You are a very good book author!   The love the book City of Ember.  It made me feel like I was riding down the river with them and hiding with them.  The City of Ember has a lot of detail that I like such as when they were in the river on their way out of Ember, all of the waves, and how scared Poppie was.

This book has changed my way of thinking of a town and having a good mayor.

Sincerely,

Kati Kolde
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, Kansas

Click here to hear Kati Kolde read this entry .

I love your books.  They amaze me.  I like them best because it makes me wonder what’s  going to happen next.  I have read the following: Wait Til Helen Comes, Doll in the Garden, Old Willis Place, Look for me by Moonlight, and Deep and Dark and Dangerous.

Your books inspire me.  They have made me want to read more. They also make me want to adventure more. I love how there is always a mystery with ghosts in it.  The books made me think about spirits, and how they aren’t at rest until they are done with someone.  It always makes me think.  My favorite one is either Deep and Dark and Dangerous or Doll in the Garden.  I have read Wait Til Helen Comes three times.  I like that one too.  I always know now that when I read your books there were always be a mystery behind it.  I love your books and hope to read all of them.

Sincerely,


Britnee Zemek
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys Kansas  

Click here to hear Britnee Zemek read their entry .

I like your books Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Rodric Rules.  I think your books are very funny like in the 2nd one when George makes the story called “The Boy Who’s Parents Think He’s a Dog”.  Your books are hilarious.  The 2nd book kind of reminds me of me because when George gets in trouble a lot.  Oh ya! And when Rowel kicks the pillow with the weight in it, also reminds me of me.  Because one time someone put a weight in a pillow and I kicked it and it really really hurt. 

Your books made me feel like I could experiment and invent with a lot of cool things.   I loved your books they were hilarious.  I hope you make a 3rd book. Thank you. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                               Sincerely,

Abby Homan
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys Kansas  

Click here to hear Abby Homan read this entry .

The book How to Eat Fried Worms changed my thinking of eating worms and different foods put together. I have also changed my thinking about bets. At the end of the story I thought Billy was going to loose the bet!

 I am first going to tell you about putting foods together. Like now, I might put Mexican food and Chinese food together, or cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, Snickers, Sour Strings, and Gummy Worms all together.

Since I changed my way of thinking about eating worms I might as well tell you. I might eat a worm today, boiled or fried. It might be a weird taste and my family might be grossed out, but it’s worth it.

My favorite part in the book How to Eat Fried Worms was the first worm that Billy ate. He was so afraid, and I was scared that he might get sick!

Please pick me for one of the three fifty dollar winners!

Your Friend,

Zachary Burns
4th grade, Elmont Elementary
Topeka  , KS

Click here to hear Zachary Burns read their entry .

I loved your book  How To Eat Fried Worms. It completely changed the way I think about worms, trying different foods and how I think about friends.  Why you might ask.  Well, I always thought of worms as a food to fish and only fish, but now I think of worms as food to people.  I might try some someday. 

It also changes the way I try foods.   I am now willing to try any food you put in front of me.  And I love the way you summarized the whole book about the bet Billy and Alan made.

For my final topic I am going to talk about friends.   I mean I have good friends.  Some people have friends that use their friends. In your book there are good friends and friends that quit on you.  Say Tom for example.  Tom and Billy stuck together in the whole book but Alan and Joe quit on Billy like the way they cheated three or four times.

That is how your book changed the way I think but there are lots of other ways it has changed my life.   I also love the way you put all of the topics based on the interesting bet Billy and Alan made.

Please choose me for one of the fifty dollar winners.     

Sincerely,

Weston Tanner
4th grade, Elmont Elementary
Topeka  , KS

Click here to hear Weston Tanner read their entry aloud .

Hi I am Theresa Bertels. The favorite book I’ve read of yours was Deep Dark and Dangerous. It has changed my life by my feelings. I used to draw sunny pictures with color but now I’m shading with dark colors like black and gray. That’s not a bad thing to me. It is a good thing. People are even asking me to draw pictures for them. So thank you for writing Deep Dark and Dangerous.

Sincerely,

Theresa Bertels
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, Kansas

Click here to hear Theresa Bertels read this entry .

Your writing means a lot to me.   The Winning Season series teaches me to never give up, follow my dreams, and do my best.  They also teach me don’t get mad when you’re under pressure and calm down in some of them.  I have read a couple of your books.  They make me want to read them all.  They tell me even if your not the best, you can still be the difference maker in the game.

Sincerely,

Spencer Rieschick
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, K.S.

Click here to hear Spencer Rieschick read this entry .

I just want to take a minute to tell you that you have inspired me in so many ways. In the novel, Where the Red Fern Grows you taught me that if I want something badly enough I can achieve it. All it takes is perserverance and hard work.

My favorite part in this book was when the two dogs died. It really made me realize, at that point, how much he loved those dogs and how hard he had worked to get them and train them. I liked that part because it really taught me that all our favorite things will pass away someday. Even though that seems sad, it is true.  We should enjoy the time we have with those we love, on Earth.

In my opinion, you are in my own Author's Hall of Fame! You are my favorite author. Thank you for all you teach readers in your literature.

Sincerely,

Seth Jennings
5th grade, Maize Central Elementary
Wichita, KS

Click here to hear Seth Jennings read their entry.

 My name is Madi Cina. I love your book, How To Eat Fried Worms. I read it to my brother. He went around telling people that I eat worms. Then he started eating worms. I just want to let you know worms are disgusting.

What changed my life was that I looked at people differently. Now I give people a chance. A girl was mean, but I learned to live with it. We became best friends. My favorite part in the book was the end. I like how you think when you wrote How To Eat Fried Worms and How To Fight a Girl. That is my story. 

Please pick me for one of the fifty-dollar winners!

Sincerely,

Madi Cina
4th grade, Elmont Elementary
Topeka  , KS

Click here to hear Mada Cina read their entry .

I love your book My Brothers Keeper.   It made me feel like I was there watching the civil war happen.  I’ve read it many times and every time I found a new reason to love it.  Now I know that it isn’t all about me and there are other people that hurt worse than I do and they have made the country I live in and love the best.

Sincerely,

Kendra Hutley
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, Kansas

Click here to hear Kendra Hutley read this entry .

I have read many of you books.  I’m recently reading Tucket’s Gold.  You have taught me how scared the white people were because of the Indians.  You also taught me how cruel the white people were to the Indians.  I have read Hatchet, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Hunt, Grizzly, Tracker, Mr.Tucket, Call Me Francis Tucket, Tucket’s Ride, and I’m currently reading Tucket’s Gold. 

You have changed my way of reading.  I used to barely read but now I read all the time.  Thank you for writing.  If you didn’t I still would be hardly reading.  But I have one request I know you said you are not going to write a nether Brian book but please one more.  Well I hope you write a nether Brian book but for now thanks for writing.   

Sincerely,

Hunter Marshall
St Marys Grade School
St. Marys, KS

Click here to hear Hunter Marshall read this entry .

             Your book, Ruby Holler, made me change the way I look at orphans, woods, and sunlight. I used to never think about orphans, but now I want to adopt one. I hope I never come across someone like Mr. Trepid though. I loved the woods and the way you described all the bushes, trees and hills made me love it even more. When I’m camping out or even just outside one whiff of the air and one look around makes me think of Dallas  and Florida. You described the darkness in the cellar and in the woods the night they tried to escape so well that I not only love the sunshine, but I am also thankful for it. I have read this book twice now and have had other people read it. They say it touched their hearts, but I’m sure it touched mine more.

Fondly,

Gracie Goheen
5th grade, Prairie Star Elementary
Leawood  , KS

Click here to hear Gracie Goheen read their entry .

I have read all of your books.   They are my favorites!  One thing about your books that has changed my outlook on life is the way, like in your books, there could be magic around every corner or behind every brick wall. 

Another way, is like with Harry, I now see adventure as something fun.  Before I was like, “Don’t do that.  We’ll get in trouble!”  I guess reading about Harry, Ron, and Hermione going on adventures, made me want to, too!

Oh, and the way regular (muggle) cars could be enchanted to fly, now I always wear my seatbelt. 

In your books you made me think about the world and how there’s a little magic in everything we see, smell, touch, taste, and hear.   There’s another world of magic and we just have to believe it’s there and find it.

Your biggest fan,

Eliza Rezac
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, Kansas

Click here to hear Eliza Rezac read this entry .

I like your Judy Moody books and Stink books. They’re all funny. I read mostly all of your books. They’re all cool, they’re good, and they’re awesome. Thank you for making the books. It makes me want to read more of your books.

