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The rapid development of digital culture has reshaped how adolescents access information, construct meaning, and interact socially. While information is increasingly abundant, opportunities for deep reflection, critical engagement, and the cultivation of social values remain limited. In this context, non-formal literacy communities such as book clubs emerge as alternative spaces for fostering both intellectual and social development. This study aims to analyze how solidarity values and critical thinking are constructed through symbolic interaction within the Semarang Book Club community. This research employs a qualitative approach grounded in symbolic interactionism as articulated by George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation analysis involving adolescent members and community facilitators. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns of meaning-making, interaction, and value construction. The findings reveal that symbolic interaction in the Semarang Book Club is built through recurring social practices, including silent reading, book reviews, and collective discussions. Books function not merely as reading materials but as symbolic media that stimulate dialogue, negotiation of meaning, and reflective thinking. Through these interactions, members develop solidarity characterized by mutual acceptance, respect for diverse perspectives, a sense of belonging, and collective identity. Simultaneously, critical thinking is fostered through dialogic discussions, openness to differing interpretations, and continuous negotiation of meaning. The role of community facilitators is central in creating a safe and inclusive environment that supports self-expression and reflective engagement. This study concludes that the Semarang Book Club serves as a meaningful social space where symbolic interaction effectively contributes to the construction of solidarity values and critical thinking among adolescents. These findings highlight the potential of community-based literacy initiatives as complementary agents of socialization beyond formal educational institutions. Keywords: symbolic interaction, solidarity values, critical thinking, book club community