Belleville Grandma Writes Book With Grandkids Amid COVID Pandemic

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A New Jersey grandmother is staying connected to her grandkids amid the coronavirus pandemic using the power of literature.

When COVID-19 began to spread in the state in March, the ensuing shutdowns placed a wedge between Christine Bonacorsa and her seven grandchildren, who are spread out across the country, including Millburn. But the longtime Belleville resident didn’t let the distance stop her from bonding with her loved ones.

Her secret weapon? Science fiction.

Finding a common link – their love of a good book – Bonacorsa started a virtual book club with several of her grandkids as a way to stay in touch and lift everyone’s spirits.

Affectionately dubbed “The BBC” (Babi’s Book Club), the family’s weekly Zoom meetings started with Bonacorsa reading classics such as Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” and J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone,” then having in-depth discussions about the books.

But the club soon grew into something larger. The family began organizing virtual games and themed dinners – all over Zoom – whenever they completed a book. And last summer, they took on an ambitious new project: write their own science-fiction story.

Bonacorsa enacted a writers workshop with her grandkids, meeting twice a week with the goal of completing a joint project by the fall. After a crash-course in creative writing and character development, the family’s hard-but-fun labor paid off with their own mini-book, “Time-A-Tron Travels.”

Here’s how they describe the book, in their own words:

“It’s a story of best friends Maya and Jake and the unique cast of characters whom they meet along their journey. The team works together to solve the mystery of Maya’s missing grandparents, who’ve been transported somewhere into the universe by the Time-a-Tron 2000 time machine.”

It was a true collaboration, with each of the young authors penning a chapter and coming up with their own unique character images. Bonacorsa’s three daughters, Inya, Melanie and Natalie, also pitched in to the effort, helping with editing, design and printing.

There was something “tangible” about producing a book during a time when everything seems to be taking place virtually, Bonacorsa said.

The youngest member of the team, 8-year-old Leo, enjoyed the process immensely, the family reported.

“What I liked best about this experience was spending time creating my character, Hatro the Ghost, and meeting over Zoom with my family,” the budding writer said.

That spirit of family connection is apparent in the book’s dedication, which goes out to “all of the families who have connected with each other in unique, virtual ways during Quarantine 2020.”

Bonacorsa said that the experience has helped her family find something positive to look forward to during a dark time. Due to the pandemic and quarantining, it’s been more than a year since Bonacorsa has seen two of her daughters and her four grandchildren who live in Portland, Oregon.

“Though confined to our quarantined spaces by circumstance, our BBC teleported us into a world of timeless imagination and remarkable creativity, leading to heartwarming adventures and bonding for all of us,” Bonacorsa said.

The family plans to celebrate with a virtual book launch party over Zoom during the upcoming holidays, and distribute the book as gifts to friends and family. The book is available for purchase online at Time-A-Tron Travels (lulu.com); all proceeds will go to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

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