Have you ever stood in a historical spot and let yourself imagine the people and happenings there? There is truly something special about being in a place “where it happened.” In this post, author Jennifer Robin Barr takes us to three lesser known historical sites in Philadelphia that have a role in her newest book for middle grades, THUNDER AND MERCY.
GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of THUNDER AND MERCY from Jennifer!
Congrats to Danielle Hammelef, winner of STONE BY STONE from Melissa Koch!
Spotlight Philadelphia
by Jennifer Robin Barr
I’ve been thinking a lot about the buzz and energy felt right now in the city of Philadelphia. Between the Semiquincentennial America250, the FIFA World Cup, and the MLB All-Star Game (not to mention the recent NCAA March Madness and PGA Championship), the region is in the spotlight in a great way, with a busy summer ahead.
This isn’t the first time that Philadelphia has been featured during a milestone celebration. Earlier this month I was honored to be invited to attend the AmRev Presents: World’s Fair Night at the Museum of the American Revolution, where guest experts Justina Barrett and Selena Austin of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania joined David Barquist and Colin Fanning of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to discuss centennial celebrations of the past: Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park, in simultaneous celebration with the first official world’s fair held in the United States, and the Sesquincentennial fifty years later.
It’s easy to be proud and a little in awe of Philadelphia when learning from historians about these celebrations, from the fairground architecture, to artists, to key players, and politics. I often say that I’m drawn to lesser-known stories from our past, and this is the kind of rich history that I am eager to highlight in unique ways through historical fiction. My next middle grade novel, THUNDER AND MERCY, is set in 1979 Philadelphia, and I wanted to embrace the city as a character, and for the reader to feel that connection as the mystery unfolded. The story takes you from Mount Pleasant, a home once owned by Benedict Arnold in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, to featured popular sites like the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia City Hall, Ben Franklin’s grave at the Christ Church Burial Ground, and Elfreth’s Alley.
Beyond these well-known locations, THUNDER AND MERCY highlights three Philadelphia landmarks with historical significance, and while technically not hidden gems, they are rarely on the top-10 lists of places to visit (though, yes, these are all wonderful!)
Laurel Hill Cemetery: Founded in 1836 and covering seventy-four acres, Laurel Hill has rolling greens covered by elaborate sculptures, hillside tombs, and grand mausoleums. It’s a certified arboretum and the first cemetery in the United States to be designated a National Historic Landmark. For an excellent look at the history of Laurel Hill, check out Jennifer O’Donnell’s Buried Philadelphia: The Cemeteries and Burial Grounds of the City of Brotherly Love.
The Free Library of Philadelphia: Explore the Library’s Centennial Exhibition Collection online, and visit the historic building in person to see the amazing collection of books, digital records, events, and archives. For a special treat, check out the weekly curator-led events in the Rare Book Collection.
The Free Quaker Meetinghouse: Located on Independence Mall, it’s often overlooked in favor of more popular attractions like the Liberty Bell and Congress Hall. The Religious Society of Free Quakers constructed the building in 1783, and is considered to be the oldest surviving Quaker meetinghouse in the city limits. The inscription stonelocated at the top of the building is a key element of the mystery in THUNDER AND MERCY. (The Free Quaker Meetinghouse is not far from the must-see Museum of the American Revolution, so make a day of it!)
We are all excited for the spotlight on Philadelphia this summer. If you are among the many visitors traveling to the City of Brotherly Love to celebrate America250, just as so many have done during celebrations of the past, consider adding these special landmarks to your itinerary!
Don’t forget to leave a comment below to get in the drawing for a copy of THUNDER AND MERCY! (US addresses only, please. Winner announced 5/29/26)
Jennifer Robin Barr is a Philadelphia-based writer focusing on middle-grade novels and is drawn to little-known nuggets of history. Her debut novel, GOODBYE, MR. SPALDING (Astra Publishing, 2019), was named a 2019 Top-10 Sports Books for Youth by the American Library Association.
Jennifer’s next book, THUNDER AND MERCY (Astra Publishing, July 14, 2026) is a historical fiction mystery set in Philadelphia’s Mount Pleasant, a wedding gift from Benedict Arnold to his bride Peggy Shippen, and involves secret letters and found diaries. Fast-paced and full of twists, this suspenseful middle grade novel transports young readers between the 1770s and 1970s as the truth behind a Revolutionary-era spy network is uncovered, and where friendship and family are found along the way.
When she’s not writing, Jennifer spends her days with her family and advising students at a local college. Find her on Instagram @JenniferRBarr, BlueSky @jrbarr.bsky.social and http://www.JenniferRobinBarr.com.
In a starred review, School Library Journal calls THUNDER AND MERCY, “A must-purchase for middle grade collections. A lively, genre-blending mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical intrigue, clever puzzles, and a strong-willed heroine.” New York Times best-selling author Lynda Mullaly Hunt, calls it “…that killer combination of a dazzling plot with characters who are rich and real and unforgettable.”
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Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 
Congrats on your book, which sounds amazing, Jennifer! I hope many people read THUNDER AND MERCY.
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