January 29, 1861, is the day Kansas became a state, joining the union as the 34th state. Kansas children have celebrated this day since 1877. In honor of Kansas Day, we’ve selected the following books that are about Kansas, set in Kansas, and/or by Kansans.
DBC17268 The loudest, fastest, best drummer in Kansas by Marguerite W. Davol
Maggie saves the town of Serena, Kansas with her loud, fast drumming. For grades 2-4.
DBC17258 Magnificient Midnight’s marvelous memories: a loving relationship between a young woman and her therapy horse by Tally L. Russell
Tally was compelled to write this book to share her experiences with Therapeutic Horseback Riding. Tally had ridden horses since she was 4 years old and longed to have a horse of her own. Welcoming Midnight into her life was a dream come true for Tally. She conveys the story of the incredible 10 1/2 years she and Midnight shared together. An underlying theme of the book is the mindset of how there are infinite possibilities when one believes in oneself, and that one's greatest dreams can come true! For grades 2-4.
DBC15020 Follow me down to Nicodemus Town by A. LaFaye
When Dede sees a notice offering land for black people in Kansas, her family decides to quit sharecropping and become homesteading pioneers. For grades K-3.
DBC15001 From Emporia: the story of William Allen White by Beverly Olson Buller
He won two Pulitzer prizes, he received honorary degrees from Harvard and seven other universities, he advised presidents and he was acclaimed by Life magazine as "an American institution." Yet for William Allen White, home was always Emporia, Kansas, and his primary role was editor of the Emporia Gazette. In a half-century on the job, his engaging and perceptive writing brought the world to small-town Kansas and small-town Kansas to the world. For grades 4-7.
DBC09757 Little Jayhawk tale by Steven Kveton
What do you want to be when you grow up? Kansas fans young and old will love this tale of how Jay became inspired to become the Kansas mascot. For grades K-3.
DBC08746 Teddy, the Ghost Dog of Red Rocks by Jerilynn Henrikson
Teddy, the William Allen White family's fox terrier died in 1923. In this mix of history and imagination, the author uses Teddy's ghost to tell his version of the family history. Family members, neighbors, and state historical society employees have experienced Teddy's "presence" at Red Rocks to this day. Using WAW's own writings and historical accounts of his life, the author has created an engaging tale by filling in the blanks with her own knowledge of canine behavior and familiarity with the community of Emporia. Teddy, the Ghost Dog of Red Rocks is amusing, engaging, and historically relevant! For grades 3-6.
DBC08745 Cats for Kansas by Le Grand Henderson
A tall tale about old Gabe Slade, the trader, who brought the first cats to Kansas. For grades K-3.
DB 100968 The Amelia Six: an Amelia Earhart mystery by Kristin L. Gray
Eleven-year-old Millie and five other girls, snowed in at Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kansas, are on a scavenger hunt when the lights go out and Amelia's aviator goggles go missing. For grades 4-7. 2020.