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.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: OwlCrate Jr
The Cost: $27.99 a month, $80.97/3-month pre-pay, $155.94/6-month pre-pay. Plus $6.99 USPS flat-rate shipping, $10.59 shipping to Canada, and $19.99 shipping International.
LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use coupon code FBGIZMO to save 10% off your first box
The Products: You will receive (1) hardcover middle grade book plus assorted gender neutral book-related items.
Ships to: U.S., Canada, and International
Check out all of our Owl Crate Reviews and the Book Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
An info card was included listing each item in the box as well as the theme for May: On the Case.
The World’s Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson - Value $9.65 on Amazon (retail price $16.99)
The World’s Greatest Detective grabbed me right from the first page. Toby is such a likable character with some sass and the dialogue in this book is spot on.
From Amazon:
Caroline Carlson, author of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series, returns with The World’s Greatest Detective, a story of crime, tricks, and hilarity for those who know that sometimes it takes a pair of junior sleuths to solve a slippery case.
Detectives’ Row is full of talented investigators, but Toby Montrose isn’t one of them. He’s only an assistant at his uncle’s detective agency, and he’s not sure he’s even very good at that. Toby’s friend Ivy is the best sleuth around—or at least she thinks so. They both see their chance to prove themselves when the famed Hugh Abernathy announces a contest to choose the World’s Greatest Detective. But when what was supposed to be a game turns into a real-life murder mystery, can Toby and Ivy crack the case?
Author, Caroline Carlson, included a letter about her love of reading mysteries when she was a young girl and how it inspired her to write the book. She included an autographed bookplate to be stuck inside the book. There was also an official world’s greatest detective identification card and license. I thought this was such a fun inclusion in the box and my son snatched it up right away.
Over 50 Secret Codes by Emily Bone - Value $5.99
This paperback book has 52 different two-page spreads, each with different types of codes. They each have their own name, description, and a short story or riddle to solve with an encoded answer. There is an answer key in the back for each puzzle. Man, I would have absolutely loved this book when I was a kid! My son is a little young for it right now, but it’s getting tucked away for the future.
Classic Disguise Glasses - Value $5.28
We always love receiving dress up clothing and accessories in boxes for fun pretend play at home. These glasses are great with a big rubber nose, fuzzy eyebrows, and a Groucho Marx style mustache.
Bookmark Magnifier - Value $2.95
This slim bookmark actually magnifies (2x) and come with a ribbon tassel. I think it fit the theme perfectly and is certainly useful.
Top Secret Tote - Value $2.00?
This black cotton tote will hold all my son’s detective paraphernalia from the license to the glasses and book itself. When he isn’t playing detective he can use it to carry books to and from our local library.
JUNE SPOILER ALERT!
The June OwlCrate Jr theme will be Gizmos and Gears. It says if you like making inventions and you notice puzzling things that others might miss this is the book for you. I’m very curious to see what book they pick for this interesting theme.
Verdict: What a great box geared for middle-grade readers. I’m constantly on the hunt for excellent new middle-grade books to promote to my 3rd-5th-grade students and this box will keep me filled with new releases to read and share. I thought the curation fabulous and I’m eager for upcoming months’ themes. The value this month was about $26 (using Amazon book pricing) which is less than the $34.98 total cost of the box ($27.99 + $6.99 shipping). I think that OwlCrate Jr has wonderful curation but I’d like to see their value increase.
What did you think of OwlCrate Jr?
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