2021 Sacred Heart Reading Gift Guide

Living Joy: 9 Rules To Help You Rediscover And Live Joy Every Day. Author: Chris Stefanick

"It’s a wonderful reminder that we have so many reasons to have joy in our life because of our Catholic faith. Pope Francis keeps calling us to be people of JOY!" - Msgr Mike Foltz, Pastor & Superintendent

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

"This book highlights determination, teamwork, hard work, the importance of unity and discipline.  It is a story of belonging, of virtue, and overcoming all obstacles.  It tells a story of how the performance of one person affects a whole team.  What we carry under the surface and in our stories affects others - the importance of inner peace and having things reconciled within ourselves and with others (Integrity).  Synergy - we can do far more together when we row as one than we can accomplish individually, and God is present in that.  It's an inspirational story that gets at the deeper meaning of life. It also has several of our school's Benedictine values on display in the book. They include: Love of Neighbor, Community, Integrity, Excellence through Virtue, Discipline, Dignity of Work, Humility.  - Fr. Matt Schmitz, Associate Pastor

Books set in historical moments

"I recommend Night by Elie Wiesel and really any of his books.  A Helmet For My Pillow is a good read if you like WWII. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is good for 10th and above.  The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine, Dewey by Vicki Myron, and if you are interested in the Holocaust there is All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein, Four Perfect Pebbles by Marion Blumenthal Lazan and Was God on Vacation by Jack van der Geest." - Mrs. Cherie Walker.

Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture: A Novel of Mathematical Obsession

"This is a story about family loyalty, goal setting, failure and just how high level thinking and life can come together. It’s also a book for math enthusiasts, but a nice crossover into the novel realm." - Mr. Ben Gergen, Mathematics

Subscriptions to Magazines

"When our teen boys were reluctant to read we gave them a subscription to Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines. It caught their interest and it helped them score high marks in technical reading." - Mrs. Linda Graff, High School Paraprofessional

Little Women

"I always wanted to be adventurous Jo, who could be such a tomboy and yet spend hours up in the attic, writing in earnest." - Ms. Jo Beth Dempsey, Library & Media Center

A to Z Mysteries, Who Would Win books, Magic Tree House series, and Puppy Place series

"These are great for 2nd grade readers!" - Mrs. Mrs. Teri Matejcek, 2nd Grade

A Wrinkle in Time

"Good vs. evil, but sci-fi style." - Ms. Jo Beth Dempsey, Library & Media Center

Library Card for the family

"I could recommend some great books, but I feel that the best thing to recommend to parents is to get a library card for your child (or family) and spend time at the library.  Get to know your librarian and he/she will help you find books which are of interest." - Mrs. Jennifer LeMire, 3rd Grade

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

"Mississippi set during the height of the Depression; Cassie Logan's family struggles to hold their land as well as their dignity in the face of racism and social injustice." - Ms. Jo Beth Dempsey, Library & Media Center

Starfish

"This is my new favorite book this year. Ellie has been fat-shamed since she wore her whale swimsuit on her 5th birthday and made a big splash in the pool. She's tired of it and decides to just be her "fabulous" self. IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK THIS YEAR, READ THIS ONE! For anyone who has had issues with their bodies, this story hits you right in "the feels." - Ms. Jo Beth Dempsey, Library & Media Center

Man's Search for Meaning & Anne of Green Gables

"Each is a great read. What would be awesome would be a set of each for the classroom (25-30) for use in class!" - Mr. Pete Lund, English

Ramona and Her Father

"Or ANY Beverly Cleary Book. This one is my favorite!" - Ms. Jo Beth Dempsey, Library & Media Center

Books in Spanish

"For my students I'd recommend anything in Spanish, or any language for that matter. It's even better if there is an audiobook to go with it so the students can listen to audio by a native speaker of that language." - Señorita Sheila Johnson