Serial story on Kansas history kicks off

Kansas Press Association member newspapers should have published the first installment of the 16-chapter serial story called “There’s No Place Like Home" last week.

It is available free to Kansas Press Association members. It won first place in the Midwest Circulation Management Association’s contest for Newspaper in Education (NIE) promotion.

If your newspaper missed publishing the first installment the week of Aug. 22to 28 and wants to run the series, you might consider running the first two installments this week to get caught up.

The story won first place in the Midwest Circulation Management Association’s contest for Newspaper in Education (NIE) promotion. It was written by the award-winning children’s book author, Eunice Boeve of Phillipsburg. It was illustrated by Michael Meade from Salina with funding provided by the Kansas Newspaper Foundation.

Go here to download the stories.

Jeanie Warner, NIE coordinator for Harris Enterprises, said: “This serial story is a great way for you to increase your NIE, single copy and general circulation."

The historical-fiction serial story follows the adventures of 10-year-old twins Jack and Mollie. They are whisked away in a time machine that was built by their parents and experience events in Kansas history as they happen.

“Not only is this story enjoyable to read, but it also provides Kansas history and character education lessons, and a teacher’s guide is provided,” Warner said.

“Since this is the year we’re celebrating the 150th birthday of Kansas, we thought this story would be especially timely,” said Doug Anstaett, executive director of KPA.

The stories are designed to run beginning the week of Aug. 22 and must be completed by Dec. 22. They have been uploaded to KPA’s website on the Member Services page.

“Jeanie believes there are also sponsorship possibilities for the series,” Anstaett said. “You could ask a local business or businesses to sponsor the series and it could also become a project this fall at your area schools.”

The Lawrence Journal-World already has sold a sponsorship for the entire series.

“In this sesquecentennial year for our state, this is an excellent opportunity for Kansas newspapers to educate young people about some of the state’s history in a fun way for both young people and adults,” Anstaett said. “KPA encourages every Kansas newspaper to strongly consider this series. Studies show these are real readership boosters when they are promoted well."