Youth bookstore growing readers and storytellers

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

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Upcoming Events

Adult Craft Night (Crafters anonymous!)

Thu, May 21

Our Mutual Friend | Midsummer Books

Join us for a monthly adults-only night to learn a new crafty skill. This month we will be doing Book Bedazzling

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Multiple Dates

Philly Story Studio Storytime (1)

Fri, May 22

Our Mutual Friend | Midsummer Books

Philly Story Studio promotes early literacy with interactive classes centered around great kids' books! Our classes go beyond storytime, making the experience interactive with music, movement, and art. Each class will feature a book (or two!) that we read as a group.

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Drop in Craft Hour

Wed, May 27

Our Mutual Friend | Midsummer Books

All ages bedazzling

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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

We are open special hours the election day, 10-5. We have drop in crafts at 11 and 3, storytime at 10 and all day drop in and send a postcard to your Rep to ask them to stop the federal book ban! More details at our link in bio.

We’re looking for educators, artists, writers, performers, makers, storytellers, and generally creative humans who would love to lead workshops, clubs, camps, or drop-in activities at Midsummer Books / Our Mutual Friend this summer.

We’re especially interested in programming that helps kids and teens build literacy skills in fun, creative, low-pressure ways — the kinds of activities that make reading, writing, storytelling, communication, and imagination feel exciting.

Some examples:
- creative writing
- comics & graphic storytelling
- D&D/worldbuilding
- journaling
- zines
- mythology & folklore
- nature journaling

We are open to one-time workshops, recurring clubs, camps, or experimental weird little ideas.

Please note: because this programming involves working with children, facilitators will need current Pennsylvania child clearances before leading programming.

If you have an idea, we’d love to hear it. Visit our Link in Bio to fill out our form or send an email to Lindsay@midsummerbooks.com

A year ago I did my first pop-up with the kind of confidence reserved for people who say things like “how hard could it be to open a bookstore?”

Then suddenly I blinked and there were book clubs and story times and events and workshops and shelves and inventory.

It’s honestly a little surreal to look back at that first setup and realize how much has happened in a year.

And also — I still have SO much I want to build. More programs. More community events. More weird creative ideas. More ways to make this space feel magical for kids, teens, and the grown-ups who still secretly want to sit on the floor and read fantasy novels for three hours.

But this year has taught me something really important: tiny beginnings count.

So thank you. Truly. Thank you for buying books from an indie shop when it’s easier to click a giant website. Thank you for bringing your kids. Thank you for coming to events. Thank you for sharing posts. Thank you for telling your friends. Thank you for trusting this little dream of mine.

I’m still very much figuring things out as I go. But apparently that’s how bookstores are built: one pop-up, one recommendation, one community moment at a time

Okay, I need everyone to understand that I am not a sports person. I do not know what an offside is.

BUT.

I just got this incredible FIFA World Cup pop-up book and honestly? It is SO COOL. The engineering! The tiny stadiums unfolding dramatically like they’re accepting an Oscar! The little details! It somehow activated the exact same part of my brain that loves elaborate children’s books, dollhouses, and unnecessarily ambitious paper crafts.

There’s something so exciting about seeing Philly connected to this huge global event. Millions of people. Fans from everywhere. Probably someone crying dramatically in face paint…

Anyway, for those who love soccer, this is quite a keep sake, and even for those who don’t and just admire some good engineering via paper, it is incredibly impressive. #fifa2026 #phillysports #popupbook

We’ve got about one month left of school, if you need extra encouragement to keep your reader on track, and avoid summeritis (a very real common, non-medical term describing a severe lack of motivation, productivity, and focus, usually appearing at the end of the school year) make sure you grab your bingo card in the shop. Your kids can earn real prizes for continuing to read even when all they can think about is their future cannonballs at the swimmo.

We had such a fun time, exploring wings of fire in our Book club today, it is so inspiring how immersive this reading experiences is for a range of ages. Whenever we do events like this I like to give the kids a chance to do some writing as well, this included making up our own animous spells, creating unique tribes and playing a little “what if”

Can you believe we are nearly halfway through May? We still have so much planned for the month including a fundraiser for @fishtown_playschool this weekend, day off events for those pesky extra days off on the school calendar, and drop-in classes.

