April Women's Book Club Update
- Huron Superior Métis Community
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
The Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Council Women’s Book Club continues to bring women together through meaningful stories and thoughtful conversation. This month, members gathered to discuss The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, reflecting on its themes of family, loss, and resilience. As we turn the page into a new month, we look forward to reading Starlight by Richard Wagamese and continuing our shared journey of connection through Indigenous literature.
"July 1962. A Mi'kmaq family from Nova Scotia arrives in Maine to pick blueberries for the summer. Weeks later, four-year-old Ruthie, the family's youngest child, vanishes. She is last seen by her six-year-old brother, Joe, sitting on a favorite rock at the edge of a berry field. Joe will remain distraught by his sister's disappearance for years to come. In Maine, a young girl named Norma grows up as the only child of an affluent family. Her father is emotionally distant, her mother frustratingly overprotective. Norma is often troubled by recurring dreams and visions that seem more like memories than imagination. As she grows older, Norma slowly comes to realize there is something her parents aren't telling her. Unwilling to abandon her intuition, she will spend decades trying to uncover this family secret. Peters presents a novel about the search for truth, the shadow of trauma, and the persistence of love across time."
Book club members shared that the novel was beautifully written and a quick, engaging read. While the story evoked strong emotions, with moments that left readers feeling both sadness and anger, it also deeply resonated with many. One member reflected, “I related to this book on so many levels. Reading these books and being in this book club is an act of resistance and resiliency,” highlighting the powerful connection between storytelling, shared experience, and community. Overall the book club gave The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters 4.9 out of five stars, our highest rated book yet!
