The Berry Pickers
by Amanda Peters
Book Overview
In the summer of 1962, four-year-old Ruthie, a Mi’kmaq girl, vanishes in Maine’s blueberry fields, and her family splinters. Joe, her older brother and the last to see her, shoulders guilt and rage yet never stops searching. Raised as Norma by a white family, Ruthie drifts through childhood with shard-like dreams and a stubborn sense of not belonging. Their intertwined narratives move across decades, exposing grief’s undertow, the price of secrecy, and the risky pursuit of a truth that could restore a family—or tear it open again.
This guide delivers comprehensive coverage: it maps every chapter, profiles the full cast, unpacks central themes, and spotlights memorable quotes that reveal voice and intent. Dive in to sharpen your understanding and deepen your appreciation of The Berry Pickers.