Also, a confession on best laid plans. I really am so excited to dig into more book clubs, but I recognize that May is just a crazy time for parents. So after today's Darkstalker event, we will pause youth book clubs until after the summer. BUT we will have so many fun drop-in classes centered on reading and writing as we make space for another chaotic summer of parenting. More details to come for June-August plans.

#raisereaders #phillyevents #eventsforkids

Do your kids like spooky stories? Weird little creatures? Mild emotional damage? Excellent. We have an event for you.

Join us at Midsummer Books on Friday, June 5 at 5PM for an evening with Bonebag authors David and E. M. Elliott. We will have all the usual: reading, Q&A, signing, plus a collaborative “story chain” activity where we all slowly descend into collective literary chaos together.

Visit our link in bio to learn more!
#booksigning #authorevent #kidlit

New time alert!

Join us at 10AM on Fridays for our a fun movement and story call with @phillystorystudio

This class is such a fun way to grow early literacy, each class includes a related craft and music.

#earlyliteracy #storiesandsongs #fishtownkids #phillykids

If there’s one thing you can say about May as a parent in Philly, it’s this: absolutely nobody knows what day it is anymore.
Days off, field trips, midday performances, spirit weeks… it’s chaos out there. So we figured we’d help fill a few of the gaps.

This Election Day — Tuesday, May 19 — Our Mutual Friend will be open all day with special drop-in activities for kids, tweens, teens, and grownups who just need somewhere cozy to exist for a few hours.

Most importantly, all day long we’ll be hosting a drop-in postcard writing station in opposition to H.R. 7661, the federal book banning bill headed to the House floor.
We’re proud to join the @authorsagainstbookbans effort to support the freedom to read and stand against legislation that targets diverse stories, educators, librarians, and young readers.

Schedule of Events
10AM — Drop-In Story Time (ages 0-7) 11AM — Bookish Craft Hour: Zentangle Art (best for ages 10+) drop in $10 1PM — Board Game Free Play (FREE) 3PM — Fantasy Map Making Workshop (best for ages 8+) drop in $10

Come for one activity or stay all day. Bring a friend, grab a snack, write a postcard, play a game, make something creative, and spend the day surrounded by books and community.

Space for crafts is limited, so we definitely recommend registering ahead of time through the link in bio.

#phillykids #booksbooksbooks #bookishevent

Huge shout out to @thatkristenagain for making our shop an extra special place to hang yesterday! Plus, she left behind a few goodies and signed copies!!

Oh hello, welcome! Apparently there are over 400 of you here now, which means I am legally obliged to share an "about me" post.

So hi! I'm Lindsay and I own (and obsess over) Midsummer Books - a youth bookshop inside @ourmutual_friend in Fishtown. I spend most of my time in the shop:
- aggressively recommending middle grade and YA fantasy
- laughing at the hilarious stickers I find on Faire
- carrying around boxes and stacks of books that are objectively too tall
- saying "I have an idea" and then immediately attempting to execute said idea in the most borderline insane way possible.

The shop is a special part of my life story, and I am so excited about this chapter. I opened Midsummer Books because I wanted to create the kind of bookstore I wish I had growing up. One that takes young readers seriously, celebrates imagination, welcomes teens, and feels genuinely centered on the youth experience.

And honestly, now that I am doing it, I love it more than I can explain. Even on the days when I am working with my partners @gusandrubyresale and @fingerprint.bookshop to build ikea furniture and rearrange the shop, yet again...(currently doing that now actually), or staying up way too late reading book reviews and obsessively trying to find a story for everyone, this space and this community we are building has become my true happy place.

So thank you for being here. Truly. Every follow, RSVP, repost, conversation, book purchase, and "my kid loved that recommendation" message means the world to me. Thanks to my shop partners for going on this crazy adventure with me, and special thanks to @ssmphotog at @icimageworks for taking these gorgeous pics of the shop!

And because I deeply want to know this about everyone I meet now...what book turned you into a reader?

