I Was Once A Sweet Child

He was once a sweet child.
Until cruelty changed everything.

When a single act of bullying turns violent, the damage does not end, it spreads. I Was Once a Sweet Child is a raw, multi-voiced young adult novel that explores what happens after harm, silence, and regret take hold.

Told through the perspectives of two teens, alongside the victims, aggressors, and bystanders surrounding them, the story reveals how easily a child's identity can fracture, how guilt and grief linger, and how accountability can arrive too late.

This is not a story about good kids and bad kids. It is about real life, about how difficult it can be to grow up as a young boy, the influence fathers have on their sons, and the quiet, lasting ways pain shapes who we become.

At its heart, this novel captures the fragile moment when a child stops being sweet, and begins becoming someone else simply to survive.

When Josh and Brad's lives collide, the consequences spiral in unexpected and dangerous ways. The novel examines how bullying alters perception, fuels regret, and pushes ordinary children toward choices they never imagined making. It is also a reminder of how powerful kindness can be, even when it feels hardest to offer.

"It's a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading."
-Tommy Teeter, Book Reviewer

Written by licensed therapist Danette Simmons, author of the popular children's book, A Bad Case of ANT-itis.

Raised in Texas, Simmons brings deep empathy and real-world understanding to every story she tells, creating narratives that feel honest, compassionate, and deeply human.

Having witnessed firsthand the lasting effects of bullying on identity, self-worth, and family dynamics, Simmons captures the authentic voices of adolescents navigating peer pressure, social hierarchies, and emotional pain. Her work sheds light on the difficult realities facing youth, while still offering hope and a path toward healing.

Beyond her writing, Simmons is an advocate for anti-bullying awareness and youth mental health, establishing herself as a powerful and compassionate voice in contemporary young adult fiction.