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 in the full boxes but will have only 3-5 gender neutral lifestyle items.
The Cost: The Full-Sized box is $55 per month + free US shipping ($50.00/mo for the 12-month subscription track) while the Gender Neutral box is $45 per month. Save with longer subscriptions.
This review is of the beTWEEN the Bookends Tween Full Size 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.)
April is here, and spring is in the air! We woke up in Minnesota to another six inches of snow, and I am over it! While the chilly weather is perfect for curling up with a good book, I could definitely use some sunshine right about now.
To make the start of the month a little more tolerable, we received this month’s beTWEEN the Bookends box, filled with “Petals and Plot Twists” goodies. Packed with fresh titles and engaging lifestyle items, it’s the perfect way to make reading enjoyable while also sharpening your skills.
Keep reading to see what we discovered!
First Impressions
The contents of this box are packaged neatly in bright pink tissue paper and sealed with a sticker featuring clip art of a pigtail-donning 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
Each month, we receive a beautifully laid-out, color-coordinated pamphlet that describes all the items included in the box. On the back, there’s a featured quote from Audrey Hepburn: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” There’s also a fun little hint about next month’s theme—artsy reading, anyone?
Hello From Renn Lake by Michele Weber Hurwitz - Retail Value $16.99
Annalise Oliver's family has owned and run lakeside cabins in Renn Lake, Wisconsin, for generations. This summer, she gets to help out while her younger sister focuses on being an actress and her best friend is babysitting rambunctious twin boys. It's the perfect opportunity for Annalise to work and spend more time by her beloved lake. When she was three years old, Annalise discovered that she could sense what Renn Lake was thinking and feeling. Now, at twelve, she still turns to Renn for comfort. But when a small patch of algae quickly becomes a harmful bloom, Annalise can no longer hear Renn, and the lake is closed. She and her friends must find a way to save the lake.
Perfect for spring reading, Hello from Renn Lake is a story about a family from Wisconsin that owns lakeside cabins. Annalise, the owner's daughter, discovers at a young age she can feel what Renn Lake is thinking and feeling, and when a patch of algae turns into a harmful bloom, she and her friends are determined to find a way to save the lake. This book truly is about community, activism, and fighting for the things you love - with a bit of a Moana feel. My 13-year-old son enjoyed this book and found it easy and fun to read. Truly identifying with the lake life, we found this book a great pick for our family and one we probably wouldn't have discovered had it not been for this subscription.
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O'Connor - Retail Value $8.99
All her life, the only thing Bird has ever wanted is to be noticed in her small town and to get to Disney World. As it turns out, Bird could have a chance to realize at least one of her goals because of a state spelling bee, and she might get to make a friend along the way―a boy named Harlem Tate who has just moved to Freedom. Harlem seems like a kindred spirit―someone like Bird, whom people don't usually take the time to find the good in. (Unless it's someone like Miss Delphine, who always makes Bird feel special.) But as much as Bird tries to get his attention, Harlem is not easily won over. Then Harlem agrees to be her partner in the spelling bee, and if they study hard enough, the two might just win everything Bird's always wanted.
This was probably one of the shortest books we’ve ever received in the Tween Book box, but that doesn’t mean its impact wasn’t significant. Hank really enjoyed it—not just because it was a quick read, but because the story was genuinely engaging. Well-written and full of helpful life advice, both my son and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Custom Pop Socket
The first lifestyle item we received this month was a custom pop socket. This cute design features a stack of books with flowers and butterflies rising from it. I’ll be honest—this one was just too girly for Hank, and he was definitely not going to put this on his phone.
I’m not a fan of pop sockets on my phone either, so I didn’t use it myself. Instead, it went into the school prize bin, where I know a little girl will be absolutely thrilled to receive it!
Monthly Sticker Pack
Hank loves stickers and really appreciated the variety in this month’s box—especially the animals and succulents. While he doesn’t use them in his notebooks like his brother does, he keeps them in an envelope to add to the thank-you notes he writes after receiving gifts, which makes the process a little more fun.
Custom Book Sleeve
Book sleeves are so much fun, and are such a useful item. If you read a lot like my kids do, they tend to throw their books in their backpacks, or bring them in the car, which tatters the pages. To help protect your materials while looking extra professional, these book sleeves fit a variety of sizes of books and keep them extra safe. This version was deemed "too girly" for Hank, so I scooped it up for my current book. Measuring 11" X 8," it features extra padding and does a great job at keeping books in tip top shape.
Resin Fruit Blind Bags
Little things are always fun, and Hank had a blast opening all of the mini mystery bags to see what was inside. There were six packages in total, each containing a tiny resin fruit or flower. While he isn’t quite sure what to do with them yet, he’s been hiding them around the house for me to find—and I have to say, it’s been kind of fun!
The cherry and apple are my favorites, but the little yellow and green clusters are impressively realistic. A fun addition to the box, these little surprises offer endless possibilities and were a joy to unbox.
Duck Themed Sticky Notes
Thenext item we received was a pack of duck-themed sticky notes. Featuring five different ducks, these tiny post-its function more like page markers than a space for writing notes. Each duck has its own hair, hat, and facial expression, making them really cute—but they were a little lost on Hank since it’s not something he would use.
Adorable in design but a bit small for his needs, I’ve put them to good use marking pages in my book study, which works perfectly for me!
Butterfly Keychain
Hank didn’t really need a fuzzy pink butterfly keychain in his life—but his mom did! Soft to the touch and the perfect nod to spring, I added this little keychain to my backpack as a colorful conversation piece. It’s also been a great little item to fidget with when life gets a bit stressful. Nothing like a little sensory relief for the win!
Wooden Soap Dish
The next lifestyle item we received this month was one I at first thought was a coaster. With a dished out center and slots, this wooden soap dish features the words "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Read" along with the "beTWEEN the Bookends" logo. To keep this cute little dish from slipping, it also has foam feet on the bottom. While this inclusion seems a little random at first, it pairs with another lifestyle item we received for a fun bathroom treat!
Earth Themed Artisan Soap
The last item we received paired with the soap dish: an Earth-themed soap bar from a small shop called Beach Bum Body Shoppe. With a sweet and fruity scent, this blue soap truly resembles our planet and sits on a fun little stand when not on the dish. Making handwashing extra fun, Hank loved this addition and has been using it every day since!
Verdict
beTWEEN the Bookends is one of our favorite subscription boxes of all time. This month's box theme featured some useful items that Hank, Charlie, and I really enjoyed. Like I mentioned above, this is the full-sized box which is aimed towards girls, but fits an educator-son duo just fine. The included lifestyle items were a great mix of fun and functional all fitting the "Petals and Plot Twists" theme extremely well. Overall we thought this box was curated nicely and loved the useful items, especially the keychain, soap, and book sleeve. We already can't wait to see what's in store for May.
The beTWEEN the Bookends Full Size box costs $50.00 per month (on a 12-month subscription track), including shipping. Because the books alone are valued at over $25.98, I find the $50.00/month cost reasonable, as the lifestyle items help shape this box into an entire experience.
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 May box.
What did you think of the Full Size BeTWEEN the Bookends Tween box?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.