Unbroken; An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive

Reviewed by: Barbara Merrittb - Scarborough School Department, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2015

Review

This is a young adult adaptation of the adult blockbuster story of Louis Zamperini. Zamperini was a young man headed for trouble until his brother encouraged him to run. Louie went on to the 1936 Olympics as a track star. The story follows his being drafted into the Air Force. The gripping saga of his plane being shot down and his spending 47 days in a life raft then spending the duration of the war in Japanese prisoner camps makes the reading intense. The horrors of the prison camp at times make the reader cringe at times. Photographs add interest and support details well. The thing that shines through this book is the importance of courage, determination, the will to live, and the support of family and friends.

Overall Book Score: very good