OwlCrate Jr is a monthly book subscription box for kids aged 8-12. They send books as well as interesting and educational book-related items.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About OwlCrate Jr
The Subscription Box: OwlCrate Jr
The Cost: $27.99 a month + shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first order
CODE: JRMSA2021
The Products: You will receive (1) hardcover middle-grade book plus assorted, gender-neutral, book-related items.
Ships to: The US for $7.99, Canada for $9.99, and International for $19.99
OwlCrate Jr May 2020 "Elements & Alchemy" Review
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This month our theme is "Elements & Alchemy" and we received this magazine which highlights all of our items. It also includes an interview with the author, a creativity corner with a few projects that revolve around earth, water, and wind, and some information on their monthly photo challenge.
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Quintessence by Jess Redman - Retail Value $16.99
It looks like our book this month is a pre-release that won't even be available until July! How special is that? Plus, we received a signed copy, too!
This story is about a girl named Alma who has a brightness within that seems to have dimmed a bit since she moved to her new town of Four Points. She can feel that brightness growing bit by bit, but it isn't until she comes across a flyer for an astronomy club and then wanders into a mysterious shop that things begin to really change. At the shop, she finds a quintescope the owner allows her to borrow and that night when she sees a starling fall from the sky, she knows it is her responsibility to help this fallen star. Alma finds a purpose in her new town and even makes some friends as she discovers exactly what quintessence is. Alma and the other characters are likable, the storyline is mysterious and it involves the element of magic which makes it a bit more exciting, and it is all told at a level that should be relatable to young readers.
From Amazon:
Find the Elements. Grow the Light. Save the Starling.
Three months ago, twelve-year-old Alma moved to the town of Four Points. Her panic attacks started a week later, and they haven’t stopped―even though she’s told her parents that they have. She’s homesick and friendless and every day she feels less and less like herself.
But one day she finds a telescope in the town’s junk shop, and through its lens, she watches a star―a star that looks like a child―fall from the sky and into her backyard. Alma knows what it’s like to be lost and afraid, to long for home, and she knows that it’s up to her to save the star. And so, with the help of some unlikely new friends from Astronomy Club, she sets out on a quest that will take a little bit of science, a little bit of magic, and her whole self.
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In each box, there is a letter from the author which always makes these deliveries feel a bit more personal to me!
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Map
We received this very detailed map of Four Points, the town from our story. It folds up and would make a very interesting card, too!
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Book Sleeve
To keep our book safe, we received this well-made fabric book sleeve inspired by Harry Potter's Potions class. This book sleeve is nice and roomy and features the same design on either side with lots of little bottles of potions including "essence of bat" and "dragon smoke," to name a few! This was designed by Melanie Demmer, a frequent artist for this subscription.
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Iron-on Patch
This iron on-patch is inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, and since it has the elements, I think it ties in nicely with our story this month as well!
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S.T.E.M. Periodic Table Test Tube Jigsaw Puzzle - Retail Value $4.95
This test tube puzzle contains the tiniest puzzle pieces I have ever seen; 150 of them in fact! They connect to form the periodic table of elements. I think this is such a fun little puzzle that could be great for traveling with, although those tiny pieces would be easy to lose!
Seriously, so tiny!
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Mixed Gemstone Vial
This tiny vial of mixed gemstones comes with some beautiful little rocks! Our booklet tells us that rocks and crystals such as these "are said to have powerful alchemical energy" which makes them a fun and perfect addition to this box.
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Notebook
This little notebook is so pretty and it features a quote from Carl Sagan: "Even through your hardest days remember we are all made of stardust," which is another nice tie into our book. This notebook measures 5X7 inches and it has dot grid paper inside to keep your notes organized. This was designed by Alexis Lampley.
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Sticker
Each box includes a collectible sticker that fits with the monthly theme, and this fun and fitting design was created by Ellie vs. Bear.
Verdict: This month's OwlCrate Jr box had some really great items that all fit within our "Elements & Alchemy" theme. The book sleeve is so nice and roomy that I could store all of my goodies from this month inside of it. The notebook is my second favorite item this month with its pretty design. I think the test tube puzzle will make for a fun activity and the mixed gemstones was a cute little inclusion that I probably would have appreciated as a kid. Overall, this was another solid month of exclusive items with a theme that worked well with our book! The only retail values I have are for our book and puzzle which comes to $21.94 so considering we received several other exclusive items, I think it was a great value for a $35.98 ($27.99 + $7.99 shipping) box!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but you can join the June waitlist here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first order
CODE: JRMSA2021
Value Breakdown: This box costs $27.99 + $7.99 shipping. We received 7 items (not counting the map), meaning each item has an average value of about $5.14.
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