The Berry Pickers: A Novel by Amanda Peters

 

 The Berry Pickers: A Novel by Amanda Peters. Catapult, 2023.

   In 1962, a Mi'kmaq family arrives in Maine on their annual stay to pick blueberries. Ruthie, age four, and her brother, Joe, age six, spend days in the sun. When Ruthie disappears, no one can find her and the family never gets over the tragedy. Joe, especially, misses his sister and, as an old man, still thinks of her.

   Alternating chapters tell of a brown skinned little girl named Norma who grows up an only child in a wealthy family. She has disturbing dreams and knows there is a mystery in her family. As the narrative continues, Norma is grown and the pieces of the puzzle are finally put into place.

   Beautifully written, this debut novel unspools slowly and with care. The descriptions of the places are lovely. While readers may suspect what happened, the way the story is written is realistic and the characters move forward in their lives, always remembering the past, and searching for answers.