By Barbara Hoist, Next Chapter Book Club Facilitator

The Kona Next Chapter Book Club completed reading our first book, The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Book Club members read the book together, taking turns reading aloud and discussing the story, learning new words and how people live differently in other times and places in the world, and comparing that to how we live here in Hawaii. Five members attended regularly and it was so much fun to watch the friendships develop – catching up on what was going on in each person’s life and talking about upcoming events.

As we were nearing completion of the book, one of the family members suggested that we watch the movie adaptation to help bring the book to life.  One thing led to another, and after lively discussions we decided to watch the movie followed by an English tea. We drank tea out of beautiful antique china teacups, ate cucumber sandwiches, quiche and sweets and really bonded as a group over our enjoyment of the book. The group was able to identify many differences between the book and the movie, demonstrating how comprehension was improved by reading and discussing the book together.

We began a new book, The Story of King Arthur and his Knights by Howard Pyle, at the beginning of August.

The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) offers weekly opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to read and learn together, talk about books, and make friends in a relaxed community setting.  NCBC was established in June 2002 to provide adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities – regardless of their reading ability- the chance to be members of a book club.  NCBC has become the preeminent program of its kind. Today there are NCBC programs in over 100 cities across North America and Europe. Full Life is proud to sponsor the Kona Club that meets on Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 at the tables outside Jamba Juice in the Kona Coast Shopping Center.

If you are interested in co-facilitating this dynamic and growing book club, please contact Barbara at 322-9333.