Donna Bowman Bratton

Donna Janell Bowman is an award-winning Central Texas author, speaker, and editor. She’s especially drawn to true stories that, like lightning bugs, are too irresistible not to follow. Her books for young readers include STEP RIGHT UP: HOW DOC AND JIM KEY TAUGHT THE WORLD ABOUT KINDNESS, illustrated by Daniel Minter; ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S DUELING WORDS, illustrated by S.D.Schindler; KING OF THE TIGHTROPE: WHEN THE GREAT BLONDIN RULED NIAGARA, illustrated by Adam Gustavson; and WINGS OF AN EAGLE: THE GOLD MEDAL DREAMS OF BILLY MILLS, co-authored with Billy Mills and illustrated by S.D. Nelson. Donna’s books have garnered such accolades as starred reviews, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommendation, a Carter G. Woodson Award Honor from NCSS, ALA/ALSC Notable lists, NCSS Notable lists, multiple best-of-the-year lists, Junior Library Guild selection, Writers League of Texas book awards, and book fair inclusion. Her books have also won state book awards after being nominated by about a dozen states, including Texas. Donna has an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.