 Sincerely,

Corey Tyler
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, KS  

Click here to hear Corey Tyler read this entry.

I love your books.   My favorite books of yours are the Hatchet series.  Hatchet was my first book I read of yours.  After Hatchet I read Brian’s Winter and soon Brian’s Hunt.  After I read Brian’s Hunt I was even a little sad!   

These are all the books I read in all from you: The Hatchet series, Danger on Midnight River, Mr. Tucket, and Tracker.  Most of your books I have read so far taught me a way of life.  Thank you for writing such good books.  I can’t wait to read more books of yours.  Thanks again for such good books.

Sincerely,

Brady William Mulligan
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, Kansas

Click here to hear Brady Mulligan read this entry .

I absolutely love your books. I have read the following: Doll in the Garden, Deep and Dark and Dangerous, Anna on the farm,  Following Mystery Man, and I’m going to read Wait Till Hellen Comes. Honestly my favorite book is Doll in the Garden! It made me think different about spirits and how they might never be at rest until they ended their life happy. Also in Deep and Dark and Dangerous, how Theresa was not at rest till the other girls admitted how she died and she had a proper funeral. 

A lot of people in my class read your books.   The first book I read was Doll in the Garden.  I finished it in one day.  I loved it sooo much!  Doll in the Garden inspired me to read more books written by you.  Every time I read another book, it makes me like you more.

One more thing, Following the Mystery Man made me be more aware of how people look innocent and act innocent but are not!  So thank you for writing books that are soo awesome!!

Your # 1 fan,

Aubrey Huaracha
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, Kansas

Click here to hear Aubrey Huaracha read this entry .

I love your book Coal Miners’ Bride.  It is the best book I have read. I read it about 4 times.  It made me think of how there were people that didn’t really have a choice but had to risk their lives for their family. Your book made me think about what is gong to happen next. I hope you write more books like the coal miners bride!           

Sincerely,

Allie Sack
St. Marys Grade School
St. Marys, Kansas

Click here to hear Allie Sack read this entry .

KNEA Read Aloud Contest Entries

Teachers want students to read and write. To commemorate Read Across America in 2009, KNEA teachers want students to read aloud what they write. Students were asked to write a personal letter to an author, living or deceased, from any genre explaining how the author’s work changed the student’s way of thinking about the world or themselves and then read aloud and record what they wrote.

Three winners will receive $50 gift certificates.

We thought you would enjoy reading and hearing the entries.

The following students submitted entries to the 2009 KNEA Read Aloud Contest. 

Emporia  
            Hannah Duncan, Village Elementary
            Kathryn Kienholz, Timmerman Elementary
            Carson Powers, Village Elementary
            Jaden Silva, Timmerman Elementary

Leawood
            Gracie Goheen, Prairie Star Elementary

St. Marys
            Theresa Bertels, St. Marys Elementary
            Abby Homan, St. Marys Elementary
            Aubrey Huaracha, St. Marys Elementary
            Kendra Hutley, St. Marys Elementary
            Katie Kolde, St. Marys Elementary
            Hunter Marshall, St. Marys Elementary
            Brady Mulligan, St. Marys Elementary
            Eliza Rezac, St. Marys Elementary
            Spencer Rieschick, St. Marys Elementary
            Allie Sack, St. Marys Elementary
            Corey Tyler, St. Marys Elementary  
            Britnee Zemek, St. Marys Elementary

Topeka  
            Zachary Burns , Elmont Elementary
            Madi Cina , Elmont Elementary
            Weston Tanner , Elmont Elementary

Wichita  
            Seth Jennings, Maize Central Elementary

I have really enjoyed reading most of your books. I love school so they are fun to read. Whenever I go home and tell my parents I’m reading a new book, they know who it’s written by. Most of your books I can relate to just because I love school. I especially liked A Week in the Woods because I haven’t ever moved and have always been interested in school so it was neat to see a story in a different point of view than I’m used to. I am also a little scared of being alone, so it was really neat to read. I also liked to read it because the characters seemed so real, they think and talk like us.  I have loved all of your books I’ve read so far. Frindle is the only one I think I haven’t read, but I’m trying to save the best for last.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Kienholz
4th grade, Timmerman Elementary
Emporia  , KS  66801

Click here to hear Kathryn Kienholz read their entry .

I chose to write to you because I like how you leave a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter. It makes me not want to put the book down. I’m reading your book Witch Catcher. I also enjoy reading your books because they are scary and you have a lot of detail in your books, so it’s easy to understand what you’re trying to say. I like the mysteries and drama you put into your books. Another reason I chose you is your characters. I like how you describe the witches and fairies. I especially like how you describe Maura, how you say she’s mysterious and she wears glasses to cover her eyes, how she’s sneaky and evil. I love your books!

Sincerely,

Jaden Silva
4th grade, Timmerman Elementary
Emporia  , KS

Click here to hear Jaden Silva read their entry.

I love the book, The Missing Book 1 Found . When I saw the front cover and your name, I got over-excited and I had to have it! I read the first page, just to be certain and I just could NOT put it down!

Jonah and Chip’s relationship is really sudden because they almost just me each other. It is really cool that Katherine, the innocent younger sister got into the mess with time travel and even though she is not adopted, she has a brain of time travel.

This book has REALLY changed my view of the world because this book has raised my interest in science fiction, including time travel. There was also a lot of suspense in this story. That helped me in trying to find out the past and mystery of time travel.

After reading this book, I wanted to try to unlock the concept of time travel. I might be able to time travel in my mind in a few years. To help this thought, I am waiting anxiously for the next book in the series.

What would I do if I could time travel is I would go back to the fifteenth century and join Jonah, Chip, and Katherine to save the babies on the plane from making the wrong decision. FUTURE OR PAST!!

Sincerely,

Hannah Duncan
4th grade, Village  Elementary School
Emporia  , KS  66801

Click here to hear Hannah Duncan read their entry .

I really liked your book! The Lightning Thief was a good book because it made me want to keep reading and reading, I couldn’t put it down! At first I thought that gods didn’t exist, but after reading your book I thought there might still be gods all over the place with their demi-gods and demi-goddesses. My favorite character was Percy Jackson because he can breathe underwater, control ocean life, and make anything he touches underwater dry. I liked it when he was underwater and he grabbed a hamburger wrapper and a lighter and lit the wrapper on fire, underwater! If I was a demi-god I would have Poseidon as my father and I would create tsunamis and right when they were going to hit, I would stop them and push them back to the ocean.   I have read the other two books and I am anxiously awaiting the fourth!

Sincerely,

Carson  Powers
4th grade, Village  School
Emporia  , KS  

Click here to hear Carson Powers read their entry.

Rachel Schwartzbeck's poster is the official 2008 Read Across America poster for Kansas

Rachel Schwartzbeck, a fifth grader at Meadowlark Elementary in Andover, is the winner of the KNEA Read Across America poster contest. Her entry, "Just Read," took top honors from nearly 316 entries from 33 communities.

Rachel Schwartzbeck, a fifth-grader at Meadowlark Elementary School in Andover is the winner of the KNEA Read Across America Poster Contest. Her parents are Ellen and John Schwartzbeck of Andover. Her reading teacher is Kim Hague and her art teacher is Ginger Steck.

The poster contest required the artwork and a written explanation of the elements used in the poster plus why the poster promotes reading. 

"I chose the little pom-pom people to show that reading is exciting just like cheerleaders make the game more exciting.  I used the hearts in the fox's eyes to show that he loved to read and he had fun reading. I also used the Algebra book to who that reading is educational. I used the map and the sign to show that reading is more than books. I used the adult books and children books to show that young and old should read. I used the phone book to show that you can be reading, when you don't realize it. I chose the characters from the Dr. Seuss book because those are my favorite characters. I chose to put the sunset in because it was the end of a fun day reading. I chose the road because it's 'Read Across America.'

I think the poster shows the importance of reading to be able to travel both imaginary and real. When you are going on a trip you have to be able to read a map or sing on the road. If you didn't know how to read the signs, then you'd get lost and you don't want that to happen. Reading can also take you places like Hogwarts, New York City or to a school.  Reading is important because you have to use it every day."

There were 316 entries from 33 school districts or communities. Other winners by category are:

• K-2: Morgan Cassidy - "Read with Me" - 2nd Grade, Highland Elementary School, Columbus KS
• Grades 3-4: Dakota Huff - "Read Across Kansas" - 3rd Grade, Irving Elementary School, Winfield, KS
• Grades 5-6: Kent Willmeth - "Read Across Kansas - Emerald City of Bust!" - 6th Grade, Nemaha Valley Jr. High, Seneca, KS
• Grades 7-8: Lia Werner - "Oh, the places you'll go…" - 7th grade, Oxford Middle School, Blue Valley Public Schools
• Grades 9 - 12: Kaitlin Roberts - "Oh the places you'll go…" - Sophomore, Parsons High School, Parsons, KS

Find their posters, a copy of their comments and their photos below.Postcards of winning artwork are  available! Email KNEA for details.

