The Forbidden Expedition (Polar Bear Explorers' Club #2)

by Alex Bell (Author) Tomislav Tomic (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

Stella and the gang travel to Witch Mountain to save Felix and what they find along the way could change the course of their adventures forever in this second novel in the whimsical Polar Bear Explorers' Club series.

Stella Starflake Pearl has been eagerly awaiting her next adventure, ever since she and Felix returned from the Snowy Icelands. She fears, however, that she might never be sent on another expedition, especially since the president of the Polar Bear Explorers' Club himself is afraid of her ice princess powers. But when disaster strikes and Felix is snatched by a fearsome witch, Stella and the rest of the junior explorers--including a reluctant new ally from the Jungle Cat Explorers' Club--must set off into the unknown on a forbidden journey to the top of Witch Mountain. What awaits them there is a mystery. The only thing they know is this: No one ever returns from Witch Mountain. In the second installment of Alex Bell's magical The Polar Bear Explorers' Club series, Stella and the gang face villainous vultures, terrifying witch wolves, flying sharks, and eerie picnicking teddy bears on their daring quest to save one of their own.

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School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--In this series sequel, Stella Starflake Pearl is eager to go on her next adventure as the first female member of the Polar Bear Explorers' Club. Her anticipation is halted by the discovery that she is an Ice Princess, her mother was a cruel Ice Queen, and the witch Jezzybella murdered her parents and wants to harm Stella. She must also grapple with prejudice from others who are fearful of Ice Princesses. When Jezzybella attacks Stella's home and her adoptive father Felix goes to the dangerous Witch Mountain alone, Stella launches a rescue mission. With her explorer friends Ethan, Beanie, and Shay, Stella sets off to face Jezzybella. Along the way, the explorers meet Witch Hunter Cadi and Witch Drusilla. They learn that not everything about Witch Mountain, Jezzybella, and the cruel curse of ice magic is what it seems. This novel continues the whimsical world-building Bell established in the first book. The creatures the explorers face are both fearsome and funny, including vampire trolls and argumentative mushrooms. Some readers may find Bell's world a little corny, but fans of Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted or any of Rick Riordan's series will be intrigued. Tomic's wonderful illustrations enhance Bell's story and bring the creatures to life. VERDICT A delightful fantasy adventure that will leave readers wanting the next book in the series.--Kaetlyn Phillips, Yorkton, Sask.

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781534406506
Lexile Measure
970
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date
November 10, 2020
Series
Polar Bear Explorers' Club
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV002270 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical
Library of Congress categories
Adventure and adventurers
Adventure stories
Witches
Fantasy fiction
Kidnapping
Explorers
Clubs

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