2011 Trail of Tears Story

Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation is pleased to provide a new serial story to OPA members. “They Cried on the Trail” is an eight-week chapter story for young readers that follows two Cherokee Indian children as they journey to Oklahoma on what would become the Trail of Tears. It tells the fictional story of John Whitefeather and his parents’ six-month trek after being forced to leave their home in Georgia. They find a new friend, Sally, during the 1,000-mile journey to Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

All eight chapters are available in four sizes to fit your paper. A press release and promotional ads are also available if you want to introduce your readers to the story when the first chapter is published. You may begin publishing the story at any time.

» Click here to go to the chapters, press release and promotional ads.

2010 Will Rogers Serial Story

“Will Rogers: Childhood Adventures with an Oklahoma Legend” is about the famous newspaper columnist and entertainer, often remembered for his famous quote: “All I know is what I read in the papers.”

The series, written by Carolyn Estes of the Oologah Lake Leader, will entice readers of all ages, who will anticipate reading the next chapter each week. Publishing the series according to the timeline below will conclude the story during Newspapers in Education Week, March 1-7. You’re also welcome to recruit a local advertiser to sponsor the story. Simply place the advertiser’s information at the bottom of the chapter with your newspaper’s logo. All we ask is that the advertiser’s business not be inappropriate for children (i.e. liquor store).

Thank you for participating in this project and we hope your readers enjoy it. If you have questions about this story or Newspapers in Education, please contact Lisa Potts at (405) 499-0026 or 1-888-815-2672, or by e-mail at lpotts@okpress.com.

Press release about serial story (1.84 KB)
Promotional ads (90.91 KB)
Chapter 1 - publish week of January 11 (176.54 KB)
Chapter 2 - publish week of January 18 (145.31 KB)
Chapter 3 - publish week of January 25 (197.6 KB)
Chapter 4 - publish week of February 1 (146.63 KB)
Chapter 5 - publish week of February 8 (180.34 KB)
Chapter 6 - publish week of February 15 (158.78 KB)
Chapter 7 - publish week of February 22 (195.13 KB)
Chapter 8 - publish week of March 1 (162.21 KB)

2007 Oklahoma Centennial Story

The Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation originally provided the following serial story for member newspapers to publish in fall 2007 in recognition of Oklahoma's Centennial. "Journey to a Brand New State: A Tale of Two Whippersnappers" is an eight-chapter historical story that follows two young brothers on a wagon train journey with their parents to their new home in Guthrie, Okla. The boys travel in a covered wagon, live in a dugout, discover buffalo bones and celebrate Oklahoma's statehood on Nov. 16, 1907. The series was written by Carolyn Estes of the Oologah Lake Leader in Oologah, Okla. and is both entertaining and educational for young readers.