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 16-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.)
May is here, and we are on the countdown to summer vacation! With only four weeks left of school, Hank is doing his darnedest to hit his AR goal, so this month's beTWEEN the Bookends showed up just in 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
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 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 Albert Einstein - "Peace can not be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." Also included is a hint about next month's theme - I'm thinking outside reading?
Airi Sano Prankmaster General - New School Skirmish by Zoe Tokushige - Retail Value $14.99
Meet Airi Sano. After spending her entire childhood moving from one military base to another, she's excited to be settling down for the long-term in Hawaii. She's less excited about her new teacher, who’s determined to make Airi like school. But she's got a plan: prank her teacher so hard that she gives up on even trying to get Airi to do any work—especially any reading. But Mrs. Ashton won’t give up, no matter what Airi does. Airi will need the help of her new classmates—who might even be her new friends—to get Mrs. Ashton to crack. It’s time . . . for a prank war! With fun and funny black-and-white illustrations throughout, New School Skirmish kicks off a brand-new series for readers to adore!
This book is so funny! As an educator, I try to get my kiddos to like school, but haven't necessarily been pranked - and I'm thankful of that!! Hank enjoyed this book, and thought the story line was really well written. He also enjoyed the illustrations as it gave it a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" feel. Overall, both of us enjoyed this read, and while it doesn't have an AR quiz, Hank was happy to have discovered this.
Foreverland by Nicole C. Kear - Retail Value $7.99
Margaret is tired of everything always changing. Middle school has gone from bad to worse. Her best friend is becoming a stranger. And her family―well, it's not even a family anymore. So Margaret is running away to Foreverland, her favorite amusement park. Hiding out there is trickier than she expects--until she meets Jaime, a thrill-seeking, fast-thinking runaway who teaches Margaret how to stay one step ahead of the captain of security. At first, this after-hours, all-access pass to the park is a dream come true: sleepovers in the Haunted House, nonstop junk food, and an unlimited ticket to ride. But as the runaways learn each other’s secrets, they must face the reasons they left their normal lives behind. With the Captain closing in and Jaime's future on the line, can Margaret finally take control? Foreverland is an exhilarating story about riding life's rollercoaster―figuring out how to hang on and learning when to let go.
What a heartfelt book! While Hank hasn't finished this read completely, he is truly engaged in this writing, and has been spending his mornings working through the pages. He has likened a few of the characters in this book to schoolmates, and really appreciated the highs and lows of twelve year old life. A real winner so far!!
Ramen Fidget
Fidgets are a huge hit in our house, and this ramen noodle pack was no exception. With five colors of squishy noodles, this fidget is stretchy and bright. Packable for the car and in the classroom, these are a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, all while being quiet. A definite win!
Monthly Sticker Pack
Hank always enjoys stickers, and this month's versions were really "groovy". With fun colors and great design, these were great for adding to our Mother's Day cards! Useful for decorating folders and pencils boxes, you can never have too many stickers!
Custom Tote Bag
Tote bags are wonderful for shopping and toting things around, so we always enjoy receiving these in subscription boxes - especially when they are as cute as this! Featuring two kittens reading a book, this was very well designed and the material was quite thick. We love "bookish" quotes and were in need of a new library bag, so this was a great inclusion.
Nail File Set of Two
The next item we received was this set of two rainbow striped nail files. These mini files are great for packing in tight spaces, and for on the go! As a family of four, one of us is always snagging a nail and in need of a file, so I put one in my glovebox and one in my purse.
Hidden Zipper Scrunchie
This is the first time we've reviewed the Tween Full-Sized box. Though it is designed for girls, Hank was open to review this because he likes books and thought he could gift anything he didn't like to me. Because I am a 12 year old girl at heart, I was pretty stoked about this idea. Scrunchies are definitely a thing of my past, but because of the comeback, I have a few in my current stash. This velvet version is exceptional though - it has a zipper pocket!! Perfect for stashing money or a key while you are out and about, this is a great invention that will definitely come in handy for our local 5K!
Nail Stickers
Back in my day, I had an obsession with nail stickers, so I had to laugh when we received this set. Featuring suns, clouds, hearts, strawberries, and what appears to be Kirby (who was my first Game Boy game character) this set was perfect. My nails are really short and icky right now because of gardening, so I didn't want to waste these on nails in their current state, but am looking forward to trying these out soon!
Peace Sign Ring
The next item we received was this cute heart ring. This gold colored band has a green and cream enamel peace sign, and was a perfect fit for this month's theme. Decent in quality, this ring fit on my finger comfortably, and was a neat design. While I wasn't really in the market for a ring like this, my niece was obsessed, so it made for a fun little surprise for her.
Hydrogel Under Eye Patches
The last item we received were these bubble t eye patches. While he wouldn't let me take any pictures, Hank did try these out, but quickly peeled them off and gave them to me. Featuring Vitamin E and Green Tea, these were very hydrating and made my eyes look more awake. I always appreciate self care items from this box, and these were really fun.
Verdict
beTWEEN the Bookends is one of our favorite subscription boxes of all time, and this month Hank really enjoyed both book inclusions. Like I mentioned above, this is the full-sized box which is aimed towards girls, but fit a mother/son duo just fine. The included lifestyle items were a great mix of self care and fun, and all fit the monthly theme quite well. Overall we thought this box was curated nicely. We already can't wait to see what's in store for June!
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 $22.98, I find the $50.00/month cost extremely 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 June box.
What did you think of the Full Size BeTWEEN the Bookends Tween box?
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