A review by michalice
The Polar Bear Explorers' Club by Alex Bell

5.0

When you’ve worked with a publicist for a while, and they ask you to be part of a new book release which ends up being a worldwide hit, you don’t turn the offer down, so when you’re asked again for a surprise middle grade book you don't hesitate in saying yes.

Stella Starflake Pearl is adopted, she lives with her Dad Felix, and their multitude of pygmy dinosaurs, unicorns, and a polar bear. Stella wants to be an explorer, a navigator to be exact, but the Polar Bear Explorer's Club forbids women from being explorers, but Felix puts his honour, and his role in the club on the line and Stella soon finds herself part of this club, along with her friend Beanie, and Shay, a mysterious wolf whisperer.

The Polar Bear Explorer's Club embark on a mission to find the coldest part of the Icelands, but this isn’t a solo mission and the Ocean Squid Explorers Club is accompanying them, and that’s how they meet Ethan, an arrogant, selfish boy who dislikes Stella, Beanie, and Shay. But unexpected circumstances involving hastily purchased wolves, a herd of woolly mammoths, and a broken ice bridge, finds this young group of explorers alone in the Icelands, trying to find a way to the coldest part in one piece.

The Polar Bear Explorer's Club was just the book I needed to read. As soon as I began reading I didn't stop, I love the relationship Stella and Felix have.  I love how Stella isn’t afraid to push the boundaries, and how Felix doesn’t hold her back but encourages her.


I love the magical aspect to it, who wouldn’t want a pet Unicorn, or a Pygmy Dragon, or a Polar Bear (minus the potential squashing), or even mini Penguins in a mini igloo. Even the meaner side of the magical creatures make an impact, Yetis and the Frosties.

The Polar Bear Explorer's Club is the perfect book for an adventure seeking child...or adult. I love how the plot was easy to follow, but kept you wanting to know more. As the story progresses some secrets and pasts are revealed (one I did guess) but seeing what comes from those revelations made up for the sad parts.

I am honestly struggling to write this review, because I have so many reasons for you to read this book, I'm worried that all my reasons will spoil a lot of what happens within the pages. I just know that as soon as I finished reading The Polar Bear Explorer's Club I needed to know there would be another in this series, and that I need it in my hands right now please. I'm really looking forward to getting a copy of this for my niece.

Final Verdict
Buy this book