My Bicentennial Summer: True Adventures from the Most Epic Family Road Trip of All Time

Gr 3-6–Acclaimed author Neri brings his family’s 1976 road trip across America to life with photos, anecdotes, and an eclectic array of facts about American history. Just in time for the U.S. Sesquicentennial comes a book about an epic road trip taken by the then eight-year-old author and his family to celebrate the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial in Washington D.C., covering over 7,000 miles across 26 states. Along the way, Neri encountered awe-inspiring natural landscapes, strange accents, weird food (Jello-marinated pickles, anyone?), outlandish roadside attractions, and humbling historical monuments. Eventually the family experienced Bicentennial celebrations in both Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, where they unexpectedly came upon not a parade but a protest march, before heading home. A lively combination of the author’s own Polaroid photos, maps, and hand-drawn illustrations, paired with text that is lighthearted and kid-friendly while also touching on serious subjects, makes this a fun and educational read. Extensive and fascinating back matter could easily fill another book. Topics range from the events that triggered the Revolutionary War to voting rights of African-Americans and women to the biggest protests in U.S. history to the Pledge of Allegiance to the use of seat belts. Also included is a recommended reading list and source notes.