As someone who grew up in the Midwest U.S., I first gained some awareness of the 'Polar Bear Expedition' of 1918-19 --- in which a U.S. Army regiment was sent to Northern Russia in the summer of 1918 ostensibly to guard stores of Allied military equipment at the port of Archangel, but was later used in battle against the Bolsheviks as part of a larger Allied (i.e. British) scheme to overthrow the Bolshevik government in Moscow and bring Russia back into World War I as a way to force Germany to recommit military forces there --- from a story I read in the late 1970s in a local paper about an elderly gentleman in Detroit whom mention was made of as having served in Northern Russia with the U.S. Army in 1919. I never forgot that newspaper story. And so, when I became aware of this book, I was determined to read it.    And I'm glad I did, because I learned so much.    For instance, who knew that, in addition to the U.S. and Britain, French, Canadian, and some Chinese military forces were involved in military actions against Bolshevik forces in Northern Russia in 1918-1919?

I highly recommend "THE POLAR BEAR EXPEDITION: The Heroes of America's Forgotten Invasion of Russia, 1918-1919" for anyone interested in learning about a long overlooked chapter of U.S. history that can provide valuable lessons for policymakers, academics, U.S. civilian and military leaders, and the general public as to the need (as stated by the White House) to deploy military forces in any part of the world identified as vital to U.S. security interests. 

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is about a boy who boards a mysterious train: The Polar Express bound for the North Pole. Once there, Santa offers the boy any gift he desires. The boy asks for one bell from the harness of a reindeer.On Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the tree. The boy's mother admires the bell, but laments that it is broken because she cannot hear it ring. Only believers can hear the bell ring. 

Guided Reading: Level N

Classroom Activities: 

Extend learning about the polar regions with this lesson plan from National Geographic.

The Activity Idea Place offers a couple dozen language arts, art, and music ideas to help teach about animals of the polar regions.

Have a movie party with caramel nougat squares and hot chocolate.

This book is another holiday classic that needs to be a part of every classroom library. Most schools participate in "Polar express day" where the students watch the movie and drink hot chocolate. I would read this book the week before Christmas Break and before that specific day. That is how I would use this book in my classroom. It is written in a DRA reading level of DRA 30 and is meant to be read at kindergarten to second grade. This book is sure to get students pumped up for the break. It is a must have!

     This Christmas classic includes a young boy eager and lying awake one Christmas Eve, when he is invited aboard a magical train taking him to the North Pole. Through dark forests, over mountains, and across an ice desert, the Polar Express makes its way to the North Pole where the young boy will finally receive a Christmas wish.

     This book's reading level is ages 4-7 years. A great way to use this book would be during Christmas time. Read the book to the children and ask them why they think the author chose the wording they did. Post the book and let the children examine the illustrations. Lastly, let the children come up with their own story and illustrations.

Could a pair of tattoos ignite a passionate romance?

Technical analyst Garrett Jones lives a solitary life. Occasionally, he must venture into the outside world to get what he needs. On one such occasion, he finds himself at a local tattoo shop getting inked for the first time with a semi-colon as a reminder of his past--a past he cannot allow himself to forget.

Fun-loving and outspoken Dev Hemingway is a social worker for a local LGBTQ shelter. He’s covered in tatts, has long hair, and though most people think he belongs on a Harley, he prefers his Venom electric scooter. He’s adding a semi-colon to his tattoo repertoire to mark eight years since his mental health diagnosis. 

Though they start seeing each other casually, Garrett and Dev’s relationship soon deepens into something more than either one could have prepared for. But will the illness that brought them together ultimately be the one to tear them apart? Could this be the end of their story, or is there still too much left unfinished?

Review

A well told love story where opposites attract. Garret, the introvert and Dev, the extrovert. I like how this difference between got as much time and Dev's mental health and the trigger it is for Garret given his history.

This book takes takes it time and we get to see a loving relationship bloom and a lot of personal healing and growth.