Addie Braver


Young Adult - Coming of Age
290 Pages
Reviewed on 03/19/2019
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Eric T. Bergman grew up in the Lost Elm-like town of Carlton, Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Morris, he slogged through half a dozen years as a paralegal in Minneapolis before becoming a middle school social studies teacher in western Wisconsin in the late 90’s, where he’s been ever since.
In addition to writing his first novel, Eric authors a weekly blog of musings, rants and personal stories called The Cheap Seats. Within those blog posts, in poetry and prose, the seeds of the story that grew into Addie Braver were planted.
Eric currently lives amicably in the Twin Cities with his cat Stella, though some days are better than others.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Addie Braver is a coming of age novel for young adults written by Eric T. Bergman. Addie’s last memory of her dad was emblazoned so brightly in her memory. She was only three and a half years old, and the sights and sounds of the airport were nightmarish and terrifying. It was a strange thing for her as she was, even at this early age, a relatively fearless and self-confident child, in no small part due to the close and loving relationship she shared with her dad. He was leaving now, and she had no idea when he would be coming back; she only knew that there was no way he could not be coming back to her. He gave her the Polaroid picture that had been taken of their little family, Addie clinging fiercely to his trousers as they posed. He asked her to keep it for them, to keep it safe and not forget. Addie studied the faces in the picture as the Polaroid film worked its magic, saw the familiar smile on her dad’s face, the worry and fear etched into her mom’s. As they watched his plane take off, Addie asked her mom what Vietnam was, not realizing that she’d never see her dad again.

Addie Braver follows an older, wiser Addie of fifteen who has had to grow up way too early in order to protect herself and her brother from the undisciplined and alcoholic stepfather she loathes. Her story is interwoven with letters she writes to her real dad, sharing her day, her emotions and her dreams. I loved reading about Addie and her little brother, Billy, and marveled at the way her mom sets in motion the mentorship the two fatherless kids receive at the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Carson. Seeing Lost Elm in 1977 through Addie’s eyes is an unforgettable experience as this fearless and utterly original young woman comes of age. Bergman’s book is beautifully written, his characters are vividly alive, and his plot works so very well. All in all, a debut novel of remarkable power and brilliance. Addie Braver is most highly recommended.