The first meeting of the Wednesday Night Readers Book Club was held in January of 2001. When that group of learners and tutors gathered together to discuss To Kill a Mockingbird, we had no idea at the time that these monthly book discussions would become one of the most popular ongoing workshops ever offered for learners and tutors here at Project Read.
All along, our goal has been to remove any barriers that might prevent adult learners from experiencing a compelling story, and sharing their thoughts about the story. To help in this effort, we made a decision to provide FREE books and books on cassette to all learners who wanted to participate in the book discussion. By providing the unabridged books on cassette, individuals reading at any level are able to connect to the story—some may listen to the tapes exclusively, others read the story with the help of the tapes, and still others are able to read the books alone. These books and tapes are theirs to keep and add to their home libraries. Participants also receive a handout introducing the book which includes some general comprehension/discussion questions, and a colorful bookmark with space on the back to jot down vocabulary words. Additionally, many tutor/learner teams have integrated the reading of the books into their ongoing literacy instruction.
In order to make the monthly discussions a success, we have also sought to create a comfortable, nonthreatening atmosphere at each meeting. This helps to encourage the participation of all who attend. Three amazing volunteer tutors have helped to create this unique environment for sharing. John Gildersleeve, Renee Snyder, and Erin McAleece have been there for over two years to guide the discussions and provide fascinating background information about the books. Their commitment and dedication to the Wednesday Night Readers Book Club is the major reason why it continues to be so rewarding and popular.
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