Reviews

The Loneliest Polar Bear by Kale Williams

tyrshand's review

3.0

This was one of those books that didn't fit together well, for me. I was fascinated by the polar bear narratives and I certainly agree with the environmentalist parts and am glad I learned more. However, I don't think those combined seamlessly in the book. As an example, if you get me invested in the survival of a bear cub and then leave me on a cliffhanger to talk about environmental policy... well, that chapter on policy is going to suffer. It may be important, but it's not going to be as emotionally gripping as the bear's plight. And then, after the long chapter break, the momentum is broken when we get back to the bear. Further, because the environmental parts were much broader in scope, they didn't actually segway well from the polar bear bits. They also endeavored to be timely, which means that they sometimes talked about recent events... and maybe it's too soon. It's possible that people interested in nature and the environment missed Greta Thunberg... but it seems unlikely. Maybe in five years those parts will be more surprising and interesting to readers.

amandamarieger's review

4.0

This was a very interesting profile of several polar bears that were raised in zoos, told alongside the results of climate change on their natural habitat. Super interesting, but a little dry at times. Would definitely recommend if you’re into polar bears or climate science reporting.

noodlemycaboodle's review

2.0

2.5
The book was decent, but so slow paced. Wouldn’t really recommend picking it up unless you’re into reading about climate change, polar bears, or Alaska

alexiszoesch's review

hopeful informative fast-paced

3.0

ralovesbooks's review

4.0

Val needed someone to discuss this book with, so she ordered me a copy to pick up at the my local indie bookstore, which made it extra special. There's so much to talk about in this story. Climate change, zoo practices, animal mental health - this book has it all!

sophiesbookbag's review

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

mw_bookgraph's review

4.0

Hogle zoo makes a few appearances!

Very much enjoyed

heathero621's review

hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

In this investigative novel Kale looks at how climate change/global warming is effecting Polar Bears and those that live in the north where Polar Bears roam.  He also weaves in the story of Nora, a polar bear born in captivity, that was abandoned by her mom and everything that it took to get her to thrive in the zoos.

Nora is a polar bear that was in Portland for a bit and I remember her story, so that is why I wanted to pick up this book.  I learned more about her and I really enjoyed those bits of the story.  I also found the bits about Gene Agnaboogok interesting.  I felt like the climate change bits went with the story, but weren't always integrated smoothly into the story.  Sometimes it felt a little jarring when the author was talking about Nora to all of sudden being about Climate change (I guess the transitions weren't as smooth as I had hoped).  It was a short novel and if the climate change bits were taken out the book would have been more of a novella, so that is why I think they were added.  I preferred all the parts about Nora.  This was the first time reading the acknowledgements and I knew someone that was thanked, which was fun to see. 

I would give the book 3.5 stars.

joannema7's review

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

I liked this book a lot more than I even thought I would. It's got cute polar bears, information about zoos and lots of information about climate change. The author wove these all together quite well.