The Berry Pickers

Ruthie disappears at a young age: her brother Joe, age six at the time, is the last to see her. He feels immense guilt and also responsible for her disappearance. How does this guilt show up in what he does and how he interacts with others in the novel?

Joe was age six when his sister disappeared. Do you think Joe's guilt is justified?

Do you think the local authorities did enough to try to find Ruthie when she disappeared?

Norma is aware that she is different from her adoptive parents. How does this affect her sense of self and belonging?

Do you think Norma's dreams mean that, on some level, she remembers her birth family? Do you think she would have been better off with them?

Why do you think Norma's mother thought taking Norma from her family was okay? Did she think she could give her a better life, or was there more to it?

Several people in Norma's family circle knew the circumstances of her "adopton"? Why do you think Leonore was able to get away with keeping her?

This book touches on the challenges of Indigenous people. How effectively do you think the novel portrays these issues? Did it prompt you to learn more about the history of Indigenous peoples in North America?

Joe never gives up hope of finding his sister, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Why do you think this is? If you were in the same circumstances, would you feel the same way?

Did you guess how the two storylines were related? How did you feel when you figured it out?"

Book Club Talking Points:
This book has some deep themes, like identity, belonging, and family secrets. It also tackles the harsh realities faced by Indigenous people, such as the forced removal of children and the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The characters feel real- each deals with their own struggles, making it easy to connect with their emotions.