Description
Book SynopsisSet in the backdrop of a prestigious all-girls boarding school, this provocative novel explores the personal lives of those within the school's small community and the empowerment, strength, and resolve it must find in the face of a surprise adversary.
After a tumultuous transitional year at the prestigious boarding school, Rachel Bickham now leads as the new head of Miss Oliver's School for Girls, ready to rush in an era of renewal and success. With beloved teacher Francis Plummer by her side, surely she can conquer anything thrown at her, perhaps even finally start a family of her own. But lately Rachel hears nothing about Francis's classes, once legend among the students. . . In fact, the praises have been suspiciously absent. In the meantime, financial crisis still looms over the school, and now there are rumors spreading of a big scandal concerning one of the students, Claire Nelson, who is like a daughter to Rachel. To save Claire from expulsion and preserve the school's reputation, Rachel must come up with a daring plan that may risk everything--her career, marriage, even the special bond with Claire--but it may just save them all.
This is the follow-up to Davenport's first novel, Saving Miss Oliver's.
Trade Review"Some are called to serve in schools. Some are called to write. Davenport is called to both."
--Annie Dillard
"No Ivory Tower rings true about an independent school and its people. . . More, it is a book about leadership. Davenport writes as the veteran independent school leader he is, seasoned by the vicissitudes of a life serving students and schools."
--Daniel E. White, Founding Headmaster Island Pacific Academy (Hawaii)
"Steve Davenport, veteran school master and gifted writer, has done it again! The much anticipated sequel to to his widely praised Saving Miss Oliver's has arrived. No Ivory Tower stands with other classic 'school novels' such as Goodbye Mr. Chips and To Serve Them All My Days. It is destined to become a modern classic."
--Peter V. Buttenheim, retired teacher and administrator in six independent schools
"No Ivory Tower presents an insiders's look at boarding school life, revealing the complexities faced by students, faculty, administrations and parents. Davenport, himself a former head of school, draws characters that are real and stay with you long after the last page. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series."
--Mimi Baer, former Executive Director of the California Association of Independent Schools
"This is a page-turning read. I couldn't put it down. While the context is prep school drama, the larger themes are universal: miscommunication between loved ones, emotional or real separation and abandonment, the epiphanies and isolation of those gifted with genius. Fascinating and thought provoking at all levels."
--Patrick F. Bassett, former President of the National Association of Independent Schools
"Throughout the novel, we are treated to rich descriptions and lovely prose."
--George Eckel, Principal Writer, Intuit; former boarding school science teacher and dorm parent
