Tagged: books

Kansas City poet Mbembe Milton Smith would have been 60 years old this month. He had written four books of poetry before he took his life at the age of 36. Two of Smith's early books were published by UMKC's Bkmk Press, which is re-releasing a copy of his Selected Poems in honor of his birthday.

By Sylvia Maria Gross

Here, Loren Long reads his "Note to the Reader" from The Little Engine that Could.

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – From Loren Long's "Note to the Reader"

from The Little Engine that Could:

She would start with a soft whisper . . . I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. Slowly her voice would grow . . . I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. Until finally with a resolute confidence, she'd read . . . I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Local writer Gloria Martinez Adams says she responded to her father's death by writing a series of short stories, including La Muerte or A Death in the Family.

By Laura Spencer and Sylvia Maria Gross

Kansas City, MO – For many Latinos, family plays a vital role in your life. And when a family member dies, it can be a time to create shared understandings of family - past, present and future...sometimes, through storytelling.

Two time Newbery Medal award winner Lois Lowry 's latest novel is called Gossamer. In this story's fictional world, creatures called Thin One and Littlest bestow dreams. Here Lowry reads an excerpt.

Kansas City, MO – Here Lowry reads an excerpt from the end of the book when the creature called Littlest is going home at the end of the night.

C.W. Gusewelle joined The Kansas City Star in 1955. He now writes a weekly column published Sundays on the front page of the Metropolitan section. On a recent Up to Date, Gusewelle talked to host Steve Kraske and shared a holiday story.

Angela Cervantes is one of two Kansas City writers featured in the recently released Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul. Her story included in the collection is about her father and his compadres. Here's Angela Cervantes reading What's Up with Dads and Porkchop Sandwiches?

By Angela Cervantes (as heard on KC Currents)

Poet Rita Dove discusses her life and work during a conversation with Angela Elam from New Letters on the Air.

By Angela Elam

Kansas City, MO – Akron native Rita Dove finds literary inspiration everywhere for her writing. After penning her first play, she talks about the novelty of playwrighting with Angela Elam from New Letters on the Air.

Today in the US, Halloween seems to have lost most of its spiritual connections. Some diverse voices in Kansas City share their experiences about the holiday and frightening stories from their cultures.

By Linda Sher

Halloween Spooktacular Stories by Kansas Citians