Thirteen Miles from Suncrest

By Donald Davis

Book Overview

The novel depicts timeless themes of overcoming hardship and tragedy through a family's strength and love.

Born on January 1, 1900, on a family farm in the mountains of North Carolina, Medford McGee grows up awestruck by the rapid changes that blazon the new century. With the Sunday Nashville Banner, sent each week by Aunt Louise and read by Father on the porch, comes news of turbulent international politics and revolutionary new technology--automobiles with electric starters and airplanes that can cross continents.

Fans of Donald Davis will recognize in Thirteen Miles from Suncrest the same heartwarming wit and incisive characterization that has earned him a place among the best of American storytellers. Readers new to Davis will find in this seasoned storyteller's first novel the mythos of our American agrarian past, and with it the cadence and charm of a less hurried era.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874834554
• ISBN13: 9780874834550
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Down Home Life in the Early 1900s

I would highly recommend "Thirteen Miles from Suncrest" to people who like to read about life in the south in the early 1900s. Follow the main character, Medford McGee, as he grows up on a farm, his school life, his social life, and how he mingles with other people in the community. The book covers interesting historical happenings in that era and a young boys reactions to the events. This book is for people who likes to watch television programs such as The Waltons. I found the ending a tragic surprise, but I still found the book charming and heartwarming and deeply suggest the reading of the novel, "Thirteen Miles from Suncrest" for its gentle warmth.

one of the best novels I read this year

I like novels whose characters remind me of aunts and uncles I remember from my days growing up on the farm and this novel is full of them. The setting is Appalachia during the early days of the twentieth century. Davis is especially good at creating characters you come to care about. This is a great read for those who enjoy stories from the early 1900's and who enjoy rich characterization.