Join us for an Adult Book Discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Periodical Room in the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library. The September book selection is The Day the World Came to Town Updated Edition: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim Defede. Copies are available for checkout.

About the Author

Jim Defede is an award-winning journalist who was a staff writer for the Spokesman Review in Spokane, Washington, and the Miami New Times, before becoming a metro columnist for The Miami Herald. His work has appeared in Talk, The New Republic, and Newsday. He is currently an investigative reporter for the CBS station in Miami and host of the weekly television program "Facing South Florida."

Book Summary

The True Story Behind the Events on 9/11 that Inspired Broadway’s Smash Hit Musical Come from Away, Featuring All New Material from the Author.

When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill.

As the passengers stepped from the airplanes, exhausted, hungry and distraught after being held on board for nearly 24 hours while security checked all of the baggage, they were greeted with a feast prepared by the townspeople. Local bus drivers who had been on strike came off the picket lines to transport the passengers to the various shelters set up in local schools and churches. Linens and toiletries were bought and donated. A middle school provided showers, as well as access to computers, email, and televisions, allowing the passengers to stay in touch with family and follow the news.

Over the course of those four days, many of the passengers developed friendships with Gander residents that they expect to last a lifetime. As a show of thanks, scholarship funds for the children of Gander have been formed and donations have been made to provide new computers for the schools. This book recounts the inspiring story of the residents of Gander, Canada, whose acts of kindness have touched the lives of thousands of people and been an example of humanity and goodwill.