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News & Photos
Travel the World from Your Sofa: READ with US
How can you vacation from home? Members of the upper school community have the answer: they travel the United States, Germany, and Japan, and even get stranded on a raft in the Atlantic, all for about $15. Their travel companion is Louis Zamperini, the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling narrative Unbroken, the first book elected for the READ with US program.
Spearheaded by librarians Jersey Frederick and Dawn Stellman, the program is modeled after Common Read programs that have gained popularity in universities nationwide. Group readings provide a common ground from which incoming students can engage in discussion with a variety of people.
Back in the spring, a committee of about 20 students and searched for a book that would capture the attention of freshmen, seniors, and faculty alike. “We made a list of potential books and then each read as many as possible,” said Jersey. “We used Google Docs to document our comments about each book we had read.” Weeks later “Unbroken was the clear winner," she said, for its undeniable status as “a page-turner of a story, connections to McDonogh through its military background, patriotism, and connections to young athletes.”
The inspirational tale of Louie Zamperini, whose days as an Olympic runner are followed by astounding endurance of horrors as a Japanese P.O.W., offers a gripping tale of triumph soothed by space for reflection on what survival truly means.
Posters starring students, faculty, and the McDonogh Eagle reading copies of Hillenbrand’s book have adorned the halls of Allan and Keelty since spring. The librarians have kept track of those who have finished the book on a white board. Come fall, students, faculty, and staff will meet in groups of approximately 15 to discuss the book. Seniors have been trained to lead the discussions.
An opportunity to give feedback on the book and the program will follow the discussions, and WWII veteran Gilbert Sanders will speak to the Upper School on January 6 about his experience. Jersey hopes that the program will “bring together our community through a common story.”
How can you vacation from home? Members of the upper school community have the answer: they travel the United States, Germany, and Japan, and even get stranded on a raft in the Atlantic, all for about $15. Their travel companion is Louis Zamperini, the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling narrative Unbroken, the first book elected for the READ with US program.
Spearheaded by librarians Jersey Frederick and Dawn Stellman, the program is modeled after Common Read programs that have gained popularity in universities nationwide. Group readings provide a common ground from which incoming students can engage in discussion with a variety of people.
Back in the spring, a committee of about 20 students and searched for a book that would capture the attention of freshmen, seniors, and faculty alike. “We made a list of potential books and then each read as many as possible,” said Jersey. “We used Google Docs to document our comments about each book we had read.” Weeks later “Unbroken was the clear winner," she said, for its undeniable status as “a page-turner of a story, connections to McDonogh through its military background, patriotism, and connections to young athletes.”
The inspirational tale of Louie Zamperini, whose days as an Olympic runner are followed by astounding endurance of horrors as a Japanese P.O.W., offers a gripping tale of triumph soothed by space for reflection on what survival truly means.
Posters starring students, faculty, and the McDonogh Eagle reading copies of Hillenbrand’s book have adorned the halls of Allan and Keelty since spring. The librarians have kept track of those who have finished the book on a white board. Come fall, students, faculty, and staff will meet in groups of approximately 15 to discuss the book. Seniors have been trained to lead the discussions.
An opportunity to give feedback on the book and the program will follow the discussions, and WWII veteran Gilbert Sanders will speak to the Upper School on January 6 about his experience. Jersey hopes that the program will “bring together our community through a common story.”