This week at Midsummer Books:
Friday at 11:30AM: @phillystorystudio class- an early literacy class for kids and caregivers! �All weekend long: Shop the whole store and help us raise funds for Adaire while we restock the library classrooms and your own personal bookshelves! �Saturday at 11AM: Meet author Kristen Mei Chase and enjoy free pastries as we discussed social and emotional learning through storytelling with her Gracie Wei series- this is a special time for moms and kiddos to bond over books�Saturday at 1PM: Make a pressed flower bookmark for mom
All events are in our community room. Come hang out, make something sweet, support a local school, and stock up on books while you’re here. Is it our Lincoln bio all the event details!
@thatkristenagain @ourmutual_friend @tiny.jawn #fishtownphilly #phillyliteracy #kidsread #phillywithkids

A ton of new picture books in stock… I don’t just go for pretty covers (altho children’s book illustration is often stunning). I understand that when it comes to early reading, the reader is often the parent who has to read these stories over and over again. So I make an effort to find stories I could read on repeat in the hopes that if it becomes your little one’s favorite, you’ll enjoy it the first time and the hundredth time they ask for it…
#readinglist #picturebooks #readtoyourkids

This Mother’s Day weekend, join us at Midsummer Books for a special Mom and Me Book Club Brunch with author Kristen Mei Chase.

We’ll be celebrating her wonderful Gracie Wei series, which follows determined fourth-grader Gracie Wei as she tackles everything from spelling bees to summer adventures with heart, humor, and plenty of books along the way.

To make the weekend feel extra special, we’ll have pastries, treats, and plenty of cozy conversation as we chat about: • books and reading • social-emotional learning • growing up and growing together • motherhood and connection

Perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Dory Fantasmagory — especially readers who love funny, heartfelt stories full of big feelings and big imagination.
Come celebrate stories, family, and a little bookish joy with us. Join us at 11 on May 9 at Our Mutual Friend in the community room - and PJs are encouraged!! RSVP at our link in bio

Taking place during @nowandthen_marketplace   Be sure to check it out: @fishtownhappenings @fishtownneighbors @tiny.jawn

A new adventure is growing at Midsummer Books…

Calling all kids who love secret worlds, dangerous forests, magical creatures, and stories that feel like stepping through a hidden door.

Our Greenwild Book Club starts May 15th.

Over 3 weeks we will be diving into Greenwild: The World Behind the Door. We will begin the story together and at each meeting spend and time on:
- discussion
- themed crafts & activities
- adventure + worldbuilding
This will be a fun, low-pressure book club atmosphere

Perfect for readers who love:
- Wings of Fire
- Keeper of the Lost Cities
- Amari and the Night Brothers
And other great fantasy with big adventure vibes

No
Spots are limited — RSVP from our link in bio. #kidsreading #kidsreading #phillyfamily

Congratulations to our @librofm golden ticket winner Katie and our #indiebookstoreday swag bag winner Megan!!
And a huge thank you to all who came out and shopped our little Indie bookshop and @fingerprint.bookshop at Our Mutual Friend on our very first Indie book store day. Your support means the world to us!!

Thinking about all the fun places we will be hiding our golden ticket on independent bookstore day, April 25th! and if you find it, you’ll win 12 FREE audiobook credits. Sessions A few things to know:
– There’s only one ticket
– It will be hidden somewhere in the store and it will not be up high
– First one to find it wins - and we’ll be sure to post when it’s claimed

#IndependentBookstoreDay #LibroFM #GoldenTicket #ShopLocal #PhillyBookstore

Announcing a new weekly class in the shop!

Philly Story Studio is bringing storytime to life.

These aren’t your average read-alouds. Each class turns a great kids’ book (or 2!) into a full experience with music, movement, and hands-on art.

Children and their caregiver will read together, play together, and create something inspired by the story to take home.

Recommended for ages 2+ with a caregiver, but all are welcome.

This is a drop-in class, but space is limited so RSVPs are recommended (see link in bio)

This Mother's Day weekend, we're doing something super special - hosting a Book Club of Awesome!!
"What's that?" you ask?

We're taking a cue from Gracie Wei, a fiesty, witty, and ambitious 4th grader, who started her very own “Summer Club of Awesome.” But what started as an exciting plan quickly turns into a lesson in leadership, friendship, and learning how to listen when things don’t go your way.

