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beTWEEN the Bookends Tween Review: “Cool for School” September 2024
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 box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
It's September and we are back into the swing of things! With two weeks of school under our belt, our routine is becoming a bit more manageable. Hank is now in 6th grade, and adjusting to his new schedule and subjects. We recently found out that our school will no longer be participating in AR for reading, so that was a bummer, but they will still be tracking reading minutes. Yay! Now it won't matter if the beTWEEN the Bookends book inclusions have a quiz or not - they will all count! We couldn't wait to see what kind of books and lifestyle items this month would contain. Read below to find out what September'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 Malala Yousafzai - "One child, one teacher, one pen and one book change the world." Also included is a hint about next month's theme - I'm thinking Halloween and haunted houses?!
Eleven-year-old Macy Weaver knows relationships are complicated. Fresh off her latest friendship breakup, she’s spent most of her summer break on her own. So when Macy’s mother decides to go back to college three states away, Macy jumps on the chance to move—anything for a fresh start. But Macy’s new home isn’t exactly what she expected. Her mother’s never around and her dad’s always working. Lonelier than ever, Macy sets her sights on finding a new best friend. When she meets Brynn, who’s smart and kind and already seems to have her whole life figured out—down to her future as a high fashion model—Macy knows she’s it. The only problem is that Brynn already has a BFF and, as everyone knows, you can only have one. Resorting to old habits, Macy turns one small lie into a whole new life—full of fantastic fashion and haute couture—but it isn't long before everything really falls apart. Ultimately, Macy must determine how to make things right and be true to herself—rather than chasing after the person she thinks she’s supposed to be.
Oh how well this book hits on the complications of friendships! My son is 11, and the friend circle can be a vicious thing. This book pretty much hit the nail on the head when it came to a few of the situations I have heard about, and Hank was comforted to know it gets better. A great read, Hank finished this book pretty quickly, and learned a few life lessons along the way.
Excited about her first year of middle school,CeCe and her friends anticipated all the fun they would have in their new school. That was until the BIG announcement. Her family was moving across the country. Her dad called it the 'great adventure', but to CeCe, it was the 'badventure'. She was starting a new school where she didn't have any friends. What would the kids at school think when they found out she lived in a weird house? What if they don't have a school band? What if they don't have girls' soccer? Would there then be a city league she could join? What if she never makes friends? So many "what ifs" for one eleven-year-old girl to think about. Why would her parents move at such an important time in her life and to such a weird house? And why does everyone in town think the house is haunted?
Personally, my favorite books we receive from Between the Bookends are the signed ones, and look what we have here! Not only did it include a signed name plate on the front, but also a signed post card! Yay!! While cool in itself, the book is also a great read! Hank found it to be pretty easy to get into, and discovered it wasn't just some old girly book, but actually a mystery! While he hasn't finished the entire thing yet, he is already intrigued by the fact that there is a second book. I'll chalk that up as a win!
This month we were extra lucky as we received a THIRD book! This book isn't exactly a novel you read, but a handwriting tutorial. Filled with 9 different styles of hand lettering, this acts as a guide for how to make these types of letters. We had a lot of fun trying them out and practicing, and found the directions very helpful. We were both happy about this inclusion!
Custom Straw Toppers
OMG I feel like such a goofball - when I first opened these silicone charms, I thought they were pencil toppers, not straw toppers! 🤦🏼♀️It makes a whole lot more sense now that I know their designed purpose! Anyways, these cute charms were designed for Between the Bookends and fit onto a variety of sizes of straws (or pencils 😆). A great way to keep germs off of an exposed straw end, these also add a bit of flare to your drink cup. While I haven't invested in a Stanley, I have seen similar charms on those, and am happy to be included in the trend with my off-brand cup!
Monthly Sticker Pack
Hank always enjoys stickers, and this month's versions were really bright and happy. With fun colors and a great design, we actually punched holes in the tops of these and added them to a piece of ribbon that adorned zinnia bouquets we have been delivering to the teachers. A great way to spruce up any decor, these stickers have multi-purpose uses!
Custom Wet/Dry Snack Bag
I love re-useable snack bags, and this one is my new favorite. Large enough to fit a sandwich, and housing a snap loop, this is a great inclusion for the start of school. With a gender neutral print, this bag is great for lunch boxes and car snacks all while washing up nicely. I'll take 10 more please!
Washi Tape
This month we received a note regarding the fountain pens, and instead received a set of washi tape. This tape is a repeat, but hasn't been sent in quite a while. We like washi tape and enjoyed the book designs, so it was fine with me, but Hank wished he would have gotten the fountain pens instead.
Backpack Freshie
Between the Bookends got it right when they sent a backpack freshie before things could get really stinky. This magical sachet is filled with scented beads that smell like Fruit Stripe gum. I made sure it was tied extra, extra tight, and stuffed it into Hank's baseball bag to help relieve our noses of sweaty baseball cleats and pants. It has so far worked great and now has me on a mission to find a pack of that zebra striped gum for old times sake!
The Galaxy According to CeCe Enamel Pin
Coordinating with this month's book, we received a pin that matches the cover. While Hank isn't huge into enamel pins unless they are sports related, I like them and added this star filled version to my jean jacket for a pop of color and fun.
Handmade Bookworm Scrunchie
Like I mentioned earlier, this box is the full-sized version, which includes items geared towards girls. Obviously, Hank is not a girl, so he just gives the jewelry and hair accessories to me. I thought scrunchies were never coming back after the 90s, but have enjoyed the fun designs 2024 has to offer. This version created by the Scrunchie Shop has all sorts of books strewn throughout the fabric - even including a bookworm! Adorable in design, the cotton fabric adds a fun (and trendy) look to my everyday pony tail and makes me feel a bit young again!
Pencil Shaped Lip Gloss
The next item we received was this pencil-shaped lip gloss. Scented like coconut, this clear gloss is seriously the cutest design I have ever laid eyes on. With a wand applicator and twist off top, this is small enough to stow away in your pocket, and leaves kids super jealous. A great addition to this back to school box!
Bookmark
The last item we received was another "The Galaxy According to CeCe" themed item. This bookmark is made out of nice card stock with a beautiful moon design on the front and a silver, glittery tassel on the top. Coordinating with the book and pin perfectly, this was a great way to mark pages without dog earring them, and will last a long, long time.
Verdict
beTWEEN the Bookends is one of our favorite subscription boxes of all time, and this month was another hit. Like I mentioned above, this is the full-sized box which is aimed towards girls, but fits a mother/son duo just fine. The included lifestyle items were a great mix of functional back to school items and fun - all fitting the monthly theme well. Overall we thought this box was curated nicely and loved the useful items like the backpack freshie and scrunchies, along with the hand lettering book! We already can't wait to see what's in store for October.
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 extremely reasonable, as the lifestyle items help shape this box into an entire experience.
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-... read more.
I am a wild and crazy mom of 2 boys and work in the public education system as an Indigenous Support Advocate. I love all things outdoors, beauty, crafts, and food. Living the simple life in the country, we spend a lot of time hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Oh, and I absolutely adore my high school sweetheart aka my husband of almost 17 years!
I am a wild and crazy mom of 2 boys and work in the public education system as an Indigenous Support Advocate. I love all things outdoors, beauty, crafts, and food. Living the simple life in the country, we spend a lot of time hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Oh, and I absolutely adore my high school sweetheart aka my husband of almost 17 years!
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Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.
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.