by Alex Bell
“We certainly believe that to be the case,” Felix replied calmly.
“Well, if that’s so, why don’t we just open one right now and find out?” President Smythe said, already reaching for the snow globe containing the giants.
“No, no.” Felix shook his head. “You can’t simply open it here.”
“And why not?” President Smythe asked suspiciously.
“Use your common sense, man,” Felix said. “It’s the Land of the Giants. If it springs back into life here, it will flatten us all. There isn’t room for it.”
“How terribly convenient for you,” President Smythe said, replacing the snow globe with a sneer.
“On the contrary, it is most inconvenient,” Felix said sharply. “Nevertheless, we must endeavor to be sensible if we can.” He picked up the Phantom Atlas, which had also been laid on the table. “This book shows where these places were collected from. The globes must be returned there and put back. Look, the Land of the Giants is meant to go here.” He pointed to a page on the map. “Someone traveling by dirigible could make it in under a week. And the Sky Phoenix Explorers’ Club is only a few more days away from there.”
Finally, after much discussion, it was agreed that the two snow globes Felix had mentioned would be taken to their correct locations and opened. Much as Stella pleaded, they refused point-blank to allow her or Felix to go since they were both technically expelled from the club.
“I will take them,” Ethan’s father, Zachary Vincent Rook, offered. “Look at the geography.” He gestured at the atlas. “It’ll be faster by submarine.”
Since everyone was able to agree with this choice, Zachary assembled an Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club expedition without delay, and Ethan accompanied him. Stella and Felix were allowed to return home with the phoenixes. Beanie and his family also went home since they still had a lot of catching up to do. And Shay’s mother arrived to collect Shay, who also very much needed to spend some time with his family.
“They did it,” Felix said now, looking down at Stella as she took the newspaper from him. “Ethan and Zachary did it.”
Stella looked at the newspaper headline, which read:
ICE PRINCESS SAVES FORGOTTEN EXPLORERS’ CLUB
The article went on to detail how Zachary Vincent Rook’s expedition had released the Sky Phoenix Explorers’ Club from the snow globe. There had been a dozen explorers trapped within the clubhouse when it was collected, and the newspaper had printed quotes from some of them.
“We can’t thank the ice princess enough.”
“If it wasn’t for her, we’d still be imprisoned.”
“We may have lost most of our members, but the Sky Phoenix Explorers’ Club will rise from the ashes.”
“New applicants welcome.”
“Stella Starflake Pearl may join our ranks anytime she likes.…”
“The papers are all full of it this morning,” Felix said. “The Land of the Giants has been set free as well. I’m sure you have Ethan to thank for making sure they knew who was responsible.”
“It wasn’t just me,” Stella said. “It was all of us.”
“Well, you were the only one who was facing arrest,” Felix replied. “And now the papers are calling you a hero.”
“Tomorrow they’ll probably be calling me a villain again,” Stella said.
Even so, she couldn’t prevent a rising sense of excitement as she gripped the newspaper.
“That, I think, is a problem for another day,” Felix said. “For now, public opinion is with us. There are snow globes that need to be returned to their places on the map, a Collector to catch, and a Phantom Atlas Society to thwart. In the meantime, I have received a telegram from President Fogg offering us both full membership of the Polar Bear Explorers’ Club once again, if we want it. There’s also a telegram from the president of the Sky Phoenix Explorers’ Club—a nice chap by the name of Alistair Fox Jacob—inviting us to take tea at their club. The king of the giants also sent a letter, which the servants are currently rolling out on the front lawn—it’s rather large—but I imagine that will be an invitation too.”
He looked down at her. “So, what do you want to do?”
Stella folded the paper and tucked it under her arm. Then she looked up at Felix as a grin spread over her face. “I want to do all of it,” she replied. “Be an explorer again. Visit the giants and the Sky Phoenix Club. Return the snow globes. And stop Scarlett Sauvage before she can do any more damage.”
“Right,” Felix replied, rubbing his hands together. “Then we have a lot to do. I suggest we share a pot of tea and cookies in the library. And then, my dear, I think we’d better get started.”
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to the following wonderful people:
My agent, Thérèse Coen, and the Hardman and Swainson Literary Agency.
The lovely team at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers—especially to my editor, Amanda Ramirez—Justin Chanda, Tom Daly, Katrina Groover, Martha Hanson, Jenica Nasworthy, and everyone else behind the scenes.
My two Siameses, Suki and Misu, and my husband, Neil Dayus.
All of the children’s booksellers and teachers who take the time to champion books and nurture a love of reading in young people.
And, finally, to all of the children who have read and enjoyed Polar Bears. When you dress up as the characters, or write letters to me, or create things in the classroom, or share your amazing ideas at events, you remind me of what a special thing it is to be a children’s writer. I hope you enjoy this book too.
More from this Series
The Polar Bear…
Book 1
The Forbidden Expedition
Book 2
About the Author
ALEX BELL has always wanted to be a writer, but had several different backup plans to ensure she didn’t end up in the poor-house first. After training as a lawyer, she now works at the Citizens Advice Bureau, a legal advice firm in the United Kingdom. Most of her spare time consists of catering to the whims of her Siamese cat.
TOMISLAV TOMIC graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, Croatia. He started publishing his illustrations during his college days, and since then has illustrated a great number of books, picture books, schoolbooks, and many covers for children’s books. He lives and works in Zaprešić, Croatia.
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Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Simon & Schuster, New York
Also by Alex Bell
The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club
The Forbidden Expedition
SIMON & SCHUSTER BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
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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.
Text copyright © 2019 by Alex Bell
Illustrations copyright © 2019 by Tomislav Tomic´
Originally published in Great Britain in 2019 by Faber & Faber Limited
First US Edition 2020
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Jacket design by Chloë Foglia and Tom Daly
Interior design by Hilary Zarycky
The illustrations for this book were rendered in pen and ink and digitally
CIP data for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-5344-0652-0
ISBN 978-1-5344-0654-4 (eBook)