Youth bookstore growing readers and storytellers

Spring Into Reading Bingo is Here!

Pick up your Bingo card in-store and start your kid's next reading adventure. Complete challenges, discover new books, and earn rewards!

Rules & Prizes

Upcoming Events

Bookish Craft Hour: Emotion Monsters: Draw Your Feelings

Sat, Apr 11

Our Mutual Friend | Midsummer Books

What if your feelings had a shape? A color? A personality? In this creative, kid-friendly workshop, we’ll turn big feelings into characters—drawing “emotion monsters” that represent things like joy, frustration, worry, excitement, or anything in between.

RSVP

Multiple Dates

Monday Morning Storytime

Mon, Apr 13

Midsummer Books

A gentle start to the week for our littlest readers.

RSVP

Wings of Fire: Darkstalker Two-Part Book Club

Multiple Dates

Wings of Fire: Darkstalker Two-Part Book Club

Thu, Apr 16

Our Mutual Friend | Midsummer Books

Start with the graphic novel, then dive deeper into the full story. We’ll explore how storytelling changes across formats, and what gets added, lost, or transformed.

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Beyond Books

Midsummer Books has the gifts your kids will love to give and receive, available for in-store pickup

Shop our curated lists on bookshop.org to find great new books for kids and teens

The Latest from Midsummer Books

Friendship can get really complicated in the tween years.

We see so many thoughtful, sensitive kids trying hard to belong, sometimes to groups that don’t treat them the way they deserve.
And the hardest part as a parent is they are not always ready or open to hearing it from us. �
That’s where books come in. The right story can help kids connect to what is happening to them and help them to:�– recognize what’s not working�– understand what friendship should feel like�– start to imagine something better

We pulled together some of our favorite reads for kids navigating all of it.

Our full list is up on the blog: https://www.midsummerbooks.com/blog We tried to pick stories for every reader’s journey, including some that throw in a dash of excitement and adventure for those kids who need an apocalypse to keep their interest.

#TweenReads #KidsBooks #MiddleGradeReads #ParentingTweens #PhillyFamilies

Spring is here, and we are so excited to announce our very first reading challenge that not only makes reading fun, but also rewarding!

This reading challenge is designed to help kids and teens explore new books, build confidence, and have fun along the way.

Pick up a bingo card in the shop and complete squares like: "Read outside"
or "Try a new genre". Every square is designed to make reading feel less like homework and more like fun.

Plus, we have partnered with some amazing local businesses to help some reluctant readers get more excited.

Pick up your card from Midsummer Books at @ourmutual_friend during regular hours.

Let’s make this a season of stories 💛

A special thank you to our local business supporters: @freehand.supply @mr.wish_fishtown @mothershiptoygallery @ramonasusansbakeshop and @kismetbagels

#SpringIntoReading #PhillyKids #KidsReading #FishtownFamilies #ChildrensBooks #PhillyFamilies

City of Dragons by Jaimal Yogis (with art by Vivienne To) is a beautiful graphic novel series that pulls you into a world you don’t want to leave.

This is a book for kids, but it is also one that centers on compassion and offers a realistic look at loss and grief. A gorgeously illustrated coming-of-age tale unfolds, about the struggle to feel normal in high school. Oh, and there are dragons. It depicts a world out of balance with severe weather and betrayal. The dragons, who are elemental offer the balance needed with the emphasis on harmony with nature.

What makes this one stick is how grounded it feels, even with dragons flying through futuristic neon-lit skies. The art is stunning, soft, and expressive, with just enough energy to make the magic feel real without losing the emotional core. It’s the kind of graphic novel that works for strong middle-grade readers but has enough depth that older kids (and honestly, adults) will get pulled in too.

If you have a reader who loves fantasy but wants something that feels a little more modern and real at the same time, this is a really good one to hand them.

#bookswelove #springbreakreads #booksforkids #readmore #staffrecs

I keep trying to figure out how to explain this one, and honestly…I don’t think I can in a clean, tidy way. But I loved it.

It starts with three teenagers who come back to life—one day they just walk back into town after going missing. And from there it gets strange and dreamy and a little disorienting in that way where you’re not always sure what’s happening, but you feel it.