Rachel's artwork is the official KNEA poster for 2008. Rachel, her family and teachers will came to Topeka to watch her artwork be printed into a poster at Mainline Printing .

The winners' artwork in all categories have been made into postcards. The posters and notecards are available through KNEA. Contact Mike  for postcards and posters. Postcards are $1 per pack. Each pack contains 5 copies each of the six winning posters (30 postcards total).

Partners helping to promote and judge the poster contest include Target, the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC), the Kansas PTA, United Way of Greater Topeka, The State Library of Kansas, Mainline Printing,  Cox Communications and KEN, Kansas Education Network and the Kansas Press Association's Newspapers in Education (NIE).

NEA launched the Read Across America program in 1997 to celebrate the March 2 birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. "Dr. Seuss, or Ted Geisel, epitomizes a love of learning," said KNEA President Blake West. "Dr. Seuss's use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful."

"Who else but teachers would sponsor a poster contest that includes a writing component," he added. "We believe all children can learn. We suggest events that are separated by grade level so that students of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy building skills and imagination through pre-writing, writing, editing, illustrating, reading, publishing and advertising activities.

KNEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on or around Dr. Seuss's birthday.

In 2008 Read Across America will be celebrated on Monday, March 3. Find resources for literacy at www.nea.org/readacross.

Winners by Category

Morgan Cassidy - 2nd Grade - Highland Elementary School - Columbus KS
"Read with Me"

"I think people will want to see where books can take them. I tried to use funky words like Dr. Seuss does to get people's attention.

"You have to so many more opportunities in life if you can read well, and if you can read well  you will want to read more often.  My poster makes reading seem exciting and encourages everyone to read.  To get the most out of a book you must really read it and not just look at the pictures."

Grades 3-4
Dakota Huff - 3rd Grade - Irving Elementary School - Winfield, KS
"Read Across Kansas"

"People will read more because they all like The Cat in the Hat and it is colorful. My poster will help people read because they see the important words."

Grades 5-6

Kent Willmeth - 6th Grade - Nemaha Valley Jr. High - Seneca, KS
"Read Across Kansas - Emerald City or Bust!"

"I chose the Wizard of Oz because it goes with Kansas. I used the Scarecrow because he didn't have a brain and couldn't read.  The poster shows him trying to read the signs because he wants to get to Emerald City and he doesn't know which way to go because he can't read. People will want to read more after seeing my poster because you have to be able to read to get around.

"The Scarecrow in the poster is lost in the Land of Oz. Reading can help people find their way. People can read for pleasure, but it also helps solves problems."

Grades 7-8
Lia Werner - 7th grade - Oxford Middle School - Blue Valley Public Schools
"Oh, the places you'll go…"

"I think people will want to read more after seeing my poser because they will see that reading can be fun and when you read books, you go places in life!

"I think my poster helps people understand the importance of being able to read because the title of my poster is "Oh, the places you'll go" and I hope that when people read that they will think that reading is important and if they read they will go places in their life. Reading helps me in so many ways and I hope my poster makes other people realize how important it is."

Grades 9 - 12+
Kaitlin Roberts  - sophomore - Parsons High School - Parsons, KS
"Oh the places you'll go…"

"I think that people will want to read more after seeing my poster because it's not just showing how to read a simple book but that reading involves much more. My poster shows a "How to Cook" book, music, a children's book, that reading can lead to success in many areas. After seeing my poster people should think about all of the various forms of reading and all the ways reading effects their life.

"A person can have fun reading. It can take you "to here" or "to there". A person can learn their ABC's, to cook, play music, find places with a map and a lot more things.  Reading is exciting and enjoyable for me and I hope for other people after they see my poster, feel the same way."

The artists of the 2008 Read Across America poster for Kansas contest were asked to answer two questions: 

Why do you think people will want to read more after seeing the pictures and words on your poster?
and
What in your poster really helps people understand the importance of being able to read well and read often? 

Here are the answers the artists gave:

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Category

Mason Muto - Lincoln Elementary, Junction City, Grade 1
  The Cat in the hat likes to juggle books. I think it is better to read books. I do chores, football practice and keep my room clean that is hard to juggle. But it is good to read books.

Carlos Marquez - Wilroads Gardens Elementary, Dodge City, Grade 2
  People will want to read more because they will know how to spell the words. I chose to draw a computer because we read them too. The words in the poster show that it is important to be able to read.

Devon  Saylor - South Hutchinson After School Kids and Preschool, South Hutchinson, Grade 2
  They see a shelf of books! They can follow the example of the cat in the hat!

3rd – 4th Grade Category

Brenna Bunch - Country View Elementary, Winfield, Grade 3
  It might make them like books because it’s a cheerful picture.
  Reading  is a treasure. That’s why I wrote that on my poster.

Cole Emerson, Tyler Zentner, Anthonie Snyder - Tecumseh South Elementary, Tecumseh, Grade 3
  Where ever you are you can read. People can learn about different places in books and then go there.
  If you read often you will get smarter. Everybody can read like ghosts, goblins, cowboys, cheerleaders, little boys, old men, little girls, old ladies and you.

Andrew Everett -Irving Elementary, Winfield, Grade 3
  People will want to read more after seeing my poster because it is colorful and has a great message.
  It will help people understand reading because some people like cars.

Jaedon Gardner -Irving Elementary, Winfield, Grade 3
  People will want to read more because the poster inspires them and because of how we made them.
  People will want to read because I used important words.

Roxanna Hamidpour - Overland Trail Elementary, Overland Park, Grade 3
 I am showing that people can dream and imagine all areas and countries around the world by reading about them. They don’t have to travel and see the other places to know what is going on everywhere.
  They can simply sit in their room and study a book or an article and acquire all those information, like they have gone there by hot air balloons or airplanes. In other words it seems like all the world is raining in their rooms by hot air balloons or airplanes.

Jairus Anderson - Washington School, Junction City, Grade 4
  People would want to read more after seeing my poster because my poster encourages anyone around Kansas  maybe around the world, to read no matter where you are. Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, New York, Anywhere! The people in the world should know the job of having the ability to read and write. Also, it has one picture actually from the book: I put the bird there for laughs. I put a nighttime July 4th scene to make the poster cool plus, a crescent moon.
  What in my poster will help the people understand the importance of being able to read well and read often is basically what you’ll find in a book. Joy, mysteries, adventures, frights, romance, danger, action and animals. Something you’ll find in lots of books! Plus, so much more it makes you want to read all the time. So pick up a book, novel, newspaper or a magazine! (With appropriate words, if you’re a kid.) Find the best thing about the book and one day you’ll never put the book down.

Kelsey Geerdes -Hoxie Grade School, Hoxie, Grade 4
  I picked the lady reading because it shows the importance of reading and it’s important to read because it helps you grow as a person.

Rigo Guerrero - McCandless Elementary, Hutchinson, Grade 4
  So they can get a good education and have a better life.
  To pass collage and to read so you can get smart at all things.

Page Palmberg - Linn Elementary, Dodge City, Grade 4
  I chose this topic as it is important to learn of all the wonderful places in our world. Places some of us can’t go to especially the moon and the stars. The pictures are exciting places to learn and not mater the age of a person we can always learn about the importance of our world around us. These pictures are just a minor part of our world so if we start reading at an early age and keep reading we’ll learn so many things in our world, one is never too young or too old to start reading.

Dekel Pope - McCandless Elementary, Hutchinson, Grade 4
  Because it is a big library that has people reading and the old ladies name is Mrs. Frank. And it has lots of colors. Hopefully people will like it because people should go to the library and learn how to read.
  Because if you go somewhere and someone says read this so you won’t make yourself look crazy. And so you can go to college and have a good career and be able to encourage other people to do good too.

Mia Salazar - McCandless Elementary, Hutchinson, Grade 4
  They might see you can read on your spear time.
  The poem I put down, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

Brenden Weathers - Meadowlark Elementary, Andover, Grade 4
  I think people will want to read more after seeing my poster because they have the freedom to read when they want, where they want and what they read.
  The hats represent that anyone can learn how to read; a trucker, a skateboarder, a fisherman, an artist and businessman, etc. Reading  helps Kertle with his talents of speaking and singing.

