The Summer of '76
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The Summer of '76 follows twelve-year-
As their journey unfolds between Lexington and Concord, the two friends must race to protect their families' legacies—and the fate of a nation. Twelve-year-old Betsy Ross thought the worst thing about the summer of 1976 was missing camp and being stuck on her grandmother's farm in Lexington, Massachusetts. Her father has suffered a devastating emotional breakdown, her family is on the verge of losing their New York apartment, and now Betsy is trapped cleaning horse stalls and breathing through the smell of manure.
But the Ross Family Farm has secrets. Hidden beneath the barn is a mysterious cellar, a forbidden button, and a journey through history Betsy never meant to take. When greedy developers threaten the farm and corner Betsy and her new friend Nate underground, they make a desperate choice that sends them hurtling back in time - to April 19, 1775—The day the Revolutionary War began.
Blending history, mystery, humor, and heart, The Summer of '76 explores courage, community, family, and the enduring bonds between generations while introducing young readers to the people and places that launched the American Revolution.
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Endorsements, Reviews, and Coverage
“Readers will rally behind Betsy as she works to solve her family’s problem with a persistent enemy. She steps out of her comfort zone to work and problem-solve in ways that are creative without being destructive. Through kindness and compassion, she learns to help people work together to achieve a common goal and stand in solidarity against a ruthless and greedy enemy. Through moments of light suspense and humor, the author keeps the book fast-paced, thought-provoking, and inspirational. If your young reader enjoys the magic of time travel, American History, and heartwarming heroes, you’ll want to check out The Summer of ‘76 by Liz Bieler.” - ErinDydek, Reedsy Discovery
“Liz Bieler’s The Summer of ’76 is a lively middle-grade historical fiction novel that mixes a time-travel adventure, a family mystery, and a coming-of-age story. Twelve-year-old Betsy Ross arrives at her grandmother’s Lexington farm in the Bicentennial summer of 1976, worried about her father’s emotional breakdown and her family’s uncertain future. She soon discovers that the farm holds a secret time machine, and a confrontation with ruthless developers sends her and her new friend Nate into Revolutionary-era Massachusetts. The premise has plenty of momentum, but the personal stakes give the story its real pull.” - Literary Titan
Author Interview - Literary Titan
The Summer of ’76 follows a young girl as a secret time machine sends her from Bicentennial-era Massachusetts into the American Revolution, where she must protect her family’s farm and uncover its buried legacy.
Q. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story
A. I began this story remembering an abandoned shed hidden in the woods behind my childhood home in Massachusetts. My friends and I used to imagine who lived there and why. While I was writing, the words of Longfellow’s poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride”, played in my head. I learned it when I was Betsy’s age and am still in awe of the brave people Longfellow memorialized. I knew I had to pay them tribute.
Q. How did you balance the novel’s time-travel adventure with its more emotional story about family, healing, and legacy?
A. Read each chapter out loud helped me think like a reader. I also asked for feedback from other authors I trust and respect. Writing is like sculpting. Little by little, I removed details that didn’t move the plot forward and added others that did until I knew I was done.
Q. Betsy feels curious, impulsive, funny, and authentically twelve. How did you develop her narrative voice?
A. I was Betsy’s age in 1976. It was a more innocent time, which is why I picked it. I relied on my inner child to craft her point of view. Betsy comes to believe we can each make a difference, as do I.
Q. What kind of historical research did you conduct to make Colonial life accessible and engaging for middle-grade readers?
A. I researched everything! The topics included the American Revolutionary War, life in Colonial Massachusetts, the Massachusetts people, and the battles of Lexington and Concord. I visited revolutionary landmarks in both towns and spoke with a number of people to get the details right.