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Gone from These Woods

Donny Bailey Seagraves - Author

The story centres on Daniel’s guilt and bereavement after a hunting accident kills his uncle. At home, his father’s drinking and temper add strain, while Daniel tries to find a way forward.

More about this book

I didn't want to go hunting with Uncle Clay that morning. Now I have to live with what happened for the rest of my life. It was just an accident. The rabbit ran away. Clay fell.Nothing has been the same for Daniel since that morning in the woods when Uncle Clay went down. Mom tries to hold the family together. Mrs. Hardy, Daniel's guidance counselor, tries to help Daniel after he loses his role model and best friend. Daniel's alcoholic father just makes the situation worse. The memory of that cold morning will stay with Daniel forever. But somehow, he must find a way to go on . . . for Uncle Clay . . . and most of all, for himself.From the Hardcover edition.

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

Guilt· ExplainedCoping· ExplainedParental alcohol use

Consider

Grief and lossViolence and harmFamily disruption

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

bereavementguiltcopingparental alcohol useangerfamily conflict

FictionNovel

Themes in Context

Grief, guilt and memory

After Clay dies, Daniel struggles with guilt and painful reminders, while memories of happier times become important to him.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: The story presents grief as difficult and uneven, with memories helping Daniel begin to move forward.

Talk about: If a memory is painful at first, can it later offer comfort too?

Family strain

Daniel’s father drinks and has a harsh temper; Daniel’s mother tries to support him, and he eventually finds strength to confront his father.Provisional reading

Talk about: If Daniel confronts his father, what helps him find the strength to do so?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

Daniel’s memories of Clay and support from his mother and counsellor offer points of connection amid the distress.

What Deserves Attention

Bereavement, guilt and distress are central. The story also includes a fatal gun accident, a boy pointing a shotgun at himself, and an alcoholic father described as abusive or bullying.

A Conversation Worth Having

If Daniel’s memories of Clay help him keep going, what do you think makes those memories comforting as well as painful?

Reading Approach

Consider reading together or checking in after the opening accident and scenes involving Daniel’s father. Let the child set the pace, and pause if the grief or self-directed gun threat feels upsetting.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

Grief, guilt and memory: Daniel’s memories help him begin to move forward.
Family strain: The confrontation’s details and its longer-term effect on the family are not established.

Gone from These Woods by Donny Bailey Seagraves | Open Library

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: General book context

GONE FROM THESE WOODS

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: Grief, guilt and memory; Family strain

Gone from These Woods

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: Grief, guilt and memory; Family strain

Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.

Heidi

Heidi

Gone from These Woods

At a Glance

Discover

Consider

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

Themes in Context

Grief, guilt and memory

Family strain

Why It May Be Worth Reading

What Deserves Attention

A Conversation Worth Having

Reading Approach

What remains unconfirmed