit before, so he knew it was me.

  I started to wave to Dad, but then I stopped. I realized I was in danger of breaking a major PITS superhero rule! Unless absolutely necessary, it was important to keep our secret identities under wraps. And if I wasn’t careful, Penn could figure out who I was!

  I looked around in a panic, but thankfully, Eddie rode up on his bike, and my dad played it cool.

  “Hi, Eddie, it’s good to see you,” my dad said. “I have been looking for this pack of dogs all day! I never thought they would head to the park. Good thing that they’re all safe.”

  “Well, these dogs escaped from the PI—I mean, we’ve been trying to get them back to you!” I said before Eddie could reply. I laughed nervously as my dad lifted an eyebrow.

  Oh man. I definitely had some explaining to do when I got home.

  But luckily my dad knew exactly what to say.

  “Oh my goodness! Thank you for tracking them,” my dad replied. “But
I could use some help cleaning this up. The setup crew from the clinic already went home.”

  “You got it, sir!” I replied with an awkward salute.

  I shot Eddie a look as he struggled to hold in his laughter.

  Then we split into two teams with a bunch of the dogs. Eddie and Penn fixed the chairs while my dad and I retrieved banners that had blown into the trees. Then we grabbed the streamers and secured them back onto the stage.

  Once we finished, everything looked as good as new.

  And the funny thing is that after all that mayhem, the animals were suddenly on their best behavior! So Penn and Eddie easily secured the leashes while I led Chaos inside her carrier.

  After my dad secured the last dog collar, he stood up and turned to us.

  “Thanks so much, Eddie, and um—” my dad began.

  “Penn Powers, sir!” Penn said.

  “And Mia Mayhem,” I added proudly.

  Then the two of us flew off as Eddie and my dad walked the dogs, and Chaos, back to the clinic.

  The next day at the Downtown Dog Palooza, I walked through all the different stations with Chaos. There were events for best dressed, best ball fetcher, and even best water-skier!

  When I stopped by the pool that was set up for water-skiing, I saw that Pax had won first place!

  I opened the carrier to celebrate . . . but Chaos had struck again!

  I ran around, frantically calling her name. Thankfully, this time, I found her sleeping under a tree!

  So you know how I said that most cats like taking naps? Well, I guess Chaos does too.

  And before she wakes up, here are a few things I’ve learned: For starters, saving the day takes a lot of work. And I couldn’t have done it alone.

  But the good thing is, thanks to the most epic adventure across town, I, Mia Mayhem, can really FLY!

  And I guess the craziest and most obvious lesson of all is that I really need to fix this good ole cat carrier!

  Keep reading for a preview of

  Mia Mayhem vs. The Super Bully

  by

  Kara West

  Oh boy. We’re totally going to lose this soccer game.

  Seriously, it’s not looking good. At this point, I doubt we’ll be able to make a comeback before time runs out. If by some miracle we do score a goal, I definitely need to stay out of it.

  Why? Because here’s the thing: The last time I was on this pitch, I kicked the ball so hard that I accidentally broke the goalpost in half!

  Crazy, right? I know. Weird things happen to me all the time. In fact, all my life I thought I was a super-klutz . . . because no matter how hard I tried to avoid it I always caused a lot of mayhem.

  But here’s the kicker: I found out that I’m not a super-klutz . . . I’m actually just SUPER!

  Like for real!

  I. Mia Macarooney. Am. A. Superhero!

  Ever since I found out, I’ve had to juggle a lot. During the day, I go to Normal Elementary School. But as soon as the school bell rings, I head off to the Program for In Training Superheroes aka the PITS. And at the PITS, I go by MIA MAYHEM!

  It’s been a crazy ride, so I’m glad that some things haven’t changed. Like getting to play soccer with my friends. But now that I’m in the middle of a game we’re about to lose, I have no idea what to do. Especially because my best friend, Eddie, is about to pass the ball . . . to me!

  Oh boy. Here we go.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

  KARA WEST would love to be a superhero, mostly so she could ask squirrels what they’re so nervous about. She lives in Chicago with her own cats, who, unlike Chaos, spend more time sleeping than causing trouble. Thank goodness.

  LEEZA HERNANDEZ has illustrated several books for young readers including New York Times bestselling author John Lithgow’s Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo. Mia Mayhem is her first chapter book series. When Leeza isn’t causing her own mayhem, she’s hiding in her art lair and drawing. Her tabby sidekick, Jaspurrpurr, is usually supernapping close by. If Leeza were granted a superpower, she’d speak and understand any language in the galaxy.

  IntheMiddleBooks.com

  Little Simon

  Simon & Schuster

  New York

  visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids

  Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Kara-West

  Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Leeza-Hernandez

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  LITTLE SIMON

  An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

  1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

  www.SimonandSchuster.com

  First Little Simon hardcover edition December 2018

  Copyright © 2018 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

  Also available in a Little Simon paperback edition

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  LITTLE SIMON is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and associated colophon is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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  Designed by Laura Roode

  Jacket design by Laura Roode

  Jacket illustrations by Leeza Hernandez

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: West, Kara, author. | Hernandez, Leeza, illustrator.

  Title: Mia Mayhem learns to fly! / by Kara West ; illustrated by Leeza Hernandez.

  Description: First Little Simon paperback edition. | New York : Little Simon, 2018. | Series: Mia Mayhem ; 2 | Summary: “With help from her best friend and the super academy’s most talented flier, Mia learns how to fly!”—Provided by publisher.

  Identifiers: LCCN 2018038756 | ISBN 9781534432727 (paperback) | ISBN 9781534432734 (hc) | ISBN 9781534432741 (eBook) | Subjects: | CYAC: Superheroes—Fiction. | Flight—Fiction. | Dogs—Fiction. | Cats—Fiction. | African Americans—Fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General. | JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Chapter Books.

  Classification: LCC PZ7.1.W43684 Ml 2018 | DDC [E]—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018038756