What’s the story Justin-Siena hopes will touch hearts? On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War. It is the real-life story of Louis Zamperini, now 95, and the inspiration for Lauren Hillenbrand’s New York Times Bestseller Unbroken.

Mr. Zamperini’s story is the choice of the faculty/staff interdisciplinary reading committee to make student learning relevant in the lazy days of this summer: “The Justin-Siena community will engage in the ‘One School, One Book’, literacy-based, activity to further build and develop relationships and common ground.” All Justin-Siena High School faculty/staff and students will read Unbroken. All parents, alumni, and coaches are invited to read the book as well. The opportunity to touch hearts comes in ALL of us together encouraging students to read for pleasure, engage in thoughtful discussion, and reflect with students on what it truly means to be brave and have faith in the presence of God.

In the beginning of the school year there will be opportunities for parents and other adults in the community to engage in conversation about what they have read and how we might draw upon the values and experiences of Mr. Zamperini in touching the hearts of students.