This one is for our early readers and elementary school kids and their moms - and yes, PJs are encouraged!

We'll have a kid-friendly book discussion with the author @thatkristenagain
while we enjoy pastries and snacks.

While all are welcome to attend, we hope many can get their hands on the Gracie Wei series in advance so we can make this a true discussion that all can participate in. They are available in the shop!

For more info on the event, check out our link in bio

Two new releases we’re very excited about—one for your graphic novel lovers, one for your fantasy readers…

Lightfall: A Place Between by Tim Probert
If you haven’t stepped into the Lightfall world yet, this is your sign. Dreamy art and just the right amount of adventure. This series is perfect for middle grade readers and my daughter and I can’t wait to read this 4th installment!!

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord
This one is giving secrets, shifting identities, and high-stakes fantasy. A debut title praised for its unique body-swapping magic system, high stakes, found family tropes, and queer representation, and is the first in a planned series, I absolutely cannot wait to dig in!!
#newrelease #debutnovel #yafantasy #indiebooksellers

Looks like it might be a rainy one tomorrow but we’ve got a good reason to get out of the house join us at 11:30 for a very special story time with local author @christopherwink who will share his delightful love note to Philadelphia, Philly ABC’s…Little ones who love stories, cities, and spotting familiar places will especially enjoy this one.

Space may be limited, so arriving a little early is a good idea. Stroller parking is very limited.

Obsessed with these new activity books in the shop. Two new activity books just landed and they’re basically permission slips for adventure
Backpack Explorer: City Walk — perfect for turning an ordinary stroll into a full-on scavenger hunt Howl Like a Wolf — part playbook, part imagination workout (yes, howling encouraged)
Low-pressure, high-fun, and ideal for kids who learn best by doing.
We have a whole section of activity books. Come grab one and take the day outside!
#thingstodowithkids #kidactivities #activitybasedlearning #goexplorewander #indiebooksellers

Curating each section of my shop comes with a different lens for each age group. Young adult is a particularly interesting age group for a whole host of reasons. When I was a kid, I jumped into young adult and adult books around 7th grade. I was a shy kid who read a lot, and so my vocabulary and comprehension skills were high, but my emotional maturity was definitely not. So I wanted to just call out that this is a section that is told from the perspective of teenagers but is definitely full of adult themes. And I think that it is so appealing to so many age groups because the stories are intense, and fast paced. I love this section. I read from it constantly even before I decided I needed to have a bookstore. So I just thought it might be useful to better explain the category. There’s a much deeper dive about what to expect on these shelves up on my blog right now…#youngadult #yabooks #readwhatyoulove #kidlit #indiebooksellers

Huge new restock coming into the shop tomorrow!! I’ll preview some of my favorite restocks as well as new titles and games. Any titles or items you hope we’re bringing in? Let me know in the comments...(tho I can promise you there is no needoh in any of these boxes. That stuff is on backorder forever!!) #shoplife #indiebooksellers #indiebookstores

Special deliveries arrived today for the @fromourhandsfest! We’re excited to be part of the children’s section at the festival May 3rd, which is featuring some incredible children’s authors including @jessyoonwrites @taliatuck and Cat Nguyen. I’ll be there with books so they can do what they do best: connect with kids.

This is the kind of thing I especially love as a bookseller/shop owner: books connecting with community, and kids getting to meet the people who make the stories they love.

If you’re coming to the festival for the delicious food, be sure to come find us and meet some very talented and lovely writers!

Testing out the new gifting selections for the shop is one of my favorite things! Just got these beautiful watercolor and air dry craft kits from @breathe.people. But I love if it takes the guest work out of painting and clay unless you just meditatively do an analog crafting while creating beautiful art. This well watercolor kit is perfect for teens and adults, while the air dry clay kit is also good for tweens. These kits are now available for sale during open hours
#analogvibes #craftingfun #giftideas

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Follow us on Instagram

@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

What Does “Young Adult” Really Mean? A Guide from Midsummer Books

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

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

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

What Does “Young Adult” Really Mean? A Guide from Midsummer Books

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

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

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