Praise & Testimonials

Bicentennial Summer captures the turbulence of adolescence with remarkable authenticity. Mary’s journey—both literal and emotional—is layered with nostalgia, uncertainty, and quiet revelations. The novel balances adventure with deeper themes of family and personal growth, making for an engaging and thought-provoking read. A beautiful blend of history and heart.

A captivating tale that seamlessly blends history, culture, and personal growth. A must-read for every avid reader.

Bicentennial Summer is a thoughtful and well-written coming-of-age story. Mary’s cross-country journey with her family is rich with nostalgia, heart, and self-discovery. The 1976 setting adds depth, and the father-daughter dynamic is especially compelling. A strong debut!"

A Must-Read

I LOVE THIS! This story has such an unmovable place in my heart, and it has been such a privilege to work on it alongside such a talented author. I will be keeping a lookout for this title as soon as it’s published so that I can own my own copy! The best of luck to you, and I hope someday our paths cross again!

Join Mary Berelson in unraveling the transformative narrative of Bicentennial Summer - A Coming of Age Journey Across America, a literary masterpiece that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's heart.

About Mary Berelson

Mary Berelson still believes in the magic of a good story—especially the kind that makes you feel like you're riding shotgun on a long summer road trip, chasing big dreams with messy hair and missing teeth. Her writing captures the wonder of childhood, the awkwardness of growing up, and the quiet bravery it takes to find your way. With a heart full of curiosity and a pocket full of memories, Mary invites readers to rediscover the world through wide eyes and an open spirit.

Author Interview

What do you hope readers take away from Bicentennial Summer?

Growing up is complicated. Parents aren’t perfect. Sometimes, the moments that shape us aren’t the ones we expect. And, of course, I hope they enjoy the ride—because even when things go wrong, a road trip is always an adventure.

What was the writing process like for you?

I started out just trying to capture the trip as I remembered it, but it wasn’t until I shifted from memoir to fiction that the story really came to life. I had to let go of trying to stick to the exact facts and instead focus on what made the best story. I also learned a lot about structure—how to shape a novel, how to build tension, how to pace a journey. My process was a mix of careful planning and following inspiration when it struck. I kept a storyboard covered in colorful Post-it notes, constantly moving them around as I refined the plot, making sure the pacing felt right. Some days, I was deep in that planning stage, shifting scenes back and forth. Other days, I was just typing away with my laptop on a tiny TV tray by the woodstove.

Travel plays a big role in the book. What made this journey such a compelling backdrop?

Road trips strip things down. You’re together in a car, in motels, at roadside diners—there’s no escape from each other, for better or worse. The changing landscapes also mirror Mary’s shifting perspective. She starts the trip wide-eyed and trusting, excited for an adventure. But as they travel—through the vast openness of the Great Plains, the neon-lit motels of Nevada, and the crowded streets of San Francisco—she’s slowly seeing her father in a different light. By the time they break down in Texas, she’s realizing that sometimes, adventure isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Why did you choose 1976 as the setting?

The real trip happened that year, but beyond that, the Bicentennial was such a unique cultural moment. Patriotism was everywhere—flags, parades, commemorative coins—and it all seemed so certain and celebratory. But beneath the surface, the country was shifting. The Vietnam War had ended, Watergate was fresh in people’s minds, and economic struggles were growing. That contrast fascinated me, especially since Mary is also going through a shift—she’s starting to see cracks in the people and ideas she once trusted.

How did your background as a teacher influence your writing?

My teaching career has deeply influenced my writing, both in practical ways and in terms of perspective. I spent over twenty-five years teaching kindergarten and first grade, which helped me cultivate a childlike sense of wonder and a “green and growing” attitude toward life. Young children live so fully in the moment—they ask big questions, notice small details, and embrace imagination without hesitation. That spirit has stayed with me and helped shape the lens through which I write, especially when crafting characters who are just beginning to make sense of the world around them.

Later, teaching middle school allowed me to stay connected to that in-between stage—that tender, transformative time when you’re not a little kid anymore, but not quite a teenager either. It’s such a rich emotional space, full of uncertainty, yearning, and discovery. I’ve spent years helping students find their voices, and in doing so, I became more attuned to the rhythm and power of storytelling—how to shape a scene, how to let emotion build, how to make a moment matter.

Perhaps most importantly, teaching gave me a deep respect for young readers. I learned never to talk down to them, because they are capable of deep emotional understanding and complex thought. That respect carries into my writing. I want my stories to meet readers where they are, to offer both truth and hope, and to honor the depth of their experience—no matter their age.

What inspired you to write Bicentennial Summer?

I wanted to capture that push and pull—how you can love someone deeply and still be hurt or disappointed by them. Mary adores her father. She shares a special bond with him, especially in their morning flag-raising ritual. But she’s also beginning to recognize his flaws—his recklessness, his bad decisions, the way he lets people down. It’s that moment in childhood where you realize your parents aren’t just “the adults”—they’re people, and they don’t always get it right. I think many of us have had to navigate that realization.

With so many books out in the world, how do you imagine yours getting noticed?

Okay, picture this: I’m just running errands here in Tennessee—maybe grabbing coffee, maybe at the farmers market—when who do I bump into but Reese Witherspoon. She compliments my tote bag (because it’s adorable), and as I’m pulling something out, she spots my printed manuscript of Bicentennial Summer. She asks about it. I give her the pitch. She takes it home.
A few days later—ring ring!—it’s Reese herself, calling me directly. Her voice is as charming and Reese-y as you’d expect. She says, “I couldn’t put it down. Let’s make it a Reese’s Book Club pick.”
That’s my daydream: one perfectly timed coincidence, a Southern superstar, and a scrappy little book that somehow finds its way into the spotlight.

Any final thoughts?

This story has been with me for a long time. It started as a memoir about a road trip I took with my father and younger sisters in 1976, but over time, I shaped it into fiction. The emotions and themes—family, coming of age, and reckoning with a parent’s flaws—are deeply personal, even if the events in the book don’t exactly match real life. I think a lot of us look back at childhood and realize certain things were more complicated than we understood at the time. That’s what I wanted to explore through Mary’s journey.