beTWEEN the Bookends is the first monthly book and lifestyle box created for kids by a teen herself! Boxes follow a monthly theme and contain age-appropriate books and lifestyle items that have been read and hand tested by Jillian, the 14-year-old creator. Full size boxes contain 2-3 books and 6-8 lifestyle items, while mini boxes include 1 book and 3-5 lifestyle items. The new gender-neutral boxes will contain the same 2-3 books in the full boxes but will have only 3-5 gender neutral lifestyle items.
The Cost: The Gender-Neutral box is $45 per month + free US shipping ($40.00/mo for the 12-month subscription track) while the Full-Size box is $55 per month. Save with longer subscriptions.
This review is of the beTWEEN the Bookends Tween Gender Neutral Box.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
October is here and with it are all the pumpkin spice, fall air, and cozy feels! With a break in sports, my family has been concentrating on some much needed down time, so the beTWEEN the Bookends "Booktober" box arrived at the perfect time. Featuring new books and a heap of awesome lifestyle goodies, this box always impresses. Read below to find out what this month's fun theme included.
First Impressions
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The contents of this box are packaged neatly in turquoise tissue paper and sealed with a sticker featuring clip art of a boy and girl. The anticipation of seeing what's underneath this tissue paper always has us on the edge of our seats. We just can't wait to check it out!
Here's What's Inside
Welcome Pamphlet
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Each month we receive a pamphlet describing all items included in each box. It is color coordinated and laid out very nicely. Featured on the back is a quote by Arnold Label - "Books to the ceiling, books to the sky, my pile of books is a mile high. How I love them! How I need them! I'll have a long beard by the time that I read them." Which as an adult is so incredibly true! Also included was a theme for next month's box... pets anyone?
The Verdigris Pawn by Alysa Wishingrad - Retail Value $16.99
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The heir to the Land should be strong. Fierce. Ruthless. At least, that’s what Beau’s father has been telling him his whole life, since Beau is the exact opposite of what the heir should be. With little control over his future, Beau is kept locked away, just another pawn in his father’s quest for ultimate power. That is, until Beau meets a girl who shows him the secrets his father has kept hidden. For the first time, Beau begins to question everything he’s ever been told and sets off in search of a rebel who might hold the key to setting things right. Teaming up with a fiery runaway boy, their mission quickly turns into something far greater as sinister forces long lurking in the shadows prepare to make their final move—no matter what the cost. But it just might be Beau who wields the power he seeks . . . if he can go from pawn to player before the Land tears itself apart.
We are huge fans of fantasy literature and this book has it all. With creative characters, a vibrant storyline, and all the magic you can think of, this book will hook you quickly! Hank and I enjoyed this story together, and found this to be a magnificent tale of truth, trust, and doing what's right. Perfect for the spooky month of October, this was a great pick!
Frightvision: The Cursed Coin by Culliver Crantz - Retail Value $9.97
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Welcome to the haunting world of FrightVision, where a single coin holds the power to unleash terror beyond your wildest fears. Follow the journey of RJ, a timid boy who is afraid of everything, especially the creepy mansion down the street. When his little sister, Shelly, finds an ordinary-looking coin, they trigger a dark curse that threatens to consume RJ's mind. Will he succumb to the coin's evil influence or will he find the bravery to resist its dark power? Get ready for a heart-pounding adventure filled with suspense, thrills, and chills.Blending spookiness and sci-fi, the FrightVision series takes you on a journey through multiple characters, as they face their own unique grave dangers connected to The Cursed Coin. A never-ending loop, a haunted graveyard, a backpack brought to life, and a peephole leading to another dimension are just a few of the experiences they will be forced to face. But the key to it all is RJ. If he can resist the coin, all of this will go away... but the power of the coin is irresistible.Transport yourself to a world of chills and thrills with the FrightVision series! With 12 bone-chilling books to choose from, there's a nightmare waiting for everyone. Whether you're a fan of mystery, suspense, or the supernatural, these books will leave you on the edge of your seat! So what are you waiting for? Your nightmare is ready. Let's begin!
Let me start by exclaiming how excited we were to receive a signed copy of this book! That was where Hank's excitement sort of ended. After reading the summary, he deemed it "too scary" and wouldn't even give it a try. My 8-year-old seemed a bit interested, but he too was worried about having nightmares, so we have set it aside for a daytime summer read. Perfect for lovers of R.L. Stine, this fit the "Booktober" curation perfectly, but was just a little too intense for my littles.
Cat Pen
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This month's first lifestyle item was this spooktacular black cat pen. With pointy ears and large gold eyes, this is perfect for Halloween, and gives me "Snowball II" vibes from the Simpsons. The nib on this pen is extremely tiny, so it writes very delicately, but is fun to use. Great for writing lists, small details, and doodling, this pen is really cute, and a great fit for this month's curation.
Sticker Pack
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Stickers are always a hit in our house, and these fall book ones were spot on for "Booktober". Hank's favorite sticker was the owl, so he added that one to his writing notebook, and I swiped the book geared ones for a couple of my students at school that have been really working hard on their "Book Buzz". A really fun inclusion that brings a little joy to three separate kiddos!
Handmade Beaded Bookmark
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I teach loom beading, daisy chains, and earring making to the 6th grade students at our school, so receiving beadwork is one of my all time favorite things. While Hank found it a little glitzy, he did use it for his Lucky Luke book, and found it kept his page quite well.
Exclusive Wooden Picture Frame
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Exclusively made for BeTWEEN the Bookends, this magnetic picture frame features the engraving: "Every picture tells a story" and comes with a slot for a small picture. I am terrible at printing pictures, so this item still sits empty, but I do have a couple pictures in mind for this cute frame.
Monster Stress Ball
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The monster stress ball was definitely the lifestyle hit this month. Covered with a rubbery yellow monster, this pink and glittery ball can be squeezed to release some pent up stress. This guy has found his way into my purse, and has been requested on more than one occasion. I have even found this thing helpful for myself! Fun!
Bigfoot Eraser Puzzle Set
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The last item Hank received was a set of Bigfoot shaped erasers that fit together into a puzzle. These multicolored erasers are fun to play with and functional. Perfect for the 5th grade setting, this was another hit and has come in very handy in the pencil box!
Verdict
beTWEEN the Bookends is one of our favorite subscription boxes of all time, and this month featured a perfect "Booktober" theme! Filled with spooky books and lifestyle items, Hank really enjoyed this particular theme. While the one book was a little too scary, he did enjoy The Verdigris Pawn and loved the stress ball, erasers, pen, and stickers. Overall, we found this was a very nicely curated box and loved the fact that it included fun and functional items. We can't wait to see what's in store for November!
The beTWEEN the Bookends Gender Neutral box costs $40.00 per month (on a 12-month subscription track), including shipping. Because the books alone are valued at over $26.96, I find the $40.00/month cost very reasonable as the lifestyle items help shape this box into an entire experience.
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Other Things You Should Know
Can I still get this box if I sign up today? beTWEEN the bookends tends to ship the first week of each month. Order now to receive the November box.
What did you think of the BeTWEEN the Bookends Tween Gender Neutral box?
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