The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 27

SAUNA JOURNAL encore! FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006 D3 Read state Kansas Center for the Book celebrates notable books about Kansas or by Kansas authors By GARY DEMUTH Saliim Journal Boeve Living in the small town of Phillipsburg, author Eunice Boeve doesn't have a chance to meet many other writers. That's why she was thrilled to have her most recent book, "Maggie Rose and Sass," chosen as a 2006 Kansas Notable Book. Boeve's book, written for young adults, was one of 15 chosen by a committee compiled by the Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas in Topeka. Committee members were instructed to choose up to 20 books written by Kansans or about Kansas that were published in the previous year. Books chosen include fiction, nonfiction, biography, poetry and even a graphic novel.

Winning authors will be honored during a special presentation at the first Kansas Book Festival Sept. 29-30 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita. For Boeve, being honored at the book festival is a rare opportunity to exchange literary talk with her peers. "In Phillipsburg, there's not a lot of other people who come out here to write, so it will be nice to meet other authors," said Boeve, a retired speech para-professional who has published several books for young adults. Boeve's book concerns two girls, one white and one black, who in 1888 meet in a fictional Kansas town based on Nicodemus, a Graham County town settled by ex-slaves.

The girls clash because of long-held racist beliefs, but then they learn to resolve their differences, Boeve said. Boeve considers her book's selection a validation of her work. "You write books not only for your own satisfaction but to be read by others, too," Boeve said. "An honor like this is a way to get the books out into communities, especially in libraries and the school system." Tour will celebrate classic Kansas book Registration ends Saturday for event in Osborne County By The Hays Daily News OSBORNE Time to register for the Sod and Stubble Country Tour on Sept. 16, hosted by Osborne County Tourism is closing in fast.

Anyone wanting to sign up for the historical journey, which includes a meal, need to do so by Saturday at (785) 346-2715. The event begins at 2 p.m. at the county's newest bed and breakfast, Riverbend Bed and Breakfast, 3 'A miles east of Osborne at 745 County Road 388 Drive. It's owned by Joe Hubbard. Von Rothenberger, secretary of the organization, said this is the 70th anniversary of the first publication of "Sod and Stubble," a tale of the homesteading period of the Great Plains written by John Ise in 1936.

Rothenberger said the book sells in more than 23 tries and is a textbook at 34 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. "The book gives people a great insight into what people were like back then," he said. There are 22 sites on the 20- mile, two-hour tour. Some of the stops are the New Haven, colony 1870 homestead, the 130-year-old Rose Valley Church and cemetery, Ise School House and Baertsch Grove, the largest stand of original grove trees in northern Kansas.

Also on that list is Downs Cemetery, where most of the famous people in book are buried. At around 6 p.m., a potluck meal will follow at the Rose Valley United Methodist Church. Tuesday, October 10 pm Tho StiefeiTlieatre ForThe PerfoimingArts Tickets Available: 800-58S-3737 GMJUNmA Sat. September 23,7:30 p.in. Combining stunning acrobatics, visual effects, physical comedy and inventive choreograpliy, Galumpha brings to life a world of imagination, beauty, muscle ai icl meiiimenl consistently bringing audiences to Ihcir leel.

"Galumpha" will try anything and the results range from wildly entertaining to absolutely ridiculous, but their strength, agility and underlying grace is unflagging and amazing." San Francisco Chronicle www.gaiumpha.com AN Exi'iaiii -KCi' I 'oiicn THE cStiefelTheate FOR niE MIS Ticltets: $28 21,14 NEW EXPANDED BOX OFFICE HOURS! NOON Tickets available at the Stiefel Theatre Box Office, by phone at 1-800-585-3737; or online at www.startlcketsplus.com www.stiefeltheatre.org For more information call 785 827-1998 151 S. Santa Fe, Sallna Promoting books Promoting books by Kansans or about Kansas is the mission of the Kansas Center for the Book, a program of the State Library of Kansas. For 18 years, the center, housed in the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library, focused on compiling book collections. Last year, the center moved to the State Library and changed its focus to book promotion and programming, said Roy Bird, director of Kansas Center for the Book. "We want to promote Kansas authors, books about Kansas, libraries, booksellers and literary events in Kansas," he said The committee that selected the books reviewed more than 70 titles published in 2005 by Kansas authors or on Kansas subjects.

