YA/Children's Book - Blackberries? and Boy who's father or mother dies

I'm planning a summer of reading the books I loved when I was 10-12.... I've been putting together my list, and searching libraries and book stores. This web site has been invaluable! In one afternoon I've had 2 books titled for me (I've been searching for years to find them!). So, I'm hoping I'll luck out with another 2...

The first is about a young boy and girl... its summer... they pick wild blueberries or blackberries... the young boy dies when he is stung by bees. It sounds like the movie "My Girl" but I remember reading a book many years before the movie came out.... any thoughts???

The second book is about a young boy whose father or mother dies (I think father) and he and his mother and a younger sibling move into a new house. At one point in the story the boy finds a dead bird and cradles it in his hands (I remember being very moved by that). At another point, the mother is working on a craft with the 2 boys and glitter is spilled... the mother turns to the older boy, the narrator, and says SOS...a code she had with the father... and he realizes she needs him as much as he needs her. ???

I think I've found the second book.... writing out the above message and detailing the bird, made me remember "mockingbird" I did another search and found it!

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird! by Jean Little

Any help with the first book would be really appreciated!

Touchstone fairy:
Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird by Jean Little

I've read the second one, it's good. But I haven't read the first (have seen My Girl and My Girl 2, both of which have novelizations by the way). The first query is often-asked about.

Here is the answer. A Taste of Blackberries Doris Buchanan Smith. Maybe I should read it one day since it seems so memorable, even if sad.

Out of curiosity what were the other two books that have already been found? Nevermind I saw the other posts.

cpiper - I'm so glad you posted this! I've been looking for the title for this story for a very long time! I remember reading A Taste of Blackberries wwhen I was a kid, but couldn't remember the title. :)

I second FlowerFairy! I'm pretty sure this is a book I read as a kid, and every time I mentioned it to people the only response I got was that it sounded like My Girl... which I haven't seen. Thanks!

I obtained and read A Taste of Blackberries recently; it's very good! The illustrations are great too. I got the Scholastic copy. It's a keeper for me.

My Girl is a great movie, I've seen it several times and now have it and My Girl 2 on DVD. They're worth watching. Both have novelizations too.