Bee Battle: Spelling, Spiders and the Secrets of Like by Donny Bailey Seagraves

"I absolutely adored this from start to finish. It's dual POV, so we get to know Josh and Emily from the start. Although this is geared towards upper elementary-lower middle grade readers, it's really a fun read that even older readers looking for an easy read will enjoy. The story is full of rivalry, friendship, typical tween worries that kids will be able to relate to, and school cliques. Although there is a rivalry between Josh and Emily, neither really crosses any hard lines into hard bullying, although Josh was definitely trying to tease Emily when they first met. I loved how Emily handled that first meeting, and it wasn't how I expected it to go, and really set the tone for the rest of the book, which was light-hearted and fun. Overall, a fun read for younger middle grade readers!"-Lily Greer, LibraryThing, Goodreads, thefaeriereview.com

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Cooking With Annie D: Southern Recipes Seasoned With Seagraves and Pettyjohn Family History

"This book weaves together authentic Southern recipes with family histories from North Georgia. In addition to being a treasure trove of Southern cuisine, including chicken mull, cobblers, cakes, hash, and sausage, the "recipes" include a few unconventional extras, such as Annie D's "Recipe for a Happy Marriage," which includes among its many ingredients, "2 cups flattery, carefully concealed," and "3 teaspoons pure extract of 'I'm sorry."-A Reader

"Anyone Interested in Classic Southern recipes or who researches their own family roots in early Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and beyond will find 'Cooking With Annie D' a useful collection of food, history, and memories of good times, particularly in the areas of Clarke, Madison, Oglethorpe. . . counties."-Jude Cowell, Artist, Astrologer, Blogger

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Gone From These Woods by Donny Bailey Seagraves

"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's 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 Reviews

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Junebug Books Featured Collection

Celebrating 100 Years of the National Spelling Bee in 2025!

In 2025, spellers past and present are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the very first National Spelling Bee. Only nine spellers participated in the first bee. Today, their legacy lives on in the millions of students who compete at all levels of the program. For more information about the Bee, visit spellingbee.com. You might also want to read the book, Bee Battle: Spelling, Spiders and the Secrets of Like to see if Josh Meyers or Emily Ash wins the Hartfield, Georgia school bee.