Timpanogos High School teacher Greg Park, who is also apublished author, prepared for the release of the third book in hisEarthsoul Prophecies series by donating and hand-delivering 950copies of the first book to area junior high and high schools withthe request that the books be given free of charge to students.
The deliveries took place in December, and have beenwell-received by both librarians and students, said Park, who hopesthe receipt of a book of their own will motivate reluctant readersand inspire young people to use their imaginations.
Reports have been that one librarian wrapped the books inChristmas paper to give to students as gifts. another had studentsenter their names in a drawing to receive a book, and manylibrarians have retained copies for media center shelves.
Park teaches English, creative writing, science fiction andJapanese at Timpanogos High, along with serving as student counciladviser.
“Veil of Darkness,” Park’s first entry in what is intended to bea five-part series, received the 2007 best Book Award for fantasyfrom USA Book News. The author followed “Veil of Darkness” with asecond novel, “Cleansing Hunt,” and the third book, “Children ofTa’shaen,” has a publication date of May 1.
“I can’t keep the books in, and that’s a great thing to be ableto say,” said Timpanogos librarian Cathy Keller of Park’s works. “Iam on my second purchasing. The students have literally worn thefirst two books out, and they are anxiously awaiting that thirdvolume. they have been asking about it every day — ‘Is it hereyet?’ He’s a phenomenal teacher. The students love him, and theylove his books.”
Summer Hagberg, a student in Park’s creative writing class, wasthe recipient of one of the donated books.
“Mr. Park taught me that writing cannot be limited to the rulesand policies of society, but you can write about anything, period,”she said.
Senior Shannon Robertson, a student in Park’s creative writingand Japanese classes, said she is a fan of her teacher’s books. Shebelieves that by being an author, as well as a teacher, Park isable to provide insights in teaching writing because “He has doneit — he knows what works, and what doesn’t.”
Junior Kaitlyn Tolman also has Park for both creative writingand Japanese, and said she has read all three of the books, havingobtained an advance copy of “Children of Ta’shaen.”
“I really like how unique the characters are, and how mr. Parkuses the Japanese in the book. he speaks it, so that makes the bookricher and more cultural,” she said.
Park donated three cases of books to Dixon Middle School inProvo, a school he attended as a youth before going on to ProvoHigh, which received a similar donation from the alumnus.
Tessa Russell, the librarian at Dixon, said the school isanticipating an upcoming after-school assembly visit from Park. Shehas found Park’s books to be particularly appealing to young men,who enjoy the concept of a hero on a quest and journey ofdiscovery, working with weapons and controlling his powers.
“The books have captivating, interesting material unfolding allthe time, in layers,” Russell said. “Some reviewers have drawncomparisons to Tolkien, because of the intricate backgrounds, andGreg incorporates Japanese in an intriguing way.”
Brian Saxton is a film and English teacher at Timpanogos Highwho has worked with Park not only at the school, but also atBrigham Young University, where the two completed master’s degreestogether. he said Park’s characters are believable, motivated androunded, rather than being shallow stereotypes.
“The good guys have problems, and the bad guys are funny,”Saxton said. “Fantasy has never been my big genre, but what I likebest about Greg’s books is the world he creates. It is so layered,textured, and has so much underlying mythology, that it doesn’tfeel like just fantasy anymore. I would say it is really goodallegory.”
Park said that the spring of 2012 is an “optimistic andrealistic” date for the release of book four in the EarthsoulProphecies series. But with all the demands of writing andteaching, the author said, he makes a conscious effort to putfamily first.
“I have a very supportive wife [Chantilly], and I make family apriority, because if I do that, I am able to manage the rest of mylife better,” Park said.
The couple has a daughter, Rachael, and two sons, Collin andCoulter.
Park is on the schedule to speak on April 27 at 7 p.m. at theOrem Public Library.
During the month of March, Park has a number of book signings atCostco stores in Orem and Lehi. for more information, see his Website at gregpark.net.
Local author, teacher gives book to schools to promote new novel
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