Bicentennial Summer: A Coming of Age Journey Across America

In the summer of America’s Bicentennial, thirteen-year-old Mary climbs into the back seat of her father’s beat-up, baby-blue Peugeot, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. With her little twin sisters in tow, the family sets out across the country chasing promise and possibility—but the farther they travel, the more Mary begins to see her father, and the world around her, in a new light.

From roadside motels to sweeping national parks, Bicentennial Summer captures the spirit of a restless nation and the tender chaos of a family on the edge of change. Both nostalgic and deeply human, it’s a portrait of innocence lost, resilience found, and the enduring hope that love—however imperfect—can still bring us home.

Praise for Bicentennial Summer:

“[An] intimate epic of a debut.” — BookLife by Publishers Weekly

“Highly recommended reading, regardless of your favorite genre; it will stay with you for a long time.” — Readers’ Favorite

“Berelson has a gift for dialogue that rings true to a child’s perspective.” — Seattle Book Review

For readers who loved The Glass Castle and The Secret Life of Bees, this heartfelt coming-of-age novel travels through the landscapes—both emotional and American—that define who we are and who we dare to become.