Melissa White - Northview Elementary, Olathe, Grade 4
  People will want to read more when they look at the globe and see that anyone can read no matter where they live. Reading  across America and all over the world will make you smarter as you learn from what you read.
  The poster helps people understand the importance of reading with the pictures of the books and the words Read, and D.E.A.R (Drop Everything And Read) plus the globe shows a focus to everyone.

5th – 6th Grade Category

Bethany Anne Bleil -Shawnee Heights Elementary, Topeka, Grade 5
  I chose my symbols and words because I would feel left out no matter how old I was if I didn’t know how to read.
  It will help young children and adults because I put, “if you don’t know   how to read all you will be able to do is wait for fish to bide to time to pass by.” That should be enough

Samantha Ekberg -Ogden Elementary, Ogden, Grade 5
  I think people will want to read more after seeing my poster because it explains what you can read, and to follow your dreams. My poster also shows that there are other things to read besides books! There are signs, newspapers and so on.
  I think people will want to read well and often because my poster shows you can read almost anywhere! My poster shows if you can read, it will help you in other subjects too including math, writing and spelling! In math you have to be able to read numbers and words! Have fun, READ!!!

Madayln Talor Gazda - Sunflower Elementary, Andover, Grade 5
  I chose them because it makes reading sound fun like I told them they could learn more things like you could learn more words so you would do well on a spelling test.
  I put my favorite books on there and math and science books telling them that you can read all different kinds of books.

Lauren King -Rhein Benninghoven Elementary School, Shawnee Mission, Grade 5
  The reason why I picked this picture is because it reminds me that all books are different and all of them will take you on a journey beyond your wildest imagination!

Flor Mercado -Comanche Intermediate Center, Dodge City, Grade 5
  I drew an old man and a little boy because you could read at any age. And also I drew the old man reading a newspaper because you don’t have to read a book to count it as reading. You could read a newspaper, instructions, even bulletin boards! Try too read everyday you could read a newspaper in the morning and then you have free time after you finish schoolwork to try to read your favorite book.

Ashley Moore -Comanche Intermediate Center, Dodge City, Grade 5
  I think people would want to read more because the picture is the Cat in the Hat and Cat in the Hat is the greatest book anybody could ever read. I choose the symbols to represent how important it is to read. The words really help you understand because reading is really for believing and believing is really for reading any way.

Aidan O’Brien - St. George Elementary, St. George, Grade 5
  It makes you want to find a book and read about interesting things that you like.
  It helps because you wouldn’t be able to go on a plane or train or boat or even drive a car without reading.

Niallan O’Brien - St. George Elementary, St. George, Grade 5
  People will want to read more because to me, my poster says the sky is not the limit and that you can go anywhere if they read more.
  The rocket helps people understand the importance because if you can read well you can be anything from a doctor to an astronaut. The rocket symbolizes that a book can take you anywhere.

Mackenzie Penny - Sunflower Elementary, Andover, Grade 5
  I think a smaller kid will read more because characters he might like are reading on this poster and when smaller kids see someone they like doing something, they do it too.
  I think the clouds help people understand the importance of reading, because the clouds have the words, math, social studies, science and English. I think that means if you read and study hard your dreams will reach the sky.

Angel Ramon Romero - St. George Elementary, St. George, Grade 5
  I think the kid flipping off the ramp because if you can’t read well you will not be able to read instructions and you might get hurt.

Andrea Sanchez -Comanche Intermediate  Center, Dodge City, Grade 5
  Because the poster shows you can read anywhere.
  If you want some information and you can’t read well, Google or any other computer Web sites won’t help you much.

Becca Schulte - Meadowlark Elementary, Andover, Grade 5
  What I think shows the importance of reading in my poster is the funny picture of the ant and some books are funny, reading is everywhere and you can learn about stuff in the newspapers and learning will help you be successful in life.

Brooke Slayton -Comanche  Intermediate Center, Dodge City, Grade 5
  The cat in the Hat was one of my favorite books when I was younger. My mom would read it to me at night. I hope other kids will want to read it too when they see my poster. I used red, white and blue to stand for the colors of America  . Everyone in America should learn to read. One day I want to be a teacher so I can teach kids how to read because READING IS FUN!

Casandra Trynzolyn -Ogden Elementary, Ogden, Grade 5
  In the poster there is signs everywhere and if you can’t read you probably would not be able to live because you need to read food packages, newspapers, instructions, numbers, bill boards, medicine bottles, game instructions, folders, files, computers and more.

Bailey Votipka, SeungYun Lee, Sydney Kampshroder, Katelyn Chapman - Walnut Grove Elementary, Olathe, Grade 5
  In the poster I drew two children sitting on the books and they are reading books, in the books the rainbow is coming out, it is creative so my poster helps people to understand if you read a book, you will be creative.

Samantha Johnson - St. George Elementary, St. George, Grade 6
  What will help people understand the importance of being able to read is so they don’t crash or go the wrong way.

Michaela Matthews - St. George Elementary, St. George, Grade 6
  If you are trying to buy orange juice you can’t just go to the library. You have to read to know where to get things that can be very important to you.
  The importance of being able to read in my poster is where there is a sign saying “Get Honey HERE” and the two girls don’t know where to go to get their honey!

Ashtyn Mentzer - Overbrook Attendance Center, Overbrook, Grade 6
  My theme I was going for with my poster was humor. So when they see my poster they’ll hopefully laugh, like it and start or continue to read.
  Reading often and reading well can help you in school and after-school activities. My poster doesn’t exactly show that but, it does show that you can read anywhere. So whenever you want to pay a video game pick up a good book and read!

Scarlett Real -Comanche Intermediate Center, Dodge City, Grade 6
  Because they will see that reading isn’t boring, it could be fun if you wanted it to be. I chose a train to show that reading a book could be fun, the train carts represent that you could read different things like letters, maps, newspapers and magazines and I drew signs to show where different ages of people could go to read or go on a ride.
  That you need to be able to read well in order to get anywhere is what the moving train is representing.

7th – 8th Grade Category

Corinne Andresen -Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, Grade 7
  I think that people will read more after seeing my poster, because the pictures show all the fun and interesting things in books and they are coming to life. I think that this will inspire people by showing them how much fun books can be.
  I think my poster shows that the importance of reading by showing what it can reveal to you. I think the fun graphics will excite people to read by showing what fun books can be.

Mason Caudle -Turner Middle School, Kansas City, Grade 7
  I thought Dr. Seuss bird was funny looking. The frying pan goes along with the cookbook. The colors I choose were from the bird in the book, they were bright and fun looking.
  If you can’t read words recipes and directions it will make it hard for you to learn to cook. Can’t read-can’t feed.

Katee Damashek -Burlington Middle School, Burlington, Grade 7
  I think people want to read more after seeing my poster because it sends a message that reading is important.
  I think the picture of the “Nook” reading a cookbook will help people understand that if you don’t read then you can’t cook.

Mallery Davenport  - Lebo Junior High, Lebo, Grade 7
  I chose people thinking and imagining things because I want people to know that they can escape their boring world. They can also fight a dragon, go to school at Hogwarts and many other things using their imagination.
  The bubbles showing people thinking and the stacks of books play a key role in making people understand more about reading.

Aislinn Davis -Oxford  Middle School, Overland Park, Grade 7
  I think people will want to read more after seeing my poster because the bright colors and artwork will grab their attention. My poster encourages kids to read with, “A good book is waiting for you to dive into.” And, “You can read anything, anywhere”. Most of the artwork are copies of characters from Dr. Seuss’ books, I drew cat in the hat because it is a widely known character of Dr. Seuss and I believe demonstrates reading.
  My poster also shows the importance of reading with, “Oh, the places you’ll go, when you read” (and the globe picture) because that demonstrates that when you read you can go far in the world. It also says, “Read for fun and learn” which shows that even though reading is fun it is also an important learning experience. It encourages reading often with, “You can read anything, anywhere” because it lists different ways or things to read, and kids might like to try new ways of reading so that they can find a way they enjoy and then, read more often.

Corey Dingess -Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, Grade 7
  I think the book around the circle explains a lot and the ocean refers to the metaphor “reading is an endless ocean of words”.
  Because it states reading is very important to succeed in life.

Claire Duke -Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, Grade 7
  I think people will read more after they see my poster because it shows them some places that are fun to read!
  It really will show people that if you want to be able to play a computer game or check the latest stats on your favorite team, you need to be able to read.

