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.