Gone From These Woods by Donny Bailey Seagraves

Gone From These Woods by Donny Bailey Seagraves. First Yearling paperback edition, first printing. Published 2011 by Random House Children's Books. ISBN 978-0-375-84504-8. Signed by author on title page. May be inscribed by author also upon request.

Summary: Feeling like a monstrous villain in one of his comic books, eleven-year-old Daniel tries to cope with the guilt after accidentally killing his beloved uncle while hunting in the woods of North Georgia. RL: 5.0. For ages 9-12 and above. Children's Middle Grade Novel and YA. Cover art copyright 2009 by Blake Morrow. Originally published in 2009 as a Random House Delacorte Press hardback edition.

Gone From These Woods Reviews

"There is a lot of complexity in this coming-of-age novel. Sensitive younger readers will be drawn in by Daniel’s story, which can be likened to a more emotional twin of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet."—Booklist


"The dynamics of the Sartain family are well-developed and genuine as a result of Daniel’s authentic first-person narration. Seagraves’ debut should leave readers weighing death, guilt and forgiveness."—Publisher’s Weekly

"A dramatic story, and Seagraves sets it up effectively . . . a useful introduction to the devastating truth that an unintended and momentary mistake can change lives forever."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Recommended

"Depicts a realistic portrayal of grief from a youth’s perspective . . . Boys will take interest in Daniel’s internal superhero-vs.-villain battle."—Kirkus Reviews

"Understanding or coping with an accidental death is  seldom so directly connected to real responsibility or the need to make peace with such a mistake. Seagraves shows the best way for support to be given as well as  how hard it is to forgive."—School Library Journal For more information, visit www.donnyseagraves.com.