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Join us for a Mom and Me Book Club Brunch
We’re hosting a Book Club of Awesome… and you’re invited!
Join us for a Mother’s Day weekend Book Brunch with local author Kristen Mei Chase, celebrating her Gracie Wei series. This Mom and Me brunch and book club chat is inspired by Book 2 (where Gracie starts her own “Summer Club of Awesome”), and we’re turning the shop into our own cozy, creative book club brunch.
Gracie Wei Series
When a big personality meets big ideas, things don’t go exactly as planned. Sound like a kid you know? Then the Gracie Wei series might be a perfect way to explore social and emotional learning with your big feeler. The Gracei Wei series blends humor, heart, and the kind of real-life challenges kids face every day, making it a perfect fit for emerging chapter book readers.
Take You’re the Boss, Gracie Wei, the titular Gracie wants to start a “Summer Club of Awesome.” But what begins as an exciting plan quickly turns into a lesson in leadership, friendship, and learning how to listen when things don’t go your way. At its core, this story is about confidence, resilience, and figuring out how to be both strong and kind—especially when you're in charge.
Perfect for fans of Ivy & Bean and Dory Fantasmagory, the series stands out for its strong foundation in social-emotional learning (SEL), helping young readers explore self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship skills through relatable, everyday experiences.
A little about Kristen
Kristen Mei Chase is an author and essayist known for her writing about family life, relationships, and the complex realities of modern motherhood. Her books include her debut novel, A Thousand Miles to Graceland, her debut children’s picture book We Are American, Too, and her debut children’s chapter book series, Gracie Wei. Kristen’s work balances humor with emotional depth, bringing cultural nuance to her storytelling that is inspired by her own experiences as a multiracial Asian American woman.Along with writing, Kristen can be found driving around her four kids, and taking care of three dogs and one lizard in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
Event Details
Saturday, May 9, 11:00 am at Our Mutual Friend | Midsummer Books
This one is for our early readers and elementary school kids and their moms - and yes, PJs are encouraged!
Activities
✨ pastries + snacks
✨ a real book discussion (kid-friendly!)
✨ a hands-on activity
✨ time with the author
✍️ Opportunity to purchase a copy of the book and have it signed
Good to Know:
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.
Host an event with Midsummer Books
Are you an author, illustrator, publisher, educator, or book-loving creative interested in hosting an event at Midsummer Books? We’d love to hear from you.
We regularly host author visits, middle grade and YA signings, storytimes, writing workshops, and bookish community events in Philadelphia. If your work aligns with our youth-focused mission, we’re always open to thoughtful collaborations.
Reach out with:
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A brief description of your book or program
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Target age range
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Proposed event format (reading, workshop, signing, etc.)
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Preferred timeline
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Links to your website and social media
Please note: We prioritize children’s, middle grade, and young adult literature, with special love for local and diverse voices.