Threading the Space Needle

By Sean Petrie and Carl Pearce

Jett Ryder has set his sights on the iconic Space Needle in Seattle. He and his best friend Mika want his next freestyle motocross stunt to be the hugest in the history of the sport. But figuring out the trick is tough—the Space Needle is way too tall to jump! Then Jett and Mika realize that the answer is through, not over. Can Jett take motocross to the next level as he tries to literally thread the Needle?

Get set . . . for Jett! Jett Ryder is the biggest name in freestyle motocross stunts. Not only can he pull off the biggest air and most death-defying tricks, but his stunts take place in extreme locations: Niagara Falls, the Space Needle, Mount Etna—even over the wreck of the Titanic. Did we mention he's only twelve years old?

• Language: English
• Publisher: North Star Editions
• Release date: Sep 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781631635601

Sean Petrie

Sean is a poet, author, and professor. His books include Typewriter Rodeo, Listen to the Trees, the Jett Ryder series, and the Pet Poems workbook for kids. As a founder of the nationally-renowned Typewriter Rodeo, he's written over 20,000 poems for strangers all across the country. He does weekly radio poems for Texas NPR and teaches at the University of Texas.www.seanpetrie.com

Book preview

NSE_FICT_JETT_SPAC_COV_mksm.jpg

Threading the Space Needle © 2022 by North Star Editions, Mendota Heights, MN 55120. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including internet usage, without written permission from the copyright owner, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Book design by Jake Slavik

Illustrations by Carl Pearce

Photographs ©: Shutterstock Images, 67; Gene Blevins/Zuma Press/Newscom, 68

Published in the United States by Jolly Fish Press, an imprint of North Star Editions, Inc.

First Edition

First Printing, 2021

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data (pending)

978-1-63163-559-5 (paperback)

978-1-63163-558-8 (hardcover)

Jolly Fish Press

North Star Editions, Inc.

2297 Waters Drive

Mendota Heights, MN 55120

www.jollyfishpress.com

Printed in the United States of America

Chapter 1

Jett Ryder stood beneath the dizzyingly tall tower and craned his neck upward.

Just looking at it, I feel like I’m flying, he said.

He was at the base of the Seattle Space Needle with his best friend, Mika Moore. It was a clear summer day, and they were in line for the elevator to the top. Above them, the Needle’s massive sides sloped gracefully upward, like three giant ladders propped together, pointing to the sky.

I love how it doesn’t compete with nature, said Mika. It blends with it.

Halfway up the Needle, a seagull darted through one of the wide, sky-filled openings in its support beams. The gull held its wings out, floating on the breeze.

Reviews for Threading the Space Needle

[nx74defiant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great children's book. Jett and his parents plan, practice and think about safety of his stunts. The book explains the history of the Space Needle. It includes a glossary.

[jrbooklvr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a parent of a 3rd grader who is a reluctant reader I cannot recommend this book enough. This book is highly engaging , keeping a brisk pace packed with excitement encouraging my child to keep reading. He could not put it down. I really appreciated the book snuck in STEM, History, and focus on a landmark. Now I have my child asking me about the World's fair and begging to go see the Space Needle in person. I love that this book opened up so much critical thinking as well as having my child asking for more books from the series.