It’s not really about the plot (even though there is one). It’s about love in all the complicated, messy, human ways. It’s about grief, friendship, longing, and the way love sticks around even when people don’t.

There were moments where I had to just let go of trying to “get it” and just trust the process. those ended up being my favorite parts.

It’s a little weird. A little haunting. But it’s also very tender.

This is one I can’t stop thinking about.#SpringBreakReads #StaffPicks #IndieBookstore #BooksWeLove

elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin is one of those rare books that quietly changes how you think about time, loss, and what it means to be alive.

At first glance, it’s about a teenage girl who dies and wakes up in an afterlife where everyone ages backward. But what makes Elsewhere linger isn’t the concept, its Zevin’s way of taking something that could feel abstract or even strange and grounding it in very real, very human emotions: regret, curiosity, love, the small moments you wish you could redo.

it tackles life and death in a way that actually deepens your appreciation for life.

If you’ve read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, you’ll recognize Zevin’s ability to play with time and perspective while still staying deeply rooted in relationships.

Elsewhere may be YA, but honestly, it’s one of those books I’d hand to anyone who is open to considering this life we all have and what we want to do with it

#SpringBreakReads #StaffPicks #IndieBookstore #BooksWeLove

Next on my list of favorites—The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This one completely swept me up. It reads like modern folklore, both lush and whimsical, but also with a deep sense of foreboding.

Within a fantasy context it explores the intense and unbreakable bonds between birth parents and the children who are taken from them, as well as the loving and equally as strong relationships among members of adoptive or chosen families.

What I love most is how much it trusts its readers. It holds space for big ideas—love, grief, truth, control—without losing that sense of wonder that makes middle grade so special.

This is one I’ll keep pressing into hands. It’s a beautiful read for both kids and grown-ups- basically anyone who wants to feel a little bit of magic again.

#MidsummerBooks #SpringBreakReads #StaffPicks #MiddleGradeMagic #IndieBookstore

You know those books you finish and immediately start thinking about who you need to hand them to next?

All week, I’m sharing the stories that have stayed with me. These are the ones I keep recommending over and over again in the shop because they just hit. The kind of books that are totally unforgettable.

First up: Moth, Me. Recommended graciously by another bookseller on my travels.

It’s strange and tender and a little unsettling in the way that all the best stories are. It doesn’t hand you easy answers but invites you to sit inside questions of identity, transformation, and grief...

I found myself slowing down while reading it, rereading passages, letting certain lines breathe. It felt less like consuming a story and more like stepping into a mood.

This is the kind of book I love having in the shop even tho it might not be for everyone because for the right reader it hits deep.

If you’ve ever felt a little out of place, a little in-between, and open to a little heartbreak, this one might find you at exactly the right time.

#IndieBookstore #BookRecs #WeirdLit #QuietReads #StaffPick

By popular demand we are finally doing a Wings of Fire book club! But there’s a twist. This is a two-part compare/contrast. Some stories are too big for just one format—and Darkstalker is one of them.
In this two-part book club, we’ll start with the graphic novel adaptation to get immersed in the world of Pyrrhia, meet one of the series’ most fascinating (and complicated) dragons, and build our understanding of the story visually. Then, in our second session, we’ll dive into the full novel to explore the deeper layers, character motivations, and all the details the illustrations hint at.
This is perfect for kids who love fantasy, graphic novels, or want to build confidence moving from illustrated to longer texts. Or just want to talk all things wings of fire!! full details and registration are up on the site. Midsummerbooks.com/clubs

We’re always working to keep our shelves full of the books kids actually want to read, and you can help!!

If your kids have outgrown some favorites, bring them our way. We’re especially looking for popular titles across picture books, middle grade, and YA.

Bring in:
✨ Up to 30 books at a time ✨ Cash or store credit offered on select books ✨ Gently used only (no water damage, heavy wear, etc.)
Every book you pass along helps another reader find their next favorite and keeps great stories circulating in our community.

Have a stack at home? We’d love to see it

Bonus: if your kid loved it enough to donate it, have them leave a Mini Critics review before it hits the shelf!
#keepkidsreading #kidlit #gentlyusedkidsstuff

We’re so excited to introduce the Midsummer Mini Critics Club!