Fifteen titles were recommended for final approval by State Librarian Christie Brandau. "I was surprised by the quality of all the books," Bird said. "There were some books 1 wish were on this list that didn't make it. It was not easy to select them." Of the 15 finalists, 11 are Kansas residents, he said. Selected authors will be invited to attend a special Black, White and Read All Over Ball on Sept.

29. Embossed gold foil stickers have been printed to be placed on Notable Book titles by booksellers and libraries. Bird said. Inman resident Marci Penner, whose travel book, "Kansas Guidebook for Explorers," was chosen by the committee, said being selected a Kansas Notable Book will help give her a greater readership. "It's a different kind of writing, doing guidebook entries," said Penner, who visited 627 incorporated Kansas towns and cities to research her book.

"I'm thrilled to be on the list because it will bring attention to places I write about in the book." Reporter Gary Demiith can be reached at 822-1405, or by e-mail at journal.com. These are the 2006 Kansas Notable Books, as selected by the Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas, Topeka: Airball: My Life in Briefs, young adult book by L.D. Harkrader, Tonganoxie Capote in Kansas: A Drawn Novel, graphic novel by Ande Parks, The Darkest Dawn: Lincoln, Booth and tlie Great American Tragedy, nonfiction by Thomas Goodrich, Topeka Deputy Harvey and the Ant Cow Caper, young adult book by Brad Sneed, formerly of Newton The Great Blues, poetry collection by Steve Semken, formerly of Lawrence A Hungry Heart, autobiography by the late Gordon Parks, formerly of Fort Scott In the Small, Small Night, young adult book by Jane Kurtz, Hesston John Brown: Abolitionist, biography by David S. Reynolds, New York The Kansas Guidebook for Explorers, travel book by Marci Penner, Maggie Rose and Sass, young adult book by Eunice Boeve, The Moon Butter Route, young adult book by Max Yoho, Topeka Oceans of Kansas: A Natural History of the Western Interior Sea, by Michael J. Everhart, Ordinary Genius, short stories by Thomas Fox Averill, Topeka Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas: A Field Guide, nature book by Michael John Haddock, The Youngest Brother: On a Kansas Wheat Farm During the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, autobiography by the late C.

Hugh Snyder, formerly of Pratt at the Salina Public Library All other books on the list can be ordered through interlibrary loan through the library. For more information about the Kansas Center for the Book, call Roy Bird at (785) 296-4105 or by e-mail at For information on the Kansas Book Festival, Sept. 29-30 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita, call Bird or go online to www.kansasbookfestival.ks.gov. VinW. REWARDS AmericarS Airlines" VISrrWWW.AA.COM/TOTALREWARDSANY DAY OF THE WEEK FOR ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN ONLINE.

Don't have a Total card? Sign up and receive a free gift. Harratts PRAIHII: CAMJJO I The UMmote Gambling GeitaviaYl 'Million dollars, Reward and airline miles awarded In a separate promotion. $1 million awarded as an annuity $40,000 for 25 years or discounted lump sum. See rules at Total Center. No puroliase necessary.

Araetlcan Airlines reserves the rlotrt to change program rules, regulations, travel awards and special oHers at any time wlltiout notice, and to end the program with six months notice. cHanges may atfect your ability to use tho awards or rhlleage credits that you have accumulated. American Airlines Is not responsible lor products or services oHered by other participating complels details about the program, visit www.aicom/aadyantage. American Airlines, AAdvartege, and AA.com are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. Restrictions apply.

Ownsd liy the Prairie Band Polawaloml Nation. be 21 or older to enter or gamble. Know When To Stop Belore You Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-622-4700 or 1-866-662-3B00. Harrah's License Company, LLC. I.