The Berry Pickers

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Overall, how did you find the balance of tragedy and hope within The Berry Pickers? Do you think the book is more hopeful or more tragic overall?
• What did you most appreciate about the multi-generational narrative within the novel? In what ways was this aspect of the text bittersweet? 
• Consider The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. How do both texts deal with historical themes of displacement of Indigenous communities? Did you resonate more with one text than the other?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Can Ruthie be considered the emotional heart of the novel, given that the family suffers greatly after her disappearance? Who in your family unit could be considered the emotional heart?
• As Ruthie’s disappearance is the inciting incident to a larger family shift, can you identify an inciting incident within your own family or friendship circles? This incident need not be tragic, but rather an event that caused significant change. 
• Joe’s death is a pivotal moment, representing the unknown and a sudden loss of innocence. Consider the impact of Joe’s death and Ruthie’s disappearance: How did each impact you on an emotional level? 
• The treatment of Indigenous peoples is an important aspect of the text.