by A sledding boy in Anchorage sends a half-finished question, plus the tallest mountain in North America and how Alaska joined the USA
A Letter to Santa from Anchorage, Alaska
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Logan and I am 7 years old. I live in Anchorage, Alaska, where the winters are long, the snow is deep, and the northern lights dance overhead. I love sledding with our husky, Biscuit. I tried to write my big question, but my mittens were so thick that all I got down was: are Santa… Oops! My geography question is: what is the tallest mountain in North America? And my social studies question is: how did Alaska become part of the United States? Thanks, Santa!
Love, Logan (age 7)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Logan, my fellow northerner! Thick mittens are a fine excuse, and I had a good chuckle at your frozen half-question. Since it stopped midway, let me have some fun guessing what you meant. Are Santa’s reindeer real? Yes indeed, and they would love your snowy Alaska. Are Santa and the elves busy? Always, the workshop never stops! Are Santa’s neighbors way up in Alaska? Practically, you are one of my closest pals on the map. Whatever you meant to ask, give Biscuit the husky a pat from me.
Your geography question: the tallest mountain in North America
The tallest mountain in all of North America is Denali, and it rises right in your own Alaska. Its snowy peak towers over the land, and climbers from around the world come to test themselves against it. Living in Alaska, you share your home with the highest mountain on the whole continent. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: how Alaska joined the USA
Your own Alaska became part of the United States long ago when the country purchased it from Russia. At the time, some people thought buying such a far, frozen land was a silly idea, but it turned out to be rich in nature, beauty, and resources. Alaska later became the largest state in the whole country. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Go for a great sled ride for me, Logan. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
