“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“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“Depicts a realistic portrayal of grief from a youth’s perspective . . . Boys will take interest in Daniel’s internal superhero-vs.-villain battle.”
Kirkus ReviewsComing soon: Finding Fiction in Your Own Backyard!
Welcome!
I’m glad you’re here. My name is Donny Bailey Seagraves and I’m a published children’s book author living in Cleveland, Tennessee, 30 miles from Chattanooga and 120 miles from Atlanta.
I am originally from Athens, Georgia and for many years I lived in the nearby small town of Winterville, Georgia. My debut children’s middle grade novel, Gone From These Woods, which is set in the woods of North Georgia, was published by Random House. Find out more about this coming-of-age novel here.
If you’re interested in learning how I got published by Random House without an agent and after many years of rejection, read my article in The Writer magazine.
I love to hear from readers and writers of all ages. Use my contact form or send an email to donnyseagraves@gmail.com.
Summers of my Childhood in Athens, Georgia
Summer 2016 has arrived and life is good as we await the birth of our second grandson. He’ll be a July baby, born in the hot, humid heat of a Georgia summer. Thinking of the tiny boy to come and his older brother George, who will be 20 months old when his...
Remembering Muhammad Ali
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.-Muhammad Ali In 1968, staff members of the Athens (Georgia) High School Thumb Tack Tribune flew to Chicago over the Thanksgiving holiday for the National Scholastic...
Marigold Magic
Way back in June 1995, when I used to write freelance articles for Athens Magazine, I wrote an article about Winterville, Georgia and included a sidebar called “Marigold Magic” about the popular Marigold Festival. Today, in celebration of the upcoming...
History of the Winterville Marigold Festival by Donny Seagraves
On Saturday, May 21, 2016, the city of Winterville, Georgia, where I lived for many years before moving to Cleveland, Tennessee, will host the annual Marigold Festival. To celebrate, I am republishing this history of the original Marigold Festival, (1971-2002), which...