We think there is no better recommendation than a peer, someone who gets what you're going through, so from now on, when you walk through the shop, you’ll start to see reviews written by real readers (the best kind, if you ask us).

We want kids and teens to share what they loved, who should read it, and why it matters—all in their own words.

Here’s how to join: 
📖 Pick a book you love 
📝 Fill out a Mini Critic review card in the shop - Or - share a video review and tag us here (with grownup permission)

We’ll feature reviews on our shelves, in the shop, on our blog, and across our social channels.

Every review earns a sticker 
✨ More reviews = bookmarks + surprises and even free books, plus plenty of chances to be featured

Teens have a chance to take it a step further and submit book reviews that we will feature on our blog - these reviews will be something they can proudly share with teachers, family members, and even list on resumes.

Learn more at https://www.midsummerbooks.com/critics-club

One of the things we care about most at Midsummer is getting the right books into kids’ hands at the right moment.

This stack? It’s full of those kinds of books…stories that feel a little magical, a little weird (in the best way), and completely unforgettable.

If you’re raising a reader (or trying to!), this is a great place to start.

Come by, we’ll help you find the perfect fit. #raisingreaders #readersgonnaread

Nothing like a fresh stack of gently used books to start the week! We got in some great picks for all ages this weekend😍

So incredible to have the talented Sarah and Kat in the shop last night, sharing their music and stories with us in celebration of their new book “How to Release Music”
While not a musician myself I learned so much about the process and about how we as appreciators of music can support Indie artists. Likewise, I was so touched by the people who are making music who can use this book to increase their impact and reach.
A few copies are still in the shop! Swing by and check it out and also follow @sarahgulishmusic and @katreinhert so you can hear their latest music projects!!

Whether your kid believes in leprechauns, the Sidhe, or just the magic of a really good book, we’ve got something on the shelves for them.

Stop by and find your next lucky read. 🍀

Next week! Meet the Author: Laura Parnum for our Spooky Stories & Tween Writing Workshop

Calling all young writers and fans of spooky stories!
Join us at Midsummer Books for an author visit with middle grade author Laura Parnum, whose stories blend creepy settings, quirky characters, and plenty of humor.
Laura will share a reading and lead a creative writing workshop for tweens, showing how sensory details can turn an idea into a thrilling (or hilarious) story.
✨ Author reading ✏️ Guided writing activity 📖 Book signing

Age recommendations:
* Ideal for: Tweens (roughly ages 9–13) for the writing workshop portion.
* Younger siblings welcome: We’ll have a simple bookish activity set up for littler kids.

RSVP: at link in bio or https://www.midsummerbooks.com/author-visits/laura-parnum
Midsummer Books 1219 Frankford Ave Fishtown, Philadelphia

So excited to host Sarah and Kat in the shop as they share their new book: How to Release Music.

How to Release Music is a practical, encouraging guide for artists who are ready to move from writing songs to sharing them with the world.

Sarah and Kat will join us Saturday, March 14 at 7pm for an honest conversation about creating, releasing, and sustaining creative work. Plus, they will be doing a live musical performance!
Light snacks and drinks will be on hand for the event.

This one is for the teens and adults - come join us, support local artists and learn how you can release your own creativity out into the world.

RSVP helps us with planning. You can do so via our link in bio, or on the site: https://www.midsummerbooks.com/author-visits/release-music

Fill your Easter basket with soft new friends, and sweet new reads!

So excited for our author visit tomorrow with @jessyoonwrites! To read from her new picture book Jeong is Jeong, I have a special snack and Craft time together. A few spots remain so you can still RSVP at our link in bio or on our site.

Stacks and stacks of books getting prepped and ready for delivery to Adaire for Read Across America week!
We still got extra copies if you haven’t reserved yours!! #kidsread #authorvisit

Tomorrow is Read Across America Day! For our Monday morning storytime we will celebrate the joy of books with some of our littlest readers, because reading can be silly, interactive, and full of surprises.

From laughing our way through The Book With No Pictures to pressing, tapping, and shaking along with Press Here it's sure to be a good time.

