This is an optional release to be published before or with the first chapter of “Will Rogers: Childhood Adventures of an Oklahoma Legend.” Replace “This newspaper” in the first paragraph with your newspaper’s name.



A new serial story for young readers will begin appearing next week in this newspaper. “Will Rogers: Childhood Adventures of an Oklahoma Legend” is a weekly chapter story that explores what life may have been like for Will Rogers growing up in Indian Territory. The historical fiction story is provided exclusively to Oklahoma newspapers by the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation in remembrance of the 75th anniversary of Rogers’ death.

The eight-chapter serial story follows ten-year-old Will Rogers and his friend, Frank, as they herd cattle, sleep under the stars, swim in the Verdigris River and battle a prairie fire. They also learn about the arrival of a new railroad that will split the Rogers ranch in half and form the new town of Oologah, Okla. 

The series was written by Carolyn Estes of the Oologah Lake Leader.

Serial stories are short novels published as individual chapters in the newspaper. One chapter will appear each week, with the final chapter appearing during Newspapers in Education Week in early March.

Each chapter features a few educational activities for young readers. Kids also can create their own scrapbook for “Will Rogers: Childhood Adventures of an Oklahoma Legend” in which they record their answers to the activities. 

To create your own scrapbook gather between 6 and 10 sheets of paper and place several staples along the left edge. On the front page design a cover illustration and write the story’s title. Cut out each chapter from the newspaper and paste or attach it to the pages of the book. Write the answers to the newspaper activities in your book. After eight weeks the story will be complete. 


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