Rowena Forbes -Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, Grade 7
  I showed Dr. Seuss’s character holding a book because kids are drawn to his characters so by having the Cat in the Hat holding the book I hoped they would be drawn to books through reading his series. I called it “The Book in the Hat Comes Back” because I wanted people to know that they read everyday, but there are many great books to read so they should just reach out their hand for one (In the Hat) and they would find that it is fun to read. I made the book come out of the hat because in the book multiple cats come out of one hat. I meant it to stand for someone who, when finished reading one book, would think of simply taking another book out of the hat to read even more. I wanted to say “Comes Back” because it symbolized that they can read books and then reread the same books and they will have just as much fun, or more.
  In the book “The Cat in the Hat Comes Back” they had to go through all the cats in alphabetical order until they got to the last one. Meanwhile all these cats get to one place and then when Cat Z draws his hat everything is clean. That is the same way with books. Books help kid’s knowledge grow and the more they read the further they will get in having a successful life.

Ivy Lynn Garcia -Turner Middle School, Kansas City, Grade 7
  Because my picture is trying to say that you can go and imagine different things just by reading a book.
  The boy with a book and the boy has different things in his head because he is reading a book that gives him pictures in his head.

Jennifer Hodges - Lebo Junior High, Lebo, Grade 7
  Because I believe that not only explains the way of life but it is in all of the world not only English but Chinese and many, many more.
  “So B It” I could read that not only once but dozens of times. I learn something new every time I read it.

Dillon King -Turner Middle School, Kansas City, Grade 7
  Because your imagination will grow and you will challenge yourself to read different books that will put you in a new setting. You also had to read on my poster to understand what was happening. If you didn’t read the name of the boat it would have been almost useless. It also relates to real life, if you don’t read you won’t be able to go to many places.
  If you read well you won’t need to struggle on the words so much that you will be able to understand the plot. And if you read often it will help you to read better. And now the person reading in the poster is in the setting, shows how he understands the plot. If you can’t use your imagination then you won’t be going very far in life.

Chase Knighton -Turner Middle School, Kansas City, Grade 7
  I choose the words and graphics because they match together and are vibrant color to catch the person’s eye.
  It shows the importance of reading when it says “Read and you’ll be on your way up”. When I say up I mean by getting a better education, job and most important your life because it depends on reading.

Rachel Pfau -Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, Grade 7
  I think people will want to read more after seeing my poster because it shows that reading stimulated the mind, and you can read with a parent or friend. It shows that reading opens up your eyes to other places. These places can be explored alone, with a friend or sibling, or with parents.
  My poster helps people understand the importance of reading by showing what kids want to be someday. Reading  helps them understand these jobs in stories, the newspaper, magazines, or posters. My poster also shows that reading may help you be more creative in your thinking.

John Rillos -Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, Grade 7
  I think that people will want to read more after seeing my poster because my poster tells people about how reading can introduce you to millions of new things (example: On my poster, the Cat in the Hat says, “With reading, oh the places you’ll go! Half of the world you’ll know!).
  In my poster, I think that the sign that says “if you can read this, you are on your way up!” really helps people understand the importance of reading well. Also, what the child says while sitting on a pole in my drawing encourages reading.

Rebecca Simkins -Antioch Middle School, Shawnee Mission, Grade 7
  I think people will want to read more after seeing my poster because it has a nifty saying which might make them want to read and it has to do with Dr. Seuss which they might have already liked. They might have liked the characters I drew.
  On my poster, it says, “read in the morning, and read at night” so they will think they should read in the morning and at night and if they do that, they will get more practice which will help them become a better reader.

Karla Valdez -Turner Middle School, Kansas City, Grade 7
  I chose some pop-up books as images so people might think its fun. Also some pictures to describe certain things and I included the key to succeed which I thought was to Read!
  How fun it could be. What subjects might interest them. Some examples of what you might find in books and where books can take you.

Joe Diaz -Turner Middle School, Kansas City, Grade 8
  My Dr. Seuss people are on their way to Reading  Land. A place where they can find out all kind of information from books and having fun doing it.
  Reading  is like driving. You need to know how to read for navigating a map or learning about driving rules. Reading is important because it gives me the opportunity to go places in life, no matter where I choose to go.

Sarah Krueger - Lebo Junior High, Lebo, Grade 8
  I think that they will want to read more because, hopefully, more kids will start thinking about what profession they want to have. They’ll see what types of opportunities that reading offers and think that they’d have a better life and profession ahead of them if they read.
  All the types of jobs inspire them to read and the bright and different colors catch your attention.

Christina Nguyan -Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Gardner, Grade 8
  I think that people will want to read more after seeing my poster because I tried to make it fun and appealing to them and show them how important reading is and should be to everyone. I used Dr. Seuss graphics to tie him into my poster because it is his 104th birthday anniversary. I used a picture of the top rated books so that they could recognize the book by the cover and want to see what is so good about it. I wrote a quote by Dr. Seuss that was about reading because it was his 104th birthday anniversary and the poster is about reading.
  The quote I put my Dr. Seuss “The more you read the more you will know and the more you know the more places you’ll go” explains a lot of the importance of reading and I think is very true because if you can’t read then you will never get a job, drive, or even order food at a drive-thru. Because you use reading every single day of your life if you don’t know how you will hardly be able to go on. If you don’t know how to read I think you should learn because life will become a lot easier.

Erick Perez -Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Gardner, Grade 8
  They will see that even football players read, not only children have to.
  You can’t get nowhere in life without knowing how to read; if they want to be a football player they have to go to school and to go to school you have to read.

Ramon Zamora -Turner Middle School, Kansas City, Grade 8
  The fish I choose looked like he enjoyed reading. The glasses make the fish funny and studious. He looks like a first-class reader.
  It’s important to learn how to read because every thing in life revolves around reading. If you want to be a cook, fix a car or just enjoy a story, it all evolves reading. So, enjoy a good book and learn new things.

9th – And Above Category

Annelise Masters -Burlington High School, Burlington, Grade 11
  Reading  is so important for nearly everything we do from the youngest age up until now and on into the future. Dr. Seuss established his credibility for truly understanding this. He made reading so much fun. That same exciting, bold and intriguing quality is what I’ve tried to emulate. The characters from his books and bright colors appeal to younger children, while the bold quality and patriotic nature draws the older eye in as well. Dr. Seuss’s quote from the featured book backs up the importance of reading while keeping to rhyming, an appealing attribute of books for all ages.
  Again, the cheeriness proves reading not to be merely drudgery, but actually something to be enjoyed. The quote that connects how we can steer ourselves any direction we choose with reading is what can really make people think. If reading can be enjoyed and help their future out, what is holding them back, right?

Shayla Niermeier -Hoxie High School, Hoxie, Grade 11
  People will want to read more because my drawing is different and unique. The Key in Life is Read. I thought it as a cool saying. My poster gives you a sense of knowing that the only way in life is to get better is read. You learn a lot by reading and its fun.

Jessica Campbell -Hoxie High School, Hoxie, Grade 12
  The phrase I used on my poster was from the book One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss. It is one of my favorite books because it is a little bit wacky. The quote always makes me laugh and it has stuck in my memory and I want other people to share in my joy. I also used bright colors because I, personally, would rather look at an exciting colorful poster rather than a dull black and white one.
  The children in the book like to read and are happy to do so, so the people who look at this poster should want to share in their pleasure. The girl in the pink shirt has a look of shock and excitement and the boy is smiling so I think this poster could convey a sense of happiness that reading provides people.

Sarah Samuelson - Burlington High School, Burlington, Grade 12
  It is important for people to read because it helps the brain to develop. Simply stated, reading makes your brain smarter. And not just because what you read provides new information, but because reading is like a form of exercise to make your brain stronger and faster. It “Fuels your brain” so that it can do more. Since cars and “fuel” are universal to everyone in our culture and all understand the connections between them, the message will be clear to all readers why reading is important.

The idea was simple. Back in 1997 the National Education Association created a national day to celebrate reading by encouraging people to stop what they're doing and share a book with a child. Why? Because reading is the key to lifelong learning.

For Kansas NEA leaders and members, dreaming up the idea of a reading day was easy. The question: how do we get the public engaged? With members, local communitites and the media, KNEA's Read Across Kansas encourages the public to read and learn.

In celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday every March, KNEA encourages everyone to look at Kansas in a different way.  "Architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, music, customs, geography, history, people... Kansas - It's as big as you think and it's definitely worth reading about," said KNEA President Blake West.

The theme for 2008: Parents. Parnterships. The Power of Reading. KNEA is challenging Kansas public schools students to create a poster about reading.

KNEA asks everyone to take a literary tour of Kansas. (See resources at right ) Read about the people and places of the Sunflower State. To help do that, KNEA partnered with the Kansas Department of Tourism, area reenactors, various local Chambers of Commerce and museums.