#ReadAcrossAmerica #ToddlerStorytime #BooksForEveryone #EarlyLiteracy #ReadingIsFun

Who doesn’t love a good choose your own adventure?? And this hilarious story invites young readers into the center of the action. Excited to add this fun story to our collection of books that invites kids to decide what happens next! #chooseyourownadventure

A fresh stack of stories — new to our shelves, gently read, deeply loved.
This batch of YA titles just arrived at Midsummer Books: powerful, diverse voices; unforgettable characters; stories that twist the narrative and stay with you long after the last page. All are gently used, in great condition, and ready for their next reader.
If you’re looking to refresh your teen’s TBR (or your own), come check out the full selection!

#GentlyUsedBooks #YABooks #DiverseReads #IndieBookstore #BooksForTeens

What if the things that go bump in the night weren’t just stories, but warnings?
The Jumbies is spooky, funny, and deeply rooted in Caribbean folklore, following Corinne, a brave (and very relatable) girl who must face mischievous spirits threatening her island and her home. This story blends chills with courage, humor with heart, and adventure with cultural storytelling that feels fresh and unforgettable.
This is the kind of middle grade book that:
* Scares you just enough to make you read faster
* Centers bravery without pretending fear doesn’t exist
* Invites kids into folklore and myth beyond the usual canon. #kidsbookclub #readingaddict #makeitfun

Local artists & writers — this one’s for you.

In 2026, I want Midsummer Books to feature more local art, more local voices, and more creative programs for kids & teens that centers literacy, creative writing, and great storytelling.

That might look like:
> selling your work in the shop
> hosting a reading or storytime
> leading a workshop or club
> sharing your published work/hosting a book release
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to do something like that,” this is your sign.

Send a DM, email me at Lindsay@midsummerbooks.com or swing by the shop.
No formal pitch required, let’s just talk.

#PhillyArtists #PhillyWriters #KidLitCommunity #IndieBookstore

This year will always be special… the year Midsummer Books opened its doors for the very first time. The year we unpacked the shelves, learned your kids’ favorite genres, and watched this tiny dream become a place people walk into and smile.
A huge thank you to every person who walked through our door this year. To the families who adopted stacks of books. To the kids who told us their favorite characters. To the teens who found their nook. To the grown-ups who kept saying, “We need this.”
Here’s to the year ahead 🎉 let it be one full of stories, bookish joy, and new TBRs for everyone in your family.📚

#PhillyKids
#IndieBookstore #mgbooks #yabook #kidlit

Plotting... literally.
Big things are coming to Midsummer Books in 2026. Writing clubs, book clubs for different age and interests, bookish crafts, and plenty of new stories.
I’m currently mapping out the next 4 months of book clubs, craft nights, and guest readings. I want this season to be our best one yet!
Which event are you most excited for your kids to participate in this year?

Book Clubs: What genre are we craving?
Crafts: What should we make next?
Writing: Poetry, fiction, or journaling?
Let me know in the comments and I might just add a new sticky note to the board! 📝

#PhillyParents
#FishtownPhilly #PhillyBookstore #YouthWriting #ShopSmall

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@midsummer_books

Youth bookstore growing readers and storytellers

Spring Into Reading Bingo is Here!

Upcoming Events

Beyond Books

Shop our curated lists on bookshop.org to find great new books for kids and teens

Best Books About Friendship for Tweens (Ages 9–13)

Classic Stories, Modern Voices: Why Retellings Work for Today’s Young Readers

Beyond the History Books: Contemporary Black Authors You and Your Kids Should Be Reading

The Latest from Midsummer Books

Follow us on Instagram

Hours

Midsummer Books
is part of
Our Mutual Friend

Contact

Youth bookstore growing readers and storytellers

Spring Into Reading Bingo is Here!

Upcoming Events

Beyond Books

Shop our curated lists on bookshop.org to find great new books for kids and teens

Best Books About Friendship for Tweens (Ages 9–13)

Classic Stories, Modern Voices: Why Retellings Work for Today’s Young Readers

Beyond the History Books: Contemporary Black Authors You and Your Kids Should Be Reading

The Latest from Midsummer Books

​

Follow us on Instagram

Hours

Midsummer Books is part of Our Mutual Friend

Contact

Midsummer Books
is part of
Our Mutual Friend