New Year, New Reads: A Giveaway to Help Kids Discover Unexpected Adventures
- Lindsay Li
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
Ah the start of a new year. There's that sense of a clean slate, fresh energy, and of course, new stories waiting to be discovered.
At Midsummer Books, we love championing books that don’t always land on the flashy “Top 10” lists but are every bit as magical, moving, and memorable. Our New Year, New Reads activity is all about helping kids and teens step outside the usual bestsellers and find their next unexpected favorite. In the process, they can enter for a chance to win a free book
How our giveaway works
Stop by the shop Thurs-Sun with your child to join in:
Browse our New Year, New Read table, filled with amazing, under-the-radar titles for ages 6–18.
Have your child read the back covers and see what calls to them (if possible don't peek at the front of the cover! Stick to the summary)
Pick your favorite book on the table
Fill out a quick entry card with your info, and place it in the voting box
Follow us on instagram @midsummer_books: we will announce a winner for each book featured on the table!
A low-pressure, high-delight way to start 2026 with something fresh.
Our 2026 Picks: Exceptional books you haven't met yet
We curated titles that are beautiful, surprising, emotionally rich, or wildly imaginative — but not already everywhere. These are the gems kids deserve to discover. Some are award-winners, all are beautifully written, or deeply engaging, yet overlooked by many young readers. A few highlights you will find on display:
Chapter book: The Kingdom of Wrenly — Jordan Quinn
A gentle, magical fantasy series that bridges the transition between early readers and chapter books. Dragons, kingdoms, mermaids. Expect pure fun, minus the overwhelm of big fantasy novels.
Chapter book: Legionarios — Luis León
Fast-paced, funny, vibrant, and culturally rich. Perfect for bilingual readers or kids wanting something outside the typical fantasy/school stories.
Graphic Novel: The Tea Dragon Society — Katie O’Neill
Soft, cozy fantasy about crafting, care, friendship, and magical tea dragons. A modern classic that still feels like a secret discovery.
MG Novel: The Girl Who Drank the Moon — Kelly Barnhill
A lyrical, magical tale of witches, monsters, and a moon-blessed girl. Kids who try it fall in love — they just need the nudge.
Upper MG Novel: As Brave As You — Jason Reynolds
A moving, character-driven novel that kids miss unless someone puts it directly in their hands.
Graphic Novel: American Born Chinese — Gene Luen Yang
A groundbreaking graphic novel that blends folklore, humor, identity, and representation. Deep, smart, and conversation-starting — and still new to many teens.
YA+ Novel: Hula — Jasmin Iolani Hakes
A gorgeous, powerful YA crossover novel steeped in Hawaiian identity, culture, and coming-of-age themes. Beautifully written and refreshingly different from typical YA.
A bridge to new experiences and great authors
This isn’t about the most popular books.It’s about the possibility of discovery.
Kids can:
Try genres they’ve never explored
Meet authors they haven’t heard of
Take chances on books that surprise them
Trust their curiosity rather than trends
And maybe even win the book they fall for.
Optional: New Year, New Reads bonus entries
Want an extra chance to win?
Choose any (or all!) of these optional bonus entries:
Follow @midsummer_books
Comment with a book your kid loves that you wish more kids knew about
Tag a friend with a kid who loves to read
No social media required to enter. Every kid can join with the in-store entry card.
We will choose 5 winners from our online participation.
Start the year with wonder
Our New Year, New Reads table is ready and full of books waiting for the right reader to pick them up.
Stop by Midsummer Books, take your time, and discover something unexpected.
Wishing you a joyful, book-filled 2026! 💛📚
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