By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo branch of the American Association of University Women will begin its Adelante Book Group by encouraging community members to come together to discuss the selected books and the issues they raise.

“The Adelante book club is something we started maybe 10 years ago. It’s an attempt to get people from different parts of the community to talk about the issues in the books we select,” said Sandra Lott, who is co-president of Montevallo’s AAUW with Mary Jo Buff. “We especially want people from different age levels and different parts of the community to come. We meet once a month during the school term. Anyone interested is certainly welcome.”

The book club’s first meeting will be held Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. in the Palmer Commons (Comer 202) at the University of Montevallo. This year, the club’s theme is “Opportunities for lifelong learning: Transcending barriers through reading and discussion.”

The first book the group will discuss — “Outcasts United” by Warren St. John — addresses refugee children living in Clarkston, Ga. and how one woman united the community to form an immigrant soccer team.

“It’s a success story of her efforts to not only start the soccer team, but also gives these kids and their families a sense of their abilities,” Lott said.

The AAUW will also be holding a branch meeting on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Hill House to discuss the topic of prison literacy. Beth Hughes Wilder, president of the Literacy Council of Central Alabama, assisted by retired UM English professor Sidney Vance will discuss the pilot program to enhance literary in prisons.

“It could be really life changing for some of these people,” Lott said. “You know so little is being done, at least that’s my impression, to prepare prisoners for their life after prison. It’s certainly a worthy project.”

On Dec. 2 at 4 p.m, the AAUW will host a holiday reception and bazaar at Flowerhill, the home of Ms. Jennifer Stewart. Proceeds will benefit the Reading is Fundamental program and other AAUW education programs.

“The public is always invited to anything we do. For our branch meetings and book group meetings, the public is always invited,” Lott said. “We want people to know what we’re talking about and the issues we’re dealing with.”

For more information about the Montevallo Branch of AAUW, visit Aauw-alabama.org/mvallo.html or visit AAUW.org for the national website.