Blackberries in the Dark

"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 won't easily shed its warm afterglow."--(starred)Booklist.

Mavis Jukes is the award-winning author of several books for children and teenagers, including the Newbery Honor Book <b></b><b><i> Like Jake and Me </i></b><b></b>.  Her other titles include <b></b><b><i> No One is Going to Nashville </i></b><b></b>, <b></b><b><i> Blackberries in the Dark </i></b><b></b>, <b></b><b><i> Getting Even </i></b><b></b>, <b></b><b><i> Wild Iris Bloom </i></b><b></b>, and <b></b><b><i> I'll See You in My Dreams </i></b><b></b>.  Mavis taught school for several years -- and was a lawyer -- before becoming a children's book writer.  She volunteers as an attorney in the area of juvenile defense and is presently a language arts speci