Give the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Great Hearts places a great deal of value on good literature, and we understand the true gift a good book can be. During this season of giving, we asked some our faculty and staff what book they would give someone this year. We hope you find a good book from the list for some holiday reading during the break, or you may just find a good idea for a last-minute stocking stuffer.

Roslyn Fletcher, Great Hearts Arizona Director of College Counseling, would give the book What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles. “Because all of us can benefit from learning about meaningful work and finding fulfillment in what we do each day!”

Kara Moore, a 3^rd grade lead teacher at Archway Glendale would give the book Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry to for any child. “In this children’s story we see that Mr. Willowby’s tree has arrived, but it is too large!  The tree gets trimmed and with each trimming someone else finds the trimming useful for their needs, but also finds that they too can share with someone else. The holidays are a great time to be reminded that what may seem “simple” or “small” could fill the need and someone’s heart! This is a simple story of giving and gratitude.”

Maryrose Hall, Arizona Director of Marketing and Communications, suggests A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson with Illustrations by Jessie Wilcox Smith. “These verses and images are attached to beautiful childhood memories for me. My grandmother started me memorizing short poems by Stevenson as early as age four, and later gave me several versions of this book, but I was always drawn back to the version with Wilcox Smith’s art (and any other books with her work). I remember being very young on my grandmother’s green shag carpet attempting to recreate the illustrations with my Crayola’s. The memories have stayed with me all these years and introducing my daughter to the same verses and images now brings me so much joy. This is my favorite book to gift, especially to new moms and young families.”

Jack Kersting, Headmaster at Archway Scottsdale, recommends Trust and Inspire by Stephen M R Covey because, “It is the best new book on leadership! I think every leader should read it and incorporate the main ideas into their leadership style.”

John Fowler, a Latin and Greek teacher at Cicero Prep, would give the short story he just recently read. “Yesterday I read Regulus by Rudyard Kipling. It’s the perfect blend of humor and wit from Kipling as he eloquently describes the dynamics of teaching and the difficulties of learning as a young man. The story is perfect for reflection while on winter break for teachers, parents, and students.”

“I would likely give C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy to a colleague,” said Jerilyn Olson, Great Hearts Chief People Officer. “Most have not read this set of his fiction, and I find it rather thought-provoking and entertaining.”

Jon Rickey, Arizona Network Director of Athletics, loves the novel, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. “I like to be thankful for what we have, and that we didn’t have to endure a war like our ancestors. This book always makes me feel cold and wet in how conditions are described, and this is a great book to read when it is cold with some coffee and in front of a fire or a Netflix Yule Log!”

Brandon Crowe, Arizona Superintendent admitted, “I’d cheat and give them the last story I just read (early this morning), a short story by Will Cather, The Burglar’s Christmas. It is simple and poignant. The story reminds that redemption does not need to surprise nor arrive in a terribly complicated and morally fraught way. We all go astray and are brought back by love. This is something we tend to forget but should not – especially at this time of year!”

Robert Jackson, Executive Director of the Great Hearts Institute, said he would highly recommend any of Dana Gioia’s five volumes of poetry—probably starting with 99 Poems: New & Selected (2016), a great intro to Gioia’s imaginative talent. Gioia’s poetry ranges across the lyrical and narrative, with plenty of wit and insight—while always offering a good dose of surprise and wonder. One of America’s great living poets, he will be in attendance at the National Symposium for Classical Education 2023, so why not get yourself a copy to have it autographed?”

Chandler Prep Headmaster, John Paul Poppleton, said one of his favorite books to gift is The Power of Art by Simon Schama.  “This somewhat heavy book depicts the pivotal works of Caravaggio, Tuner, and Rothko (and so many others!).  These quality representations are feasts for the eyes and alongside the paintings the reader finds Schama’s exhilarating prose. It is a great book to pick up for a minute to just look at a painting or two, or it’s a great one to read for hours.  Schama’s eye and heart for art, history, and beauty draw the reader in almost as much as the works themselves.”

“Brideshead Revisited [by Evelyn Waugh], because it is, quite simply, my favorite book,” said Chief Academic Officer, Jake Tawney. “I thoroughly enjoy sharing it with others.”

Maria Baier, Vice President of External Affairs for Great Hearts, has given the book, The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym as a gift and has a fun, coincidental story to go with it. “It was the subject of an extraordinary review in the Wall Street Journal a few months ago so I immediately pre-ordered two copies, one for a [Great Hearts] colleague and one for myself. When I told my colleague what I had done, she said, ‘Oh, Paula’s book must be out!’  Much to my surprise, she actually knows the author, Paula Byrne, and then called to let her know about the WSJ’s glowing review, which Paula had not yet seen. But the biggest surprise of all was that Paula is a Great Hearts parent!  We met a couple of months ago at a Great Hearts Leadership Society meeting. Small world!  And great book!”

What book do you enjoy giving to others?  Be sure to share a book you love with someone this year!

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.