KNEA has worked with the musicians across the state, local museums and chambers of commerce, the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, NASA, Kansas State University, George Brett, University of Kansas, the Kansas High School Rodeo Association, among others.  Supporting our efforts are Cox Communications, the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, school and local libraries and many community groups.

From Elkhart to Atchison and St. Francis to Baxter Springs, readers all over Kansas rev up for the largest statewide reading event. Thousands of kids and adults participate every year in everything from poetry slams and reader theaters to reading parades and community leader "read-ins". There are events like the "infamous" Bodacious Book-Cart Drill Team. Organized by KNEA member and librarian Christie Snyder, this highly acclaimed drill team of teachers, two bankers and a local business owner performed for the St. John Jubilee Parade, "booging" their carts adorned in READ posters around the town square in astoundingly meticulous form.

"It's events like this that show our students that we adults think reading is important…and fun," West said.

Sponsored by the NEA and Dr. Seuss Enterprises along with 45 national partner organizations, "Read Across" asks Americans, young and old, to open a book and celebrate reading. NEA's Read Across America is a year-long program designed to get kids excited about reading that culminates every year on Dr. Theodor "Ted" Seuss' birthday. Reading events take place in literally every school district in Kansas every year. Events in all 50 states annually attracted more than 45 million readers of all ages.

Find information and links on the NEA Web site: www.nea.org/readacross. You can also pledge to participate and sign up for NEA's free E-newsletter. You'll also find "Lea con NEA," a new program designed to reach out to Spanish-speaking students.

KNEA appreciates the support of all its partners in this project. We especially appreciate the photos provided by the Kansas Department of Tourism. Photos of Martin and Osa Johnson, George Washington Carver, Langston Hughes, James Naismith, Dwight Eisenhower and Eva Jessye are courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society.

The photo of Vivian Vance is courtesy of The Other Side of Ethel Mertz by Frank Castelluccio and Alvin Walker.

The photo of Emmett Kelly is courtesy of the Emmett Kelly Museum, http://www.emmettkellymuseum.com.

The Garden of Eden photo is courtesy of Jon Blumb, www.jonblumb.com.

Other photos were provided by Mark Desetti, Joyce Reid and Cynthia Menzel.

Beginning with 1 on the left side of the photo

1 - Osa Johnson (1894-1953) and Martin Johnson (1884-1937)
Chanute native Osa Johnson and her husband, Martin, wrote books and produced movies during a life of adventure in Africa. From 1918's Among the Cannibals of the South Pacific to 1932's Congorilla, the Johnsons created films for armchair adventurers. After Martin's death in a plane crash in 1937, Osa continued on the lecture circuit and returned to the jungle.

2 - Emmett Kelley (1898-1979)
Emmett Kelley of Sedan, Kansas, was one of the world's most recognizable circus clowns. His work has inspired future generations of entertainers.

3 - George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
One of the world's most important scientists, Carver, the son of slaves, lived in Fort Scott, Paola, Olathe, and Spring Hill, Kansas, before moving to Minneapolis, Kansas, where he attended high school. Carver later homesteaded in western Ness County near the town of Beeler. He later went on to teach at Iowa State University and then at the
Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Most school children recall that George Washington Carver found nearly 300
uses for the peanut.

4 - Langston Hughes (1902-1967)
Langston Hughes spent his childhood in Topeka and Lawrence, Kansas, where he was a regular visitor to the Carnegie Library. During the 1920s and 30s Hughes was an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance. His poetry is familiar to all students of literature. He traveled extensively and even worked as a journalist reporting on the Spanish Civil War.

5 - Vivian Vance (1912-1979)
Actress Vivian Vance was a native of Cherryvale, Kansas. While having starred in a variety of movies, Vance is best known as Lucy Ricardo's friend and neighbor, Ethel Mertz, in the classic television show I Love Lucy.

6 - James Naismith (1861-1939)
A native of Canada, Naismith moved to the United States where he invented the game of basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts. He joined the faculty of the University of Kansas in 1898, where he served as a member of the physical education faculty, chaplain and basketball coach. He lived in Lawrence until his death in 1939.

7 - Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)
Dwight David Eisenhower grew up in Abilene, Kansas, and later attended the United States Military Academy. During World War II he rose to Supreme Allied Commander in the European Theater. Eisenhower was elected president in 1952 and served two terms in the White House.

8 - Eva Jessye (1895-1992)
Eva Jessye, a singer, actress, composer, choral director, author and poet lived in Coffeyville, Caney, Iola and Pittsburg, Kansas. Jessye saw the opportunity to preserve African American music by arranging and recording spirituals in concert tradition. She published a collection of traditional songs, My Spirituals, in the late 1920s. Jessye marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and her choir was the official choir for King's 1963 civil rights march.

Kansas Places

10,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve - Strong City
The Tallgrass Reserve is the only unit of the National Park system dedicated to the rich natural and cultural history of the tallgrass prairie.
http://www.parktrust.org/zb-exp.html

Amish Community - Yoder
Folks in Yoder still live the life of simpler times. The town was established in 1889 and is today an exciting mix of the past and present, where horses compete with cars on the roads.
http://www.yoderkansas.com/

Big Basin - Ashland
This nearly 2,000 acre prairie preserve on the edge of the Red Hills region in southwestern Kansas is a little known treasure. A National Natural Landmark, it is a very beautiful, peaceful and unique place.
http://www.kansasphototour.com/bigbasin.htm

Big Brutus - West Mineral
The giant Big Brutus is the second largest shovel in the world. It stands as a reminder of the past and a tribute to the region's mining heritage. The museum is open year-round.
http://www.bigbrutus.org

Big Pool - Finnup Park, Garden City
Take a dip in the "World's Largest Municipal Concrete Swimming Pool. The "Big Dipper" opened in 1922 and was renovated in 1979. It matches a football field in size and holds approximately 2.6 million gallons of water.
http://www.garden-city.org/pool.html

Black Jack Battlefield - Baldwin City
While the Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861, the Battle of Black Jack was the first of several skirmishes occurring prior to the official opening of the war. Through a concerted effort, the Battlefield was saved from residential development in 2003. Through an equally concerted effort, a dedicated group of individuals is working to have the park ready to be dedicated on June 2, 2006, the 150th anniversary of the Battle.
http://www.blackjackbattlefield.org/

Boot Hill Museum - Dodge City
Miss Kitty still runs the Longbranch Saloon and gunslingers still have high-noon shootouts. The museum is an educational, historical institution with just enough fun added for the whole family to enjoy.
http://www.boothill.org/

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site - Topeka
On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court announced the decision that forever changed race relations in the United States. Today, there is a national historic site to commemorate the landmark decision. There are lots of teacher resources and hands-on activities for students.
http://brownvboard.org

Buffalo Soldier Memorial - Fort Leavenworth
In 1866 two black regiments, the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, were formed at Fort Leavenworth. Today, a monument stands in tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers.
http://garrison.leavenworth.army.mil/sites/about/Buffalo.asp

Castle Rock - Quinter
One of the big attractions of these chalk formations is that they are undeveloped. It almost feels like you have discovered them. However, they are fragile and may not last many more years.
http://www.kansastravel.org/castlerock.htm

Chalk Pyramids - Oakley
Oakley's 70 feet tall chalk formations and pyramids were created 80 million years ago when this area was part of a vast inland sea.
http://www.kansastravel.org/monumentrocks.htm

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge - east of Great Bend
Great Bend is a birding and wildlife paradise; the refuge is home for 320 of the 650 bird species living in the country. The area is considered the largest marsh in the interior of the United States and is the most important ecosystem in Kansas.
http://www.cheyennebottoms.net/

Cimarron National Grassland - Elkhart
A 108,000-acre preserve that is a complete ecosystem of native wildlife and plants and is the largest area of public land in Kansas.
http://www.lasr.net/pages/park.php?Park_ID=KS10sp001

Coronado Heights Park - Lindsborg
The Coronado Heights is a dominant geological feature of the Smoky Valley, rising 300 feet above the surrounding plains. The park is a historic place and a treasure for residents and visitors.
http://www.lindsborg.org/coronado_heights.htm

Dalton Gang Museum - Meade
Visit the house where The Dalton Gang hid out from the law. The home belonged to their sister and it had a tunnel running from the house to the barn. The barn holds a small museum of Dalton Gang history.
http://www.travelks.com/destfindcity.asp?region=6&city=161&x=13&y=13

