The boy on the front of the Gone From These Woods dustjacket is a real boy. His name is Luke Kitson and he lives in Ontario, Canada. The boy on the cover and the author have never met in person. But Donny says that as soon as she saw the cover art she felt like she had just seen Daniel. "Luke and the artist, Blake Morrow, of Canada, did a magnificent job of bringing my character to life," Donny said. "The scene, the deep colors, the expression on Daniel's (Luke's) face, are all perfect!"
Recently, Donny asked Luke via email to tell readers about what it was like to pose for a bookcover and what reactions he has gotten since the book came out August 25, 2009. Below are his comments.
"It is really cool to see people's reactions when I show them the book and they realize that it's me on the cover. It's so neat to be a part of this.
"I moved to Barrie, Ontario at the end of August which meant starting a new school. I am in Grade 7 and attend Hewitt's Creek Elementary School. I took the book to school to show my new friends and teachers. They were all freaked out and thought it was really neat!
"My old school is in Midland, Ontario and is called Bayview Public School. My friends and teachers from this school are also really excited about the book!
My Mom and I have worked together and come up with this information for you about what it felt like for me to pose as Daniel.
"It was a privilege and an honour to be pose as Daniel on the front cover. I love to read and really enjoy novels. When the photos were taken, I knew that the book was about a boy who went hunting in the woods and had an accident and as a result of the accident was going through a rough time in his life.
When I posed I wanted the readers to capture Daniel's character and feel his emotion. I tried to put myself in his shoes as best as I could. By looking off to the side and into the distance I feel that the scene created an image of Daniel in thought.
I want to thank you for including me and allowing me to be a part of this incredible journey."--Luke Kitson, aka Daniel Sartain on the cover of Gone From These Woods.