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 17-year-old creator. Full-sized 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 as the full-sized boxes but will have only 3-5 gender neutral lifestyle items.
The Cost: $45.00 per month for the gender-neutral box + free US shipping (on a 12-month subscription). Save with longer subscriptions.
This review is of the beTWEEN the Bookends Early Reader gender-neutral box.
These boxes were sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Third quarter—here we are! I can’t believe we’re already heading toward spring, and I couldn’t be more excited. Winter is long here in Minnesota, and while we’ve enjoyed a few lovely spring-like days, we’re now bracing for a blizzard warning this week. Typical, right?
Charlie has a “Genre Bingo” assignment to complete this quarter, so this month’s beTWEEN the Bookends box arrived at the perfect time to help him earn his very first bingo. Packed with fun books and awesome lifestyle items, this box will help him reach his reading goals—all while having a great time. Keep reading to see what we discovered!
First Impressions
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
To start off the box, we look through the included pamphlet. It describes the month’s theme and lists the contents of every beTWEEN the Bookends version. This little booklet gives us a clear overview of what’s inside the box, along with a bookish quote, social media information, and a hint about next month’s theme. This month’s quote reads: “Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." - Franklin P. Jones
Heidi Heckelbeck Makes a Wish by Wanda Coven - Retail Value $17.99
When another magical spell goes wrong, Heidi makes a powerful wish: “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t a witch!” But when Heidi’s wish comes true, she has to figure out a way to get her magic back, while also helping her friends solve a few problems of their own. Only this time, she’ll have to help without casting a spell. Will Heidi realize just how special her magic is? With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost ever page of this extra-long story, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
Charlie loves the Heidi Heckelbeck series and was excited to receive this hardcover book. He especially enjoyed the witch theme, and although it was easy for his reading level, he loved being able to finish the entire book in one sitting. These books are fun and entertaining reads that both boys and girls will enjoy!
The Alien Next Door: The Mystery Valentine by A.I. Newton - Retail Value $5.99
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and Harris explains the holiday and its traditions to Zeke. When Zeke gets an anonymous valentine, Harris is excited to help him figure out who sent it, but Zeke is confused at the customs of Earth, and his efforts to get a girl to notice him by doing what Harris tells him to don't go quite right. Will Zeke be able to turn things around and show his valentine his feelings?
What a perfect fit for this box! Charlie is a fan of this series, and we love themed books, so receiving this right before Valentine’s Day was perfect. It was another quick read for Charlie, and he enjoyed learning more about the characters he’s already familiar with. He also really enjoyed the illustrations.
Macaroon Erasers
How cute are these macaron-shaped erasers?! Tucked inside an adorable little box, we received a set of five colorful “macarons,” each with a chocolate-cream center. Each eraser pulls apart into three pieces, which makes them even more fun.
The kids thought they were adorable and have already used them for their writing assignments. I even saved one for a coworker who’s obsessed with macarons. They were perfect for Valentine’s Day and made such a fun little gift!
Monthly Sticker Pack
Charlie loves stickers and really appreciated the variety this month—especially the goose and book bouquet. Perfect for his reading class notebook, these add a fun touch to his otherwise plain notebooks and show his teachers that he’s eager to learn!
Positive Affirmation Tokens
As an Indigenous Support Advocate, positive affirmations are something I incorporate into my work with students every day. I personally loved this addition—a small pouch filled with laser-engraved wooden tokens featuring uplifting affirmations.
While Hank and Charlie thought they were neat, they didn’t love them as much as I did, so they happily passed them along to me. I tucked the pouch into my pocket and brought it to school to hand out throughout the day. The look on the kids’ faces when they received a little token was priceless, and it felt wonderful to brighten someone’s day with such a simple act of kindness.
Flame Bath Bomb
Charlie is obsessed with bath bombs, so this one was his absolute favorite! Scented like fruit and featuring vibrant flaming colors with a fun flame emoji shape, he instantly fell in love. It made for the perfect self-care night, and he especially enjoyed soaking in a hot bath after a long day of basketball.
Tic Tac Toe Board
The next item we received wasn’t listed in the content pamphlet, but it ended up being one of Charlie’s favorites. He loves playing tic-tac-toe, and this version features books and hearts as the game pieces. It eliminates the need for paper and pencils, making it perfect to bring along to basketball games, car rides, or anywhere on the go. We love it!
Continuous Greetings: A Shared Card
The next item we received was another really neat one. This small hardcover book is actually a continuous greeting card designed for two friends to treasure over the years. The book is split into two sides, giving each friend a dedicated space to write. With six “pages,” there are prompts to share your story, followed by space for your friend to write back.
I’ll be honest—my boys probably won’t use this with their friends, as it’s just not their style. However, I already have several students in mind who would absolutely love it. I’m always on the lookout for fun incentive prizes, so this little book is definitely going into that box. I’m sure it will make one student very happy!
Verdict
beTWEEN the Bookends is a fantastic way to keep kids excited and engaged in reading, and this month Charlie really enjoyed both book choices this month. He also enjoyed most of the lifestyle items and has used the bath bomb and tic tac toe board a ton! Overall, this month was solid, and we loved almost all of the contents! We’re keeping our fingers crossed for more snacks, bath bombs, and fidgets in the March box!
The beTWEEN the Bookends Gender Neutral Box costs $45.00 per month (with a 12-month subscription), including shipping. The books are valued at $23.98, and the box included a nice mix of lifestyle items. This month, the $45.00 price felt fair as there was a good amount of lifestyle items and a hardcover book. It truly is a full experience—not just a book subscription.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
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 March box.
What did you think of the beTWEEN the Bookends gender-neutral box?
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