Dorothy's Yellow Brick Road - Liberal
In the Land of Oz Museum, guides dressed as Dorothy offer tours down the Yellow Brick Road through 5,000 square feet of animated entertainment - good and bad witches, the Munchkins, talking trees, winged monkeys, and of course, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion are all there to enthrall children of all ages.
http://www.cityofliberal.com/thingstodo/attractions/Dorothy.html

Dwight D Eisenhower Library and Museum - Abilene
The Eisenhower Library and museum is located about 2 miles south of I-70 on K-15. The complex consists of five buildings located on 22 acres. They include the Family Home, Museum, Library, Place of Meditation and Visitors Center.
http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/travel.htm

El Quartelejo Ruins - Lake Scott State Park, 12 miles north on Hwy 83
El Quartelejo was the northern most Indian pueblo and the only known pueblo in Kansas. The ruins are a National Historic Landmark and contain a reconstruction and historical information.
http://www.wildwestcountry.com/countylistings/scott.html

Emmett Kelly Museum - Sedan
The Emmett Kelly Museum is dedicated to the fond memory of Emmett Kelly Sr., a native son of Sedan, Kansas. The Emmett Kelly Museum was established in June of 1967. In September the same year Emmett Kelly himself made a special trip to Sedan for the official opening to commemorate the occasion.
http://www.emmettkellymuseum.com/menu.html

Fick Fossil & History Museum - Oakley
The museum is free and has a number of interesting large fossils from the area, many old tools, mineral specimens and folk art.
http://www.discoveroakley.com/Document.aspx?Mode=Vies&id=1353

First Territorial Capitol - Fort Riley
Step inside this wonderful stone warehouse where proslavery forces tried to guide the fate of Kansas Territory when the first Territorial legislature convened in July 1855. Contemplate the territorial and national conflict over slavery and see how people lived on the Kansas frontier. It takes very little imagination to step back to the 1850s and get a feel of what it must have been like here.
http://www.kshs.org/places/firstterritorial/

Fort Larned National Historic Site - Larned
This military outpost was established in 1859 on the vast prairie in western Kansas near the midpoint of the Santa Fe Trail. Plains Indians, alarmed by the stream of caravans disrupting their way of life, resisted passage through their homelands. The fort served as a bureau for the Indian Agency during much of the 1860s and was a key military base of operations during the Indian War of 1868-1869. Today, with nine restored buildings, it is the best preserved Indian Wars military post on the Santa Fe Trail.
http://larned.org/tourism/ftlarned.html

Fort Leavenworth - Leavenworth
The fort was established in 1827 by Col. Henry Leavenworth to protect travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. The oldest U.S. military prison (est. 1874) and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College are at the fort. The Buffalo Soldier Monument honors the post-Civil War African-American regiments that served in the West.
http://www.leavenworth.army.mil/

Fort Scott - Downtown, Fort Scott
The thirty-one year span of history interpreted at Fort Scott National Historic Site is perhaps the most significant era of our nation's history. Fort Scott National Historic Site consists of 20 historic structures, a parade ground and five acres of restored tallgrass prairie.
http://www.milebymile.com/main/United_States/ Kansas/national_parks/Fort_Scott.html

Garden of Eden - Lucas
Samuel Perry Dinsmoor had been a Civil War soldier, schoolteacher and farmer when he moved to Lucas, in 1905. The Garden of Eden is a bizarre collection of sculptures he created on his property, illustrating his views on religion and politics. Built with a combination of limestone and cement "logs," the cabin consists of 11 rooms and serves today as a museum where visitors can see old photographs and newspaper clippings of Dinsmoor and his family and examine several pieces of furniture he made.
http://discoverypub.com/columns/ken/twk_2004_10.html

George Washington Carver Homestead - 1 mile south of Beeler
George Washington Carver, 1864-1943, was one of the great scientists of America. He rose from slavery to fame as his discoveries revolutionized agriculture in the south.
http://www.kansasphototour.com/carver.htm

Hollenberg Pony Express Station - Hanover
You can almost hear the thundering of horse hooves and the creak of wagons as Pony Express riders and hundreds of pioneers made a stop at historic Hollenberg Pony Express Station. Hollenberg is the only unaltered Pony Express station remaining in its original location.
https://www.kshs.org/places/hollenberg/index.htm

Horace Greeley Museum - Tribune
The museum was once the Greeley County Courthouse and is built of native stone in 1890. One of three of the oldest courthouses in Kansas, it became a museum in 1975 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in July, 1976.
http://www.wildwestcountry.com/countylistings/greeley.html

Hot and Cold Water Towers - Canton
The town's hot and cold water towers always make good pictures.
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Canton/

John Brown Historic Site - Osawatomie
Witness pioneer life where Reverend Samuel and Florella Adair struggled to survive on the Kansas frontier while maintaining their Abolitionist principles.
http://www.kshs.org/places/johnbrown/
http://www.osawatomieks.org/attractions.html

Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center - Hutchinson
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center inspires interest in space exploration by providing exhibits and hands-on experiences that are educational and entertaining.
http://www.cosmo.org/

Keystone Gallery - Oakley
The Keystone Gallery is a fossil museum and art gallery. Visitors can go on fossil hunting tours and view rock and mineral specimens. The site is surrounded by a 400-head buffalo herd and has a great view of Monument Rocks, eight miles to the east in Gove County.
http://www.keystonegallery.com/

Laura Ingalls Wilder's home - Independence
The Little House on the Prairie Historical Site is located 13 miles southwest of Independence, just off Highway 75. It has an authentic log cabin located near the original site where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived as a child. It also includes an 1872 schoolhouse, post office and gift shop. Little House on the Prairie is open March 22 through October 31.
http://www.littlehouseontheprairie.com/

Little Pyramids - north of Scott City
The Pyramids are outstanding geological formations created 80 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. Fossil shark teeth may be found in the area.
http://www.kansastravel.org/littlepyramids.htm

Little Sweden USA - Lindsborg
Lindsborg is a blend of Swedish and American culture. Its unique shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and festivals create a charming atmosphere.
http://www.lindsborg.org/

Madonna of the (Oregon) Trail - Council Grove
This monument stands on the east bank of the Neosho River at Main Street (U.S. Route 56). "Here east meets west, when the 'Old Santa Fe Trail' was established August 10, 1825, at a council between the United States Commissioners and Osage Indians."
http://www.baxtercountyonline.com/arkdar/madonna.htm

Marais des Cygnes Massacre - 6 miles north of Pleasanton on Hwy. US 69
This Kansas Historical Site is just off the beaten path, but worthy of a visit. At this site in 1858, 11 Free-State men were herded into a ravine, lined up and shot in cold blood by a group of 30 or so Pro-Slavery raiders. Five were killed, five were wounded and one escaped injury by pretending to be dead. It fueled the image of "Bleeding Kansas."
http://www.kansasphototour.com/massacre.htm
http://www.kshs.org/places/marais/

Martin and Osa Johnson Museum - Chanute
A national and state award winning museum in a beautifully renovated depot features the adventurers Martin and Osa Johnson. An exhibit and program recount the Johnson's numerous travels to Africa, Borneo and the South Seas. The museum also includes an exhibit of West African ethnographic art and items from daily life, a large natural history library and art collection, temporary exhibits and the popular Museum Store.
http://www.safarimuseum.com/

Maxwell Game Preserve - Canton
In Battlehill township of McPherson County lies a piece of preserved natural prairie comprised of rolling hills, creeks, springs and beautiful prairie grasses and wildflowers. It is the only location in Kansas where public herds of both bison and elk can be viewed in a native prairie environment. It is home to the State's largest public herd of bison and is located in the very southeastern tip of the scenic Smoky Hills.
http://www.cyberkraft.com/maxwell/

Mennonite Museums - Hillsboro, North Newton, Goessel and Halstead
Settlers on the region are documented in museums that preserve the artifacts from early households, farms, schools, churches and the hospital in the Mennonite community.
Goessel:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/museums/Goessel/
Halstead:
http://historicalsociety.halsteadkansas.com/
Hillsboro:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Hillsboro/museum.html
North Newton:
http://www.bethelks.edu/kauffman/

Mine Creek Battlefield - Pleasanton
The Battle of Mine Creek was fought on Oct. 25, 1864, between the rear guard of the Confederate Army and an advance of about 3,000 Union horsemen. Nearly 7,000 soldiers formed a defensive line more than a half-mile long in one of the largest cavalry battles of the Civil War. It was the largest battle fought in Kansas.
http://www.minecreek.org/
http://www.kshs.org/places/minecreek/

