Blackberries in the Dark

by Mavis Jukes

Book Overview

"Austin's visit to his grandmother's is the first since Grandpa died. Austin notices Grandpa's things but feels the emptiness of his absence. This spare story vividly captures the emotions of painful times and shows how they ease with sharing and remembering. Boy and grandfather were close, but boy and grandmother seem destined to be just as close, with Grandpa's memory to bind them. Poignant and perceptive, this has impressive resonance, and readers...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679865705
• ISBN13: 9780679865704
• Release Date: September 1994
• Publisher: Random House Children's Books
• Length: 58 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A really good book to sink your teeth into.

After his grandfather dies, nine year old Austin isn't sure what he will do with himself during the ten days that he has at his grandmother's house. The previous summer Austin and his grandfather went fishing, and this year he was going to learn how to fly fish, but now all that has changed. At least that is what he thinks, but his grandmother has other ideas. Together they will start some new family traditions, and Austin will still be able to enjoy his time at Grandma's house. Don't let the thinness of BLACKBERRIES IN THE DARK fool you into thinking that there is nothing worthwhile between the covers. This book has more meat in its 58 pages than can be found in any number of books that are two or three times longer. Mavis Jukes does a wonderful job of telling this story about grief and love. It is very easy to see what is going on, but at the same time, it is also easy to put yourself in the place of nine year-old Austin. That's not to say that this book is flaw free. The entire story takes place over the course of about 12 hours. I kind of wish that Jukes had spread the events out a little more. However, that isn't a major thing, and it doesn't take away from the fact that BLACKBERRIES IN THE DARK is a really good book to sink your teeth into. (...)

Tells of a family tradition of blackberry picking summers

Mavis Jukes' Blackberries In The Dark tells of a family tradition of blackberry picking summers challenged by a grandfather's death. Grandma is alone and Austin feels his summer has lost its special magic - it's up to them both to make new traditions in this warm story of death and change, with black and white drawings by Thomas Allen.

Poignant Tale about Loss

Probably the best young children's book on the subject of a death in the family.Very beautifully written, tears will almost definitely flow from the adult reading it. One might then ask, why bother with this book if it's about death, a heavy subject my kid hasn't been exposed to? Well, actually, it is a very uplifting story about life itself. No psychobabble or religious references, just a simple story of family, bonds, and tradition. Jukes' writing is beautifully crafted, making this simple story very meaningful. Death itself is dealt with matter-of-factly, and there is nothing scary in the book.Though tinged with sadness, it is truly wonderful, and there are even a couple of good laughs. (Like life itself, no?)Highly recommended.

A realy good book fore calm reader!

The Title of this story is Blackberry's in the Dark. The authors name is Mavis Jukes, and the pictures were done by Tomas B. Allen. There's a little boy named Austin. He goes to his grandparent's house every summer. He's not so happy this time, his grandfather past away not so long ago and so this time it's just his grandmother and him. He goes to pick some blakberries by the riuer. His grandmother comes up later with some fishing gear. His grandfather was going to teach him to fly fish that year, but now the grandmother is going to try to teach him even though she doesn't know how, she was thinking maybe her and her grandson could try to figure it out together. Here's a phrase to help you see how they talk in this book. "I didn't Know" began Austin. His grandmother drew him near to her. "Nobody knew, Austin." She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Nobody knew that would be the last summer we'd all have together." She pressed Austin's cheek against her sweater and they stood there for a few minutes, roking back and forth. After a while she asked..." I would recommend this book to some people. I liked it because in a way it was touching but in a way it was fun. I woudn't recommend this book to someone that just really doesn't like calm books, they mostly like action books. I haven't read any other books like this one yet. It's good!

A deep reflection on death trough simple words

While reading this book, your heart is filled with sorrow. Sorrow for those who are already dead,and sorrow for those who remain. Through simple and clear images, this book leads you to reflect on life and its meaning...Pilar Barrera Wey.