Monument Rocks - Scott City
Traveling through Kansas presents an opportunity to see many natural landmarks that remain as they were when pioneers made their way west. One of the more unique sites is Monument Rocks, sometimes referred to as Chalk, Smoky or Little Pyramids.
http://www.uncommondays.com/states/ks/places/monumentrocks.htm

Mushroom Rock State Park - Kanopolis Lake
The strangely shaped rocks are made of sandstone deposited along the edge of a Cretaceous sea about 100 million years ago. From the caves and crevices of Horsethief Canyon to giant stone "mushrooms" rising from the prairie, Kanopolis and nearby Mushroom Rocks state parks are places of rugged beauty.
http://www.naturalkansas.org/kanopolis.htm
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/state_parks/locations/mushroom_rock

National Teacher Hall of Fame - Emporia
The Hall of Fame Museum features old school desks, class attendance records, teacher contracts, antique textbooks and other artifacts representing the early days of teaching. The exhibition center tells the "story" of teaching from its beginnings to the present and a look to the future. Nominate an outstanding teacher!
http://www.nthf.org/index.htm

Nicodemus Historical Site - Nicodemus
Nicodemus was named for a legendary figure who came to America on a slave ship and later purchased his freedom. The town symbolizes the pioneering spirit of African Americans who dared to leave the war-torn south to experience freedom and self government. It is the only western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction period following the Civil War.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/OZ-Nicodemus.html

Old Cowtown Museum - Wichita
Located on 25 acres off the Chisholm Trail, Old Cowtown Museum is a unique, open-air living history museum which re-creates Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas from 1865 to 1880.
http://oldcowtown.org/

Old Shawnee Town - Shawnee
Old Shawnee Town contains a combination of original historic structures and replicas of buildings from the late 1800s to early 1900s, including the first structure, the 1843 territorial jail and the Trading Post, which serves as the main entrance and houses traveling historical exhibits.
http://www.cityofshawnee.org/ShawneeTown/shawneetown.htm

Pawnee Indian Village - Republic
As many as 2,000 Pawnees lived in this village of more than 40 lodges. The museum enclosed the excavated floor of one of the largest lodges, with the remains of other houses dotting the grounds. Imagine what life could have been as you explore the earth lodges and objects that were left behind.
http://www.nckcn.com/homepage/republic_co/pawnee.htm
http://www.kshs.org/places/pawneeindian/

Pawnee Rock - Pawnee Rock
For travelers on the Santa Fe Trail, this sandstone citadel, Pawnee Rock, was one of the most prominent landmarks on their long journey.
http://www.kshs.org/places/pawneerock/index.htm

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge - Stafford
The Quivira National Wildlife Refuge lies in a transition zone between the eastern and western prairies. Quivira is a quiet, almost-never-see-a-human experience enjoyed by naturalists, photographers and wildlife lovers.
http://www.lasr.net/pages/park.php?Park_ID=KS02sp002
http://www.cheyennebottoms.net/about_quivira.html

Rock City - Minneapolis
The rocks at Rock City are huge sandstone concretions. In an area about the size of two football fields, 200 rocks, some as large as houses, dot the landscape. There is no other place in the world where there are so many concretions of such giant size.
http://www.minneapolisksorg.org/untitled3.html

Rolling Hills Refuge Wildlife Conservation Center - Salina
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure is a wildlife encounter that includes a rare white rhino, four massive polar bears and a giant walrus. It is both a world-class zoo with over 300 animals and an immersive museum with seven world regions from the tropical rainforest to the polar regions. Rolling Hills is open year round and located just west of Salina on I-70.
http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/

Sandsage Bison Range and Wildlife Area - Garden City
Formerly known as the Finney Game Refuge, the 3,670-acre bison range is home to the oldest publicly-owned bison herd in Kansas.
http://www.naturalkansas.org/sandsage.htm
http://www.fosbr.com/index.htm

Santa Fe Trail - Council Grove
For many years Council Grove was the only trading post between Independence, Missouri, and Santa Fe, New Mexico along the Santa Fe Trail. The rendezvous of westward bound travelers and traders who were crossing the plains, the region from Council Grove to Santa Fe was the most hazardous part of the trail.
http://www.ku.edu/heritage/trails/sfthist.html
http://www.stjohnks.net/santafetrail/flint/cgtimeline.html

Sternberg Museum of Natural History - Hays
The Sternberg Museum recreates the Cretaceous period through dioramas of life-size dinosaurs. A highlight is the collection of fossilized prehistoric flying reptiles. The Discovery Room contains a giant spider model, computer work stations, live animals and hands-on activities.
http://www.kansastravel.org/sternbergmuseum.htm

Twin Peaks - Medicine Lodge, Barber County
Take a guided tour of the Gypsum Hills, once roamed by Native Americans, as you view area legends such as the 1,785 feet tall Twin Peaks and Flower Pot Mountain.
http://www.medicinelodge.com/tourism.html

U.S. Cavalry Museum - Fort Riley
The building that houses the Museum was once the headquarters used by General George Armstrong Custer. It chronicles the colorful history of the American Mounted Horse Soldier from the Revolutionary War to 1950.
http://www.uscavalry.org

William Allen White House - Emporia
Visit the showplace home of William Allen White, nationally known newspaperman and author. From the 1890s through World War II, White influenced state and national politics through his writings from the heartland town of Emporia.
http://www.kshs.org/places/white

William Inge Collection - Independence
The boyhood home of William Inge, the playwright whose works include "Bus Stop" and "Picnic," is located at 514 N. 4th Street. The William Inge Collection began in 1965 with the gathering of press clippings, memorabilia and books.
http://www.ingefestival.org/ingecollection.htm
http://www.indkschamber.org/things_to_do_in_independence.htm

World's Largest Atomic Cannon - Junction City
The cannon was designed to provide heavy fire support to the field army and also to project nuclear rounds with great accuracy on the battlefield. It was in service from 1952-1963.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/KSJUNatomic.html

World's Largest Ball of Twine - Cawker City
Frank Stoeber started this ball of twine on his farm in 1953. By 1957 it weighed 5,000 pounds, stood 8 feet high and had 1,175,180 feet of twine on it. Stoeber gave the ball to Cawker City in 1961 before his death in 1974. Today it weighs almost 9 tons.
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/towns/Cawker/twine.html

World's Largest Hand-Dug Well - Greensburg
The story of the World's Largest Hand-Dug Well began in the 1880s when both the Santa Fe and Rock Island railroads were laying tracks across the plains of Kansas. A large supply of water was needed for the steam locomotives and for the people of the area. The only dependable source of water was from a well.
http://www.bigwell.org/bigwell.html

World's Largest Easel - Goodland
Driving to Goodland on I-70, you can't miss the Van Gogh Sunflower Project. This 24x32 foot painting is displayed on an 80-foot high easel.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/KSGOOeasel.html

To enhance your Kansas journeys, check out these links (Thanks to Kansas Explorers Club).

Amazing 100 Miles

http://www.amazing100miles.com

Flyover People

http://www.flyoverpeople.net

Kansas Art

http://www.discoverkansasarts.com
http://www.ku.edu/heritage/artists

I-70 Association

http://www.visitkansas-i70.com

Kansas Cowboys

http://www.kansascattletowns.com
http://www.droversmercantile.com

Kansas Wildlife & Parks

http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us

Kansas Genealogy

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb

Kansas on the Net

http://kotn.org

Kansas Photo Tour

http://www.kansasphototour.com

Kansas RV Campgrounds

http://www.kansasrvparks.org
http://www.ksrvparks.com

Kansas Scenic Byways

http://www.ksbyways.org

Kansas State Historical Society

http://www.kshs.org

Kansas Travel & Tourism

http://www.travelks.com

Natural Kansas

http://www.naturalkansas.org

Solomon Valley Highway 24 Heritage Alliance

http://hwy24.org

South Central Kansas

http://www.sckstourims.com

Southeast Kansas

http://www.sekinc.org/tourism/attractions.htm

Wild West Country (southwest Kansas)

http://www.wildwestcountry.com

Kansas Sampler Foundation

http://www.kansassampler.org

Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle - 1887 -1933
Roscoe, one of nine children, was the baby of the family who weighed a reported 16 pounds at birth. Born in Smith Center, Kansas, his family moved to California when he was a year old. At 8, he would appear on the stage. His first part was that of a picaninny kid with the Webster-Brown Stock Company. From then until 1913, Roscoe was on the stage performing everything from acrobatic acts, to clown, to singer.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000779/

John R. "Doc" Brinkley, 1885-1941
Brinkley, of Milford, famous for his goat gland transplants, was also a gubernatorial candidate and pioneer radio broadcaster He was both a controversial medical doctor who experimented